C-Suite Moms: Jessica Hung of Parasol Co On How To Successfully Juggle Motherhood and Work

An Interview With Dina Aletras

Dina Aletras
Authority Magazine
Published in
9 min readDec 31, 2024

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1 . Pick a sport your kids love (join a team), join them in it, and make it a consistent routine.

2 . Clean the house or cook together — teach them valuable skills through shared chores.

3 . Choose a weekend activity to do together weekly, planning it out a month in advance.

4 . Schedule a family vacation each quarter.

5 . Bring them to work occasionally and treat them as young adults.

In today’s fast-paced business world, women in executive roles face the unique challenge of balancing high-powered careers with the demands of motherhood. Despite progress in workplace equality, female executives often carry a disproportionate share of domestic responsibilities. How do these successful women manage both spheres of their lives so effectively? In this interview series, we would like to explore this intricate balance and we are talking to women executives from various industries who are also mothers, to share their insights and strategies for successfully juggling their professional and personal lives. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Hung. Jessica is a life learner with a strong work ethic, dedicated to helping others and staying true to herself.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us the “backstory” behind what brought you to this point in your career?

I am a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan, and I began working at age 14. My journey has always been about contributing what I can to families and future generations, and I’ll keep working as long as I am able. I feel fortunate to enjoy work and to be excited by new learning opportunities — whether it’s diving into something completely unfamiliar or exploring new ways to make things happen.

Starting as a student captivated by film, I became a CPA in Chicago, then a mother of two, an entrepreneur with my own practice, and acquired a boutique education business. I’ve explored real estate investment and, ultimately, co-founded Parasol Co after my business partner, a parent of five, struggled to find quality diapers for sensitive skin. This inspired me to create a solution that meets the needs of parents and babies alike.. I know this is just one chapter in an ongoing journey, with much more yet to discover.

Can you share with us how many children you have?

My son Eric is 24 years old and daughter Nikki is 20 years old.

Where were you in your career when your child was born/became part of your family? I had Eric at 27 and Nikki at 31 while working as a CPA for a Fortune 500 company.

Did you always want to be a mother? Can you explain?

Yes, I’ve always known I wanted to be a mother; it felt natural, something we’re inherently designed to do.

Did motherhood happen when you thought it would or did it take longer?

If it took longer, what advice would you have for another woman in your shoes? I planned to have kids before age 30 and experienced two miscarriages along the way. The first was at three months before I had Eric, and the second at four months before I had Nikki, when the baby’s heartbeat simply stopped. It didn’t deter me from wanting children; I believed they were gone for a reason — perhaps they just weren’t ready.

Can you tell us a bit about what your day-to-day schedule looks like?

I start my day with a 30–40 minute meditation, a good morning kiss for my boyfriend, and feeding and walking my dog, Pepper. Then it’s water, coffee, and a full morning of work. I have a light lunch, followed by a quick walk with Pepper before getting back to work. I work out around 3–4 pm and enjoy a nice dinner with family or friends. The evening wraps up with some social media, movies, books, or business calls with Asia until it’s time to call it a day and head to bed.

Has being a parent changed your career path? Can you explain?

Yes, becoming a parent definitely shifted my career path. When I was younger, I felt less responsibility and didn’t have as strong a drive to make more money. Supporting just myself versus a family of three is a very different task.

In today’s world, we often have kids before truly knowing what we want for ourselves. In the past, many women may have primarily aspired to be mothers and family members. But for modern women, the list of desires is long — appearance, financial success, social status, equal power, health, knowledge, and self-image, to name a few. Simply being a nurturing mother is only part of the picture. We often don’t have much support either, adding stress and anxiety and leading some to consider focusing on everything but parenthood.

I didn’t think much about many of these pressures initially, nor did I fully understand what I was getting into until I was in it. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss. Ultimately, I believe in having the courage to follow what you truly want without worrying about others’ opinions. Challenges will always arise, but they come with solutions. In fact, a life with no problems might be the biggest problem of all. Isn’t life more about experiencing than overthinking?

Has being a mother made you better at your job? How so?

I’d say it depends. Being a mother didn’t really impact my work as a CPA or my real estate investments, but it has shaped everything I do for Parasol Co. As a baby product company, it takes me back to that magical time of having my first child — the excitement, the sleepless nights, the feedings, and endless diaper changes. Human connections are deeply emotional, and it’s a wonderful thing. Naturally, I want my diapers to be the best and softest to comfort and protect babies. It’s hard not to be emotionally involved in every decision I make as a mother. That energy is powerful, and many of the parents I speak with resonate with the same feeling — we don’t even need words to connect!

What are the biggest challenges you face being a working mom?

The biggest challenge is myself. What do I truly want? I’m a spiritual person — I love reading, getting lost in unfamiliar countries, and dream of going on meditation camp with no iPhone or laptop for a while, just to experience life as it unfolds. Yet, I’ve built a business that demands my attention, a responsibility I chose to take on as a mother and business woman. I know that many of my struggles are self-created. Can I let go of self-imposed expectations and still stay connected in a world increasingly powered by technology and AI? Most of my challenges aren’t about the work itself but about my relationship with work, money, family, and my own sense of purpose.

Are there any stories you remember from the early days of parenthood that you want to share?

I don’t naturally have large breasts, but post-pregnancy, my breasts grew so much. I remember the first day I breastfed my son — his head was actually smaller than my breast! I couldn’t believe the scene; it was surreal to realize how drastically our bodies can change to carry and nourish a baby. What an incredible machine the human body is…

Are there any meaningful activities or traditions you’ve made up or implemented that have enhanced your time with your family? Can you share a story or example?

I take my kids back to Taiwan, my home country, every year until they turn 17. They’ve learned to speak Mandarin and visit their grandparents and extended family there. Taiwan has one of the highest percentages of vegetarians in the world, and a few years ago, this influence led my daughter to become a vegetarian — she’s now fully vegan. Together, we’ve traveled to at least 10 different countries and plan to keep exploring the world for the rest of our lives.

We all live in a world with many deadlines and incessant demands for our time and attention. That inevitably makes us feel rushed and we may feel that we can’t spare the time to be “fully present” with our children. Can you share with our readers 5 strategies about how we can create more space in our lives in order to give our children more quality attention?

1 . Pick a sport your kids love (join a team), join them in it, and make it a consistent routine.

2 . Clean the house or cook together — teach them valuable skills through shared chores.

3 . Choose a weekend activity to do together weekly, planning it out a month in advance.

4 . Schedule a family vacation each quarter.

5 . Bring them to work occasionally and treat them as young adults.

How do you inspire your child to “dream big”? Can you give an example or story?

I never ask them to dream big — how can we teach them to pursue something we don’t fully know how to reach ourselves? Instead, I share my work, my struggles, and my perspectives with them, giving them space and embracing their differences. Neither of my kids is interested in my line of work, and they each have distinct interests, strengths, and personalities. Perhaps the best role model is simply someone who is at peace with herself; kids will learn from that naturally.

How do you define success in both your career and your family life, and how has this definition evolved over time?

For me, success in both career and family life is about meaningful contribution and genuine connection. Early in my career, success was defined by hard work, achieving financial stability, and establishing myself professionally. As a first-generation immigrant and a mother, I valued providing for my family and building something that reflected my dedication and creativity. But over time, success has taken on a more personal meaning. It’s now about making a lasting, positive impact, both in my work and in the lives of those I love.

What are your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that inspire you to be a better parent? Can you explain why you like them?

A book that’s had a significant impact on me is The Complete Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. It’s not about religion but rather explores the universe and why we are the way we are. I also highly recommend the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once — a hilarious and deeply philosophical sci-fi film, and one of the best I’ve seen from Asia. I appreciate these works because they help us understand why we, as adults and parents, are the way we are today. To truly address challenges, we need to understand their root causes. When we as parents gain insight and self-awareness, everything we do with ourselves and our kids becomes more harmonious and enjoyable.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote” that you share or plan to share with your kids?

Embrace the unknown; let challenges reveal who you’re meant to be.

If you could sit down with every new parent and offer life hacks, must-have products, or simple advice, what would be on your list?

1. Keep “dating” your partner weekly to stay connected.

2. Let others help you in their own way.

3. Allow yourself downtime — be lazy and step away from work for a bit.

4. Be a friend to yourself.

Thank you so much for these insights! We really appreciate your time.

About the Interviewer: Dina Aletras boasts over 20 years of expertise in the corporate media industry. She possesses an in-depth understanding of growth, strategy, and leadership, having held significant roles at some of the UK’s largest media organizations. At Reach PLC, the UK’s largest tabloid publisher, she served in various director capacities. Additionally, she held leadership roles at The Independent Magazine Group and DMGT. Her extensive knowledge spans editorial, digital, revenue, sales, and advertising.

Upon relocating to Switzerland, Dina took on the responsibility of managing and promoting the international section of Corriere del Ticino — CdT.ch pioneering the English page “onthespot.” She also was the Co-Editor of Southern Switzerland’s first official Italian and English bilingual magazine.

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Authority Magazine
Authority Magazine

Published in Authority Magazine

In-depth Interviews with Authorities in Business, Pop Culture, Wellness, Social Impact, and Tech. We use interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable.

Dina Aletras
Dina Aletras

Written by Dina Aletras

Corporate media expert with 20+ years of experience

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