Passion, Design & Global Business: The Woman Behind Harlowe Lighting – CineD Focus Check ep108

by Felix TappeinerMarch 19^th, 2026

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In this episode, we sit down with Helena, founder of Harlowe (previously Hobolite) and CEO of AEC Lighting Solutions, calling in from her Shanghai office fresh off a trip through Europe. Helena’s story is anything but ordinary: raised in the Chinese countryside, self-taught in art from age five, trained as a mechanical engineer, and now running a globally recognized premium lighting brand with 26 years of manufacturing heritage behind it.

We talk about: The origin story of Harlowe and what makes it different in a saturated market, and how Helena balances engineering precision with a designer’s eye, navigating a male-dominated industry as a female CEO. She also gives us her take on the role of AI in the future of content creation — and why human storytelling still wins. Raising a son as a single mother while running a global business, Helena and Johnnie also discuss patents, product innovation, tariffs, and building for the long game. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a gear enthusiast, or someone building something of your own, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.

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To learn more about Harlowe, head on over to their website, as well as our previous coverage of their products.

(00:24) – Introduction

(01:08) – What is Harlowe? The Brand Story

(04:41) – Helena’s Childhood & Falling in Love with Art

(07:46) – Breaking Down the Business: Engineering Meets Design

(08:44) – Women Leading Companies in China

(10:59) – Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry

(12:41) – The Design Philosophy Behind Harlowe

(15:12) – Competing Against the Big Players

(17:52) – Behind the Scenes: Where Ideas Come From

(21:35)  – Win-Win Collaborations & Business Model

(22:22) – Patents: Are They Worth It?

(24:40) – Global Tariffs & Running an International Business

(26:59) – The Future of Content Creation & AI

(31:22) – Balancing Family Life as a Single Mom & CEO

(34:33) – Will Her Son Take Over the Business?

(36:01) – Hobbies: Painting, Calligraphy & Neuroscience

(37:02) – Helena Turns the Tables – Questions for Johnnie

We hope you enjoyed this episode!
Do you have feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us at [email protected].