#MomCEO100 Club, is a Women and Mom Entrepreneur Empowerment Program established by GMI for Seed Stage Startups. It aims to link the key resources such as knowledge, skills, technology, talent, funding and social networks needed by entrepreneurs to succeed in the early stages of business planning. MomCEO100 and Women Entrepreneurs Club Fulfilling Ourselves By Empowering Others #MomCEO100 Club, is a Women and Mom Entrepreneur Empowerment Program established by GMI for Seed Stage Startups. It aims to link the key resources such as knowledge, skills, technology, talent, funding and social networks needed by entrepreneurs to succeed in the early stages of business planning. #MomStory100 Project also supports Mom Entrepreneurs to develop their own narrative to demonstrate their social entrepreneurship. GMI also has supported NDS (Next Door Stories) Podcast program, which was launched early 2024, founded by an all-female team with international backgrounds, hoping to feature more women founders, investors, professionals as well as changemakers. Listen to the stories NOW. As known, in every industry and aspect of life, the GENDER GAP is really between mothers and everybody else. There are many businesses owned by mothers that lack the professional support they need to help them grow and reach much needed financial resources and social capital, while their male counterparts have better access to those supports, networks, and resources. Join The Club Guidelines Who Engages with #MomCEO100 Club? Women and Mom entrepreneurs Women and Mom investors Angel and Impact investors Venture philanthropists VC network partners Leadership coaches Organizational development consultants Investment and financial advisors Brand and UI designers Community leaders on women's issues Heads of foundations Mental Health Counselors Heads of social organizations Legal advisors Journalists and writers etc. GMI's Holistic Approach to Support Mom Entrepreneurs Peer Mentorship One-to-one or more-to-one professional support groups Toolkits Innovation tools such as design thinking, business canvas, etc. Funding Resources Connecting with Mom investors and influencers Social Support Volunteers, counselors, and coaches (if required) Personalized Linking to resources as required Population of Focus Mom Entrepreneurs in -1-1 stages of business development, especially those who are underserved and underrepresented regardless of social, cultural, and economic background. Target Stages Target Stages From -1 to 0: Pre-seed stage An idea has surpassed the concept stage. From 0 to 1: Seed stage Founders are first getting their operations off the ground. They are trying, but have had no success yet. From 1-10: Early stage The idea evolves until it becomes a mature product or service in the market. In other words, MVP launch stage. Advisory Group Cao Xiaoqian Co-founded two social innovation organizations, coach and educator Helen Fu Founder of Yangtze Institute of ESG and Green Finance Jana Song Founder of DAZILIFE Quality Teahouse, 13 yrs in equity investment market Wang Yanran IR at SenseTime, with 10+ years of experience in the AI industry Kate Xu VC investor, venture builder, bilingual podcast host and producer, specializing in cross-border and emerging markets Serena Zhao HR Consultant with 10+ years experience working with entrepreneurs Mandy Huang Social innovation entrepreneur in the field of sexuality and gender, former sustainability strategy consultant Yi Wang Founder and Designer of UMUTOPIA, an independent women's fashion brand Vivian Chang CEO and Founder of MissGreen, a lifestyle brand that has been providing pure plant-based products since 2014 Maggie Tong Founder of Youyang Cosmetic Distributor and Facial Spa Center Belinda Zhang Fabric Designer, Founder of ZhiWuWuFang Design Studio, advocate on sustainable fabric products Rene Ni Fashion Designer and Founder of DuiWei, a sustainable fashion brand for women Wenjing (Evelyn) Li Founder of iLEAD, M&A Workforce Planning Expert, 14 years focus on Organization and Talent development Olivia Zhou Co-founder of AI Company/ESG Coach & Senior Consultant Online Community Event Updates Below are the things we have done in our club based on the members' need. Empower-Her Series 1. We developed a small business plan template for mom entrepreneurs to use and submit their initial business ideas. 2. We formed more-to-one supporting groups and ran online brainstorming sessions to discuss their business ideas and interate their business plans. 3. We completed the first online mock-up roadshow and invited real investors, brand experts as well as leadership coach to join the review committee to question and help mom entrepreneurs to further nail down the business plan and get needed professional and funding resources. Fulfill-Yourself Series Activity #1: Daily Contents or news clippings; Activity #2: Daily Q&A to find solutions and seek peers' support; Activity #3: Daily Business Needs Update; Activity #4: Thematic talks or workshops online; Activity #5: Monthly BP Pitch Day; Activity #6: Monthly Virtual Exhibition Day. “According to the more-to-one group discussion, my initial business plan was further improved based on peers' feedback. I felt that I was pushed forward by the team, and I did not stop. This mock-up roadshow is all about learning, and there are a lot of competitors in the field, so finding a unique entry point is key to my startup business in supporting high school students with mental health challenges.” Mai Miao

The GlobalMoms Initiative, or GMI, is a nonprofit and voluntary Initiative of moms from all over the world. The objective of GMI is to support every mom as she strives to achieve physical and mental well being, as well as financial independence. Our Story Who We Are The GlobalMoms Initiative, or GMI, is a nonprofit and voluntary Initiative of moms from all over the world. The objective of GMI is to support every mom as she strives to achieve physical and mental well being, as well as financial independence. Furthermore, GMI will work to link global moms with the social, professional and financial resources they are seeking while providing ongoing assistance and encouragement. Mission Unite globalmoms and inspire the world with MomQ! Vision A new world where everyone values MomQ and every mom reaches full potential! Values Safety, Respect, Trust, Diversity, Inclusion, Infinity, Accountability and Sustainability GMI's Operation Model GMI operates as a volunteer organization, with no commercial interests. Any revenue earned will be donated to approved causes or organizations relevant to our goals, including to GMI to run its platform. Who We Serve GMI aims to reach and support moms who are underserved or under-represented, such as moms of children with disabilities, full-time moms in crisis, juggling working moms, struggling mom entrepreneurs at -1 to 1 business stages, regardless of age, geography, nationality, social status etc. MomQ MomQ is a word created by GMI, it refers to mom-power and leadership. The assumption behind GMI is that every mom has MomQ! In order to explore the characteristics consisting of MomQ, GMI has launched #MomStory100 to interview moms around the globe to share their life journey. #MomStory100 also contributes to GMI MomQ action research for generalizing critical findings to redefine Mom identity. For the detailed reseach plan, please email to info@globalmomsinitiative.com. Learn More “We face multiple challenges in our changing world, but one factor remains constant: the timeless importance of mothers and their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation. By rewarding their efforts and enhancing their living conditions, we can secure a better future for all” - UN Secretary-General, 2009. We can achieve our vision by using the most effective approaches possible. To adopt the promising approaches from other organisations working with our population of focus, GMI expands its partnerships and engages a diverse range of stakeholders. This way we also avoid duplication of work. By working with other networks and coalitions, activists and influencers, community and social organisations, entrepreneurs and venture foundations, beneficiaries and research institutions, women's organisations and other trustees, we can achieve our intended impact. And our strategies will guide us there: 1. Reach as many globalmoms as possible through action pillars and a strong professional volunteer team. Facilitate moms’ networking and sharing to expand our digital and global social capital to realize the changes moms need. Develop a network of local, regional and global moms communities for change. 2. Increase moms’ self-awareness and support moms to break social stigmas through #MomStory100 to redefine mom identity and reimagine moms' possibilities; the collected MomStories will also contribute to #MomQActionResearch. 3. Support woman and mom entrepreneurs to establish their own business, break social barriers and realize career aspiration through #MomCEO100. Link relevant financial and non-financial resources to moms in crisis. 4. Engage local, regional and global partners and stakeholders in GMI’s work to adopt the promising approaches in working with our population of focus. This leads to the following types of negative impact across societies and cultures: the decline of individual well-being, loss of social cohesion, gender and economic inequality. Theory of Change Imagine a world where everyone values MomQ and every mom reaches full potential. At GMI we manage impact by Theory of Change. We incorporate new experiences, evidence, and understanding to develop the most effective approaches possible to achieve the intended impact. Taking on the mindset of a sceptic, we use pressure testing to find out where the gaps are and where further research is required. We collaborate with our stakeholders to confirm that needs of our target population haven’t been sufficiently addressed and when addressed, will lead to significant progress toward our intended impact. The given Theory of Change is our conceptual roadmap for how GMI aims to achieve its goal. The Problem “We face multiple challenges in our changing world, but one factor remains constant: the timeless importance of mothers and their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation. By rewarding their efforts and enhancing their living conditions, we can secure a better future for all” - UN Secretary-General, 2009. Nearly two billion of the worlds’ population are mothers. They are not only caregivers but are also breadwinners for their families. They are individuals with their dreams and aspirations and each of them has a valuable story to share with the world. Their voices are not heard enough, especially of those underserved and underrepresented moms. They face various challenges at home, at workplaces, in personal and social settings. Their needs and problems havens’t been addressed sufficiently. This leads to the following types of negative impact across societies and cultures: the decline of individual well-being, loss of social cohesion, gender and economic inequality. We can achieve our vision by using the most effective approaches possible. To adopt the promising approaches from other organisations working with our population of focus, GMI expands its partnerships and engages a diverse range of stakeholders. This way we also avoid duplication of work. By working with other networks and coalitions, activists and influencers, community and social organisations, entrepreneurs and venture foundations, beneficiaries and research institutions, women's organisations and other trustees, we can achieve our intended impact. And our strategies will guide us there: 1. Reach as many globalmoms as possible through action pillars and a strong professional volunteer team. Facilitate moms’ networking and sharing to expand our digital and global social capital to realize the changes moms need. Develop a network of local, regional and global moms communities for change. 2. Increase moms’ self-awareness and support moms to break social stigmas through #MomStory100 to redefine mom identity and reimagine moms' possibilities; the collected MomStories will also contribute to #MomQActionResearch. 3. Support woman and mom entrepreneurs to establish their own business, break social barriers and realize career aspiration through #MomCEO100. Link relevant financial and non-financial resources to moms in crisis. 4. Engage local, regional and global partners and stakeholders in GMI’s work to adopt the promising approaches in working with our population of focus. The Solution Global Outcome GMI Theory of Change guides us towards the world where MomQ is valued and accepted across the cultures and societies, where moms are given support from local and global communities to transforms themselves , and where moms as global citizens can fully contribute to the stability, progress and long-term development of the world. Why Moms and Everyone? Everybody on earth is born and birth is given by women. If you exist, you have/had a mom. You yourself might be or may become one. Various studies aside, it’s clear that moms need support in many ways. They, like any other human beings, have their interests and hobbies, personal and professional life aspirations, dreams and goals. After becoming a mom of one two three or more children, a woman has extra workload in life, that without support from workplaces, families, and societies in general, they hardly exist, living from task to task. Their mental and physical conditions worsen, their productivity decreases, and their dreams can slowly fade away. You can see it through your mom’s story, possibly through your own story, through your friend’s story, through your colleague’s story or a neighbor’s story. Try to observe what a mom’s day looks like consciously and mindfully - ask her to tell you her story, ask her what she would do if anything was possible and what you hear may change your day or even your life. Each mom wants to and can do so much more not only for herself but also for others, it is in her nature to care more and care better. Most moms don’t speak out and don’t reach out because most of their time and energy is spent on their families and jobs. Their voices are less heard, but being a mother develops many skills, from which we all benefit. Societies should include mothers and support their well-being all we need to do is listen to what they have to say. You can contribute to moms’ well-being while enjoying the process of impact-making. Your values change, your network grows and remember that moms give back! Close Gender Gap for Moms and Everyone, with and through GMI. Become A Volunteer

A nonprofit initiative that connects mothers around the world with social, professional, and financial resources as they strive to achieve physical and mental wellbeing. Meet the Team Volunteer Operation Team International Advisory Board Youth Advisory Board 100 Hours Volunteer Club Operation Team+ Chai Chai GMI art+ Program Advisor Faye Yang GMI art+ Program Advisor Margaret Nie MomStory100 Program Lead Qiran Zhang English MomStory Editor Christina Ren Translator and MomStory Editor Jane Li Founder and Chief Volunteer Mari International Community Coordinator Sharon Liu UX/UI Designer Eliz Yang Space4Moms Project Coordinator Joanna Cheung WellBeing4Moms Lead Nessie Editor, WellBeing4Moms Program Coordinator Sun Lingxi Jobs4Moms Co-Initiator Eva Wang Jobs4Moms Program Lead Kate Xu MomCEO100 and Women Entrepreneurs Program Lead Petru Simion International Youth Volunteer Team Lead Zheng Xiao 10-Months Writing Program Coordinator Eva, Wang Yiman Editor and Event Planner Liqing Pan MomStory Editor and Partnership Building Pheobe Cui 10-Months Writing Challenge Coordinator Ziwei Luo English Podcast Producer and City Chapter Lead (CA) Back to Top Operation Team International Advisory Team International Advisory Board Ms. Charmaine du Plessis Charmaine du Plessis is a global marketing communications professional and has held senior executive leadership roles in marketing, corporate and strategic communication, public relations, and brand and reputation management. Her career is multi-sectoral and she enjoys working across cultures. She has worked and partnered with organizations in South Africa, United States of America, Dubai, India, and Malaysia. Her expertise, as integrated marketing, and corporate communications specialist, covers various aspects, including the development, implementation, and management of numerous integrated marketing communication strategies. She currently resides in Beijing, China. Dr. May Farid She is a political scientist studying civil society, policy and development in contemporary China and beyond. She currently researches education policy in China as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Stanford's Graduate School of Education. Her research centers on the interplay between citizen initiatives and state policy and practice, and the implications of this dynamic for development and governance. Ordinary citizens are increasingly taking individual and collective initiative to address development challenges. Ms. Sonja Ling Sonja has worked as a renewable energy policy advocate and currently works at Sun Path Electric, a socially conscious solar company in Seattle. She is the program director for Global Women Partners in Philanthropy, a project that helps donors worldwide become effective philanthropists in their own communities by adopting the collective giving grantmaking model developed by the Washington Women’s Foundation. Sonja is the mom of two kids and believes we must all take local action on climate change. For over ten years, she served on the board of Washington Women for Climate Action Now (formerly CoolMom), a Seattle-based nonprofit that engages and empowers women to lead equitable climate action in Washington state. She has lived and worked in Taiwan and during the past decade she and her family have spent extended periods of time in both Beijing and Kunming, China. She holds a BA from the University of Washington and MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford, where she focused her research on solar power in Qinghai, China. Ms. Marta Lopez Marta Cámara, also known as Constanza Chesnott, is a screenwriter and fiction author with Penguin Random House, celebrated for over a decade of compelling novels that captivate readers across languages. Her works, translated into English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, bring her storytelling to diverse audiences worldwide. In addition to novels, Marta has written limited series adaptations, original screenplays, and specialized adaptations of Chinese series for foreign markets. With over 20 years as an experienced copyright lawyer, she bridges the creative and legal fields with expertise. In September 2024, Marta participated as a writer and script supervisor in the renowned 48-Hour Film Challenge in Shanghai, where her team’s short film True Artist earned seven nominations. Her passion for culture and exploration is matched by her international life experience—having lived in Taipei, Singapore, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, Spain, and China. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Chinese, embodying a truly global perspective. Ms. Jasmine Lau Jasmine Lau is a social entrepreneur, educator, and international community builder. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of PIM (Purpose in Motion, formerly Philanthropy in Motion), which empowers young people with education, resources, and networks to become effective leaders and changemakers. She is part of the inaugural board of advisors to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers initiative, which aims to promote collective citizen action globally to accomplish the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Jasmine has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in social entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum as a Global Shaper. She is a recipient of the Richard Rockefeller Fellowship and the Hong Kong Youth Service Award. Ms. Mari Sharashidze With the educational background in Social and Political Sciences, Mari has worked in non-profit organizational development in Georgia and has seen first-hand that empowering women and girls can bring transformational improvements in families, communities, and societies. She has worked in education industry for over five years while also volunteering for women’s empowerment and well-being in Beijing, China. She has seen the importance of people’s engagement in actions towards positive impact making.With some knowledge in partnership development, community engagement, child and youth education, strategy planning, policy advocacy and parenting, she’s here to contribute to the overall well-being of GlobalMoms. Ms. Wang Le A Chinese mom who lives in New York. She comes with many years’ experience in international development and the Humanatrain sector in Asia and Africa. She worked both on the front line supporting children and mothers in need and influencing policy and political debates at United Nations through inter-government processes. Wang Le also brings experts in Children’s rights, non-profit management and resilience-building for the most vulnerable groups in society. Her life and work in a multi-culture environment have given her a unique perspective on inclusion and diversity. From the most remote area of northern Kenya to the metropolitan of shanghai or New York, mothers play the most important role to ensure their kids are healthy and achieve their full potential in development. This is why the global mums’ initiative is an excellent platform to connect them and empower them to be the best of themselves and be the best for their children and society! Researcher Zhao Jie Zhao Jie has been engaged in women's studies for more than 30 years, and is one of the important promoters and founders of social gender and development in Yunnan. She is currently a board member of the China Women's Studies Association and is also a principal expert adviser to relevant government departments and civil society organizations on projects to promote gender equality and the development of Women/girls. She is a leader in academic theory, policy advocacy and action research, and has extensive experience in gender analysis, participatory ideas and methods, and feminist fieldwork, her works are abundant, and some of her ideas and pioneering research have been praised by colleagues at home and abroad. She retired from the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences in 2011 and continues to promote gender equality in China and Yunnan. Ms. Kitty Li A Hong Kong returned overseas Chinese youth leader and one of the top ten female entrepreneurs in the Chinese education industry. As the founder of a leading high-end brand in the Chinese family education sector, she has made significant contributions to the development of the Chinese family education market with her practical and unique insights. She has access to high-end educational toys for infants and young children worldwide, as well as abundant resources of family education experts. She pays special attention to the needs of contemporary women and mothers, accumulating rich experiences and venturing into areas such as family offices, law firms, and mommy clubs. She pursues the charm of lifelong growth and is passionate about empowering others. Dr. Samantha Sibanda Born in Zimbabwe and working in Beijing. Founder of Appreciate Africa Network an organization that is there to promote the values of African socio-cultural and economic contributions in the world. She is also the brains behind Pride Of Africa Asia Awards which aims to appreciate African individuals who are making remarkable contributions in Asia Pacific. Ms. Aisha Moffett Aisha Moffett is the Founder and CEO of CORE, a women’s empowerment organization that has successfully built a global community of women that focuses on their holistic wellbeing. Core women share their truth to help each other thrive in their personal and professional lives. Currently, CORE women are from over 30 countries. Aisha is a professional life and team coach. Partnering with individual and teams globally to move forward toward achieving their goals. She’s also a story maven and “trailblazing spouse” that is passionate about empowering women to embrace and live out their story with intention and purpose. Prior to living in China, Aisha had 22 years of operations management experience in the technology, sales, marketing, and human resources industries in the United States. Ms. Xie Yun Ms. Xie Yun (Evelyn), the Secretary of the Board of Directors of WanXiang Trust and the Deputy General Manager of the Family Office. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from Tongji University and a Master's degree in International Law from the University of Amsterdam. She is a distinguished financial expert in the Zhejiang Province Financial Talent Expert Database. In 2012, she participated in the establishment of Zhejiang Province's first child education trust, which won the Securities Times Award for the Most Innovative Trust Plan of the Year. In 2014, she was involved in the establishment of the country's first charity trust for natural protection, and in 2019, she created the first posthumous will trust in the country, receiving the Securities Times Annual Innovation Award. She is the initiator of the Peining Charity Trust and one of the initiators of the 'She CAN’ Charity Fund project. Due to her family's art collection background, she serves as a researcher at the Zhejiang Lanting Wang Xizhi Art Research Institute and the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Jade Carving Professional Committee. Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Youth Advisory Board Back to Top Youth Advisory Board Kate, Xu Ting VC investor, venture builder, bilingual podcast host and producer, specializing in cross-border and emerging markets since 2017. "The women/female friends I have met in my life have showed me the limitless possibilities of what it means to be a woman. I am very blessed to have met them and have learned from them to follow your heart, your passion, and to live the life you want. There is magic , strength and power in female bonding." Petru Simon Petru is a seasoned product manager, with +5 years of experience in entrepreneurship, scale-ups and innovation. More recently, also a student in International Development and Management at Lund University (Sweden) and as of latest relocated to Beijing. He is passionate about development across a variety of topics, from climate and wellbeing to social change and women empowerment. Susan Su a Grade 9 Student from Beijing Chen Jinglun Middle School and is about to entering the high school study. Susan has a positive, kind, and artistic heart, from an early age, she was keen on music, art and charity activities, as well as the cooking culture of different countries. She was exposed to a wide range of social issues at different stages of her life, including education and protection of children with special needs, public art and healing, animal protection and scientific development. Susan used to donate 100 copies of her children's book“Dandelions on the Windowsill: Stories of talking and listening” (the book cover was illustrated by her) to more than 30 orphanages. She also actively supported international organizations and cultural exchange programs such as Unicef, Finnish Embassy in Beijing and GlobalMoms Initiative. Abuya E. Best Abuya E. Best, from Nigeria. She currently works with the Edo State Government as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Alongside her main profession, she is a passionate UI/UX designer, leading the design team at Kaku Technologies, a platform that focuses on reading, writing, and publishing books online. My skills also extend to No-code web development. One of the roles she cherishs most is her position as a volunteer facilitator at DigiGirls. There, she has the opportunity to empower Nigerian girls and women by teaching them how to build e-commerce websites, enabling them to bring their businesses online. In her spare time, she enjoys brainstorming ideas that can benefit her community and nation at large. Additionally, she has a keen interest in learning about foreign cultures. Sharon Liu Sharon is a mindfulness coach and UX designer currently based in Hainan, China. She has a background in contemporary fine art and visual cultures. As a coach, she supports clients’ sense of self-belonging which empowers them to move through life with easeful authenticity. As a designer, she specializes in working with clients whose work focuses on wellbeing and social impact. Designer of the first GMI website. Lizzy, Zhao Yan Lizzy, Zhao Yan, Graduated from New York University with a degree in Sociology, she concentrated on Gender Studies during her undergraduate years. Since 2016, she has served as the Founder of Sun Village Special Fund, a program that provides financial support for children of long-term prisoners in China, enabling them to visit their parents each year. From middle school onward, Yan has been committed to charitable causes. During her undergraduate studies in Sociology, she focused on Gender and Family, where her academic exploration deepened her understanding of the social challenges and structural limitations faced by women. Looking ahead, she aspires to build international bridges that connect women across different countries and generations, fostering mutual empowerment and creating shared spiritual spaces where women’s voices can be heard and valued. Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Back to Top

Written by Margaret Nie English Translation by Christina   When I was young, we lived a very poor life. I remember that at primary school, we used the kerosene lamp. Back then, there was only one available, my brother and I tried hard to study under the dim light through the charred glass. My mother sat at a corner of the bed, holding needle and thread, either working on shoe soles or sweaters. After decades, that scene still lingers in my head. Our bed was old style, a handmade, red-wooden structure with three sides of fence. That was my mother’s dowry. The two sides of the opening were engraved with patterns, the old, rude flowers. The carpenter’s skills were not as delicate. It adopted the mortise and tenon joint. The header was engraved with patterns, the details of which I can’t remember clearly. But what I do is that there was a footboard under the bed. I could make it to the bed with its help. My cousin said once she came to our home, seeing the little me laying on the footboard asleep, which made her feel sad.   Back then, I was always jealous of the girls in my class wearing all sorts of sweaters. Because its diverse patterns best represented the craftsman’s skill and aesthetic level. Many classmates’ mothers were very good at knitting. At that time when supplies were scarce, females were mostly knitting professionals. They were able to make slippers, gloves, scarfs, sweaters and pants at home. I can’t remember how many sweaters my mother made me. During idle winters, women at countryside would sit together to make cotton shoes and sweaters, while my mother was not a skilled one. She sometimes took the needle to neighbours to learn how to knit, then started all over again back home. One year, a few classmates gradually wore rainbow-coloured sweaters, which was made from mohair of seven colours, furry, bright and so beautiful. I cried to my mother to get one too, but she didn’t have enough money to get yarns of so many colours. Then she torn down my father’s brown pants, adding another colour, and roughly made me a dual-coloured sweater. When I saw the completion, it didn’t have pretty patterns, neither bright colours. I felt it very ugly and didn’t even want to wear it in front of my classmates. When it was quite cold, I wore that piece inside plus a jacket outside to hide it, because it was barely worth of bragging about for an eight, night year old girl. I even wanted it to be worn out quickly so that I didn’t need to wear it any more. Then I learnt to knit myself, gloves, scarfs, and even vests and sweaters. I also inherited my mother’s capability, starting all over again, without any satisfactory works. When I was 18 years old, my fellow workers also loved to knit shoes and sweaters in winter. Some of them did it for boyfriends. I learnt to knit a sweater for my father. It had odd sleeves and smaller collar; anyway, I completed it. Then I brought it to him; my mother said he was very happy about it and talked to others about his girl being able to do that. I knitted a pair of slippers for my mother, which was made from red yarns. It was also barely good; however, after over 10 years, it is still there back home. Then my mother bought a lot of slippers, while only this red one remains impressive. With sweeping wind in autumn, cold becomes noticeable. This season in Shenzhen is always back and forth. It will get hot again once you think the autumn is already here. No matter how short autumn and winter are, I would always keep a cardigan sweater in my closet. It can be a good back-up in AC-ed rooms. Its softness is always next to the skin. To get a fashionable sweater is very easy nowadays, any style, any colour, any texture, hundreds of choices out there. But I know that it is impossible to go back to the days when every knitting held warmth. In that dim room, there was my mother knitting, my father bantering with my brother – should you not study well, I would buy you a cow to breed…  and myself…

Photo / Jing's work time Interviewed by Jane & Zhang Qingyu Finalized by Jing English Translation by Eva, Wang Yiman From Jingdezhen to Finland My name is Wang Jing, born in Chengdu, Sichuan. In 2012, I came to Aalto University in Finland to pursue a degree in Applied Art and Design . It has been nearly thirteen years since I first set foot in this northern land. Before that, I studied Industrial Design at Jiangnan University in China. Upon graduation, I began to wonder which path I should take. The traditional route of an industrial designer didn’t quite attract me — I preferred working with my hands, creating objects that carried warmth, where art and design intertwined. At that time, I was deeply drawn to ceramics, so I went to Jingdezhen, the ancient porcelain capital of China, and spent a year there crafting ceramics. Yet, after a while, I found it less inspiring . The atmosphere was becoming overly commercial, and I longed for something new. I decided to apply to schools abroad, using my ceramic works from Jingdezhen as my portfolio. I chose Aalto University because, during my junior year, I had spent half a year as an exchange student in Denmark, where I fell in love with the Nordic design philosophy — functionalism infused with artistry, bringing beauty into everyday life . The program in Applied Art and Design turned out to be exactly what I wanted. It encouraged exploration — from ceramics, glass, woodworking, to textile and fashion design. The school gave us both freedom and resources, along with creative workshops, to discover our own direction.   Exploring Sustainable Design While studying in Finland, I noticed that many design brands and startups were highly committed to sustainability. The materials they used were often recycled or made from dead-stock fabrics. Even their packaging tended to be plastic-free. I was amazed — every brand was living by the principles of sustainability! That realization inspired me to pursue something related to sustainable design. I turned my attention to plastic. The idea for what later became Upcycle with Jing  began when I saw a YouTube video teaching how to make flowers from plastic bottles. I tried it myself, and the flowers turned out to be full of life. During my student years, I would sell these plastic-bottle floral jewelry pieces at Christmas markets, and they were well received. Buy products from Upcycle with Jing After graduating in 2018, I officially founded my sustainable design brand — Upcycle with Jing. Today, it has two main product lines: one featuring jewelry made from recycled plastic bottles, and another using fabric scraps from factories to create hair accessories.   My First Startup with My Husband I met my husband at Aalto University — he was a programmer, I was a designer. Together, we founded a digital agency, taking on web and graphic design projects. It was exhilarating — no more rigid 9-to-5 hours, and we could choose our own clients and projects. This experience taught me patience and gave me a deeper understanding of Finnish society and its business ecosystem. Our startup began quite casually — one time we designed a poster and website for a school party, and then realized: why not do this professionally?  Finland supports entrepreneurship strongly; we received an €800 monthly startup grant, which helped us get on track. At the start of our venture, we brought in a mutual friend as our accountant. He also ran a startup incubator at a Finnish technical school and quickly became one of our biggest supporters. Maybe it was because we worked with devotion and finesse, polishing every project to near perfection—always over delivering, as if excellence itself were our unspoken creed. In Finland, the startup support policy is very inclusive. As long as you want to start a business here — whether you are a local or a foreigner — you can apply for support. When we applied for the government’s startup grant, we spent two days writing our business plan. There is an official website with many detailed questions that must be answered one by one. After submitting it, government officers will review your plan and invite you for a one-hour interview. If your application is approved, you first receive a six-month startup allowance, which totals €4,800. After six months, the government will schedule another meeting to check your business progress. If things are going well, they will grant you the remaining six months of support, making it a total of twelve months of subsidy. For us, this financial support was very important at that time — it helped us purchase equipment and get our business off the ground.   The Habit of Painting Shaped Who I Am Since primary school, my mother had forced me to learn the electronic keyboard, but I really didn’t like it. She was very strict with me. I told her I didn’t want to learn anymore — I wanted to paint. She agreed, saying, “Alright, I won’t make you practice the keyboard anymore. Let’s focus on painting.” She enrolled me in an art class, and I’ve been painting ever since. This hobby has accompanied me all my life. After giving birth, I went through a period of low mood, and it was painting that helped me get through that rather dark time. Even now, I paint regularly with a friend — we meet twice a week, while the dads take care of the kids, and we paint together in a café. At present, I really enjoy developing derivative products. Apart from Upcycle with Jing , I also have another brand called Art by Jing , which mainly focuses on stickers and other cultural and creative items. I like to capture small Finnish habits that people can relate to — for example, Finns love drinking coffee and eating cinnamon rolls. I designed a sticker that says “Powered by kahvi ja pulla”  (meaning “powered by coffee and cinnamon rolls”). It sells very well at the Finnish Design Museum and in our store. Many people see it and think of a family member or colleague who fits that description — it resonates with them, and they buy it right away. Many tourists also love it and feel that it represents Finnish culture. My inspiration often comes from the hope that my works can create emotional resonance with others. I am also designing some stickers that are partly humorous and partly encouraging. I draw some with messages like “Stay strong,” “Keep going,”  and “You are good enough.”  In Finland, people love putting positive stickers like these in their notebooks. Depression in Finland is partly related to the climate and partly to the culture. Finns value personal privacy and tend to keep a certain distance from others. Many live alone, and once you live alone, it’s easy to feel lonely and depressed. In addition, the unemployment rate is relatively high, so people often feel that it’s hard to find a job, and some become somewhat discouraged and give up easily. They need encouragement. I also pay attention to what competitors are doing. I often collect stickers from designer brands sold at MUJI, and sometimes I exchange my jewelry for them. I collect them in my own notebook. From this, I try to design products that are different from others, to find my own unique point. I also absorb some good elements from other people’s works and then look for differences based on that foundation. I have a personal principle: Stay inspired.  When I was in China, I felt that a 9-to-5 job didn’t suit me very well. I was more suited to freelancing. The environment I was in back home wasn’t particularly inspiring. I preferred the kind of design found in the Nordic countries — pure, refined, and aesthetically pleasing. I was naturally drawn to it. At that time, I felt that staying too long in Jingdezhen wasn’t sustainable for me. I might have had to work just to make a living instead of devoting my energy to creating inspiring works. If I had stayed longer, I might have lost myself. I wanted to keep improving my sense of design and artistic aesthetics, so I knew I had to go somewhere better. That’s why I left and went to Aalto University in Finland.   The Difference Between Finnish and Chinese Education In Finland, graduate studies require strong self-motivation. The Finnish master’s system is actually better suited for local students, because Finnish students have already developed a general direction from a young age, and teachers simply help them go deeper in that direction. It’s not like in China, where you take one course today and another tomorrow. Here, it’s more of a free-range approach. When I first came, I found it quite hard to adapt. Later, after observing my Finnish classmates, I realized that they all had their own opinions and a very mature sense of aesthetics — something cultivated since childhood. Aesthetic sense must be accumulated from an early age. University provides a platform for you to shine, but you must already be an excellent person to begin with. I wasn’t a very self-driven person growing up. My high school was one of the top schools in Chengdu. At that time, our grade had about twelve classes, each with sixty students, and there were always rankings. The pressure was intense, and everyone was constantly competing with each other. One influence that Chinese education left on me is that I love writing to-do lists — it’s a habit carried from middle school or high school. Every day before doing things, I like to write them down on paper. Crossing out many tasks at the end of the day gives me a strong sense of accomplishment, as if the day hasn’t been wasted. Even now, I still have nightmares about taking the college entrance exam. My high school education affected me in two ways. First, in my second year, I went to Tsinghua University’s School of Continuing Education to study art for two semesters as part of art exam training, so I missed two semesters of regular classes. When I returned, I found my academic performance had dropped sharply. In our class of sixty students, my rank fell to around fiftieth. Before going to Beijing, I used to rank around twentieth or thirtieth. I felt so down — I suddenly found myself among the lower-performing students. My chemistry was especially poor, and I often dream of taking chemistry or math exams in my sleep. Another influence was that my close friends from before no longer talked to me after I returned. Perhaps because I had been away for so long, they already had their own small groups. I could understand that, but it still hurt. One of my best friends stopped talking to me, and I was really sad at the time. Fortunately, our relationship has been repaired since then.   Marriage, Children, and Career Choices For me, whether to get married or not doesn’t really matter anymore. After living in Finland for a long time, I found that many couples are simply partners who have lived together for twenty years without getting married. I thought, maybe I’ll do the same. I had no special feelings about marriage and was actually afraid of holding a wedding — the kind where both families meet and everything is formal. I didn’t want that. I just wanted to keep things simple, to get the marriage certificate and be done. My husband and I only had a small ceremony in India. Having a child wasn’t planned either — it just happened naturally, without any preparation. My husband is Finnish. He’s 35 now and still hasn’t finished his master’s degree. He thinks Aalto University’s courses are too easy. He told me that if necessary, he’ll turn one of his projects into a master’s or doctoral thesis someday. That’s his choice, and I respect it. In Finland, work focuses more on experience, ability, problem-solving, and communication skills. Educational background is only one factor. Finns are guided by interest when choosing jobs. Being able to do the work you love is considered success. I believe that if you are to do one job for a lifetime, it must be something you truly enjoy — something that keeps you motivated. In Finland, children’s interests are nurtured from kindergarten. For example, my son started kindergarten when he was one and a half. After his first semester, during the parent-teacher meeting, the teacher told us, “Your son really enjoys painting. You should encourage him and prepare more art materials at home so he can draw.” This semester, the teacher found that he also likes singing, so we’re encouraged to let him sing more. From kindergarten on, they observe what a child likes, and parents are expected to support and prepare accordingly.   Gender Differences in Family Life When our child was small, I often complained to my husband that I was doing more childcare. At first, he helped quite a lot, but over time, he began staying up very late and waking up late, so in the mornings, I was always the one with the child. I felt it was unfair. Later, we went together to Finland’s family counseling center, and by this year, we’ve gotten used to it. My husband and I reached an agreement: at the beginning of each week, I tell him which days I’ll be going out with my friends to paint or to socialize, or when I need to work — for example, taking photos or running a workshop. On those days, I can’t take care of the child; he has to do it. Making this schedule in advance has helped us balance things better. At first, I wasn’t used to it. When I needed him, he couldn’t come immediately, and we often argued about it. Over time, we got used to each other’s style, and things gradually improved. Now that our child is older, my husband has also become more engaged as a father, though it took him longer than me to adapt. He really enjoys playing with our son. When I face difficulties, I’m not ashamed to seek help. I have many friends in similar situations — after having children, we all complain about our husbands sometimes. We often vent together, and after that, we feel much better. We also share information about good or bad psychologists. This kind of exchange is very important. In the first three years after having a child, almost every family goes through something similar. Our family counselor once mentioned that postpartum hormonal fluctuations can last for several months. In our first counseling session, my husband wanted more intimacy and couple time, while I wanted time for myself. He felt I was giving all my time to the baby and none to him. I told him, “I need time for myself first; then I can think about other things.” He eventually adapted. I told him, “Without my own time, I would die.” He understood and stopped insisting. The counselor also suggested that the father and mother should regularly discuss how to divide household and childcare duties, and reach an agreement. Both my husband and I practice yoga and meditation. Although we had conflicts at first, most issues were gradually resolved, and I came to see that he truly wants to be a good father. Becoming a mother is actually a wonderful thing. There is joy every day with the child. The beginning is difficult, but it can be overcome — the key is communication. Children give you a fresh perspective on life. To new mothers, I would say: “Seize every opportunity to rest, and practice self-care. Only by taking care of yourself can you take care of your family — especially your mental health. Don’t pursue perfection. Being an okay mom is enough. You don’t need a perfect home — if the house is messy, that’s fine.” Read Chinese Version https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2m2Zml9rcxh1byctjOEKzw

Photo / Ziwei's daily life in Canada I’m a 32-year-old mom from a small town in China, and a new immigrant to Canada. I’ve been out of the workforce for five years. I have no local connections, no resources, and no prior experience organizing exhibitions or events. For a long time, I deeply doubted my own abilities and often felt anxious in social situations. So when I first tried to make an exhibition happen here, I almost wanted to give up every single day. But in the end, I did it. Even though it wasn’t as perfect as I imagined, I truly believe that with the right support, every mom can achieve what she dreams of. Timeline December 2024: The idea of bringing The Mom Story Exhibition from the GlobalMoms Initiative (GMI) to Canada came to me. The founder helped form a small volunteer team. January 2025: I started searching for venues online, contacting galleries, and submitting an artist statement and exhibition proposal. The second gallery I reached out to responded! I also wanted to seek sponsorship or partnership opportunities, but unfortunately, that part didn’t work out. January–April: I joined brainstorming meetings with the GMI founder and co-curators. Volunteers helped with translation. I oversaw story selection, revising translations, and collaborating closely with the design volunteer. May–July: The designer and I worked on exhibition text and image layout design. Then I contacted a fabric manufacturer for printing, collected my family keepsakes, and wrote captions for each item. 2025 August: I brought all materials back to Canada, sourced local supplies, gathered tree branches, and hand-assembled the exhibition using natural rope and fabric. The captions were written on cardboard, to make sure everything as eco-friendly as possible. Moments of Doubts In 2024, I joined a nonprofit organization focused on empowering mothers. In the same year, they held MomStory Exhibition in Tianjin, which deeply moved me. Since then, I’ve had a quiet thought: Could I make something like that happen here in Canada? But I’m the kind of person who’s full of ideas but often struggles to act. Luckily, with strong encouragement from the GMI founder, I finally decided to go for it. In the beginning, I simply Googled the term “art gallery” to look for inspiration. Most of what I found were grand, high-end art exhibitions. I was terrified that my small, humble project would be rejected, so much so that I barely dared to contact anyone. The exhibition setup process was also exhausting. As I stitched fabric and tied threads, I could barely breathe from the pressure. Many times, I thought about giving up the eco-friendly idea and just buying ready-made scrolls. But in the end, I made it. The Magic of Been Seen Finally, we were accepted by the city hall’s window display area. And as it turned out, the art coordinator in charge of the space was also a woman who had previously curated an exhibition about mothers. See? Women help women. I always thought I wasn’t good at expressing myself and struggled with verbal communication. But while writing the stories behind each keepsake, I found that people genuinely loved my captions. I even received heartfelt encouragement from the founder. At that moment, I realized that writing, might be one of my small gifts. In my childhood and adultescence, I could not afford to learn anything such as playing piano, dancing, etc. Therefore, the encouragement was unexpectedly comforting. It reminded me that everyone has their own unique strength that they might not know of. The Power of Leadership Throughout this curating journey, what struck me most was the importance of leadership. Our volunteer team wasn’t built on a traditional top-down hierarchy, but rather on flat, collaborative teamwork. No one assumed what others could or couldn’t do. Whenever someone said, “I’d like to try this,” the rest of the team, especially the founder would offer genuine encouragement and practical suggestions. This supportive, trusting atmosphere helped me overcome my hesitation to ask for help. Instead, I learned to communicate proactively. I learned the importance of “housekeeping” and regular “check-ins”. This became one of the most valuable collaboration strategies I’ve learned. When progress slowed down, I would clearly and respectfully realign the timeline and tasks with my co-curator, without any assumptions and always believing in her capabilities. I’ve come to understand that leadership isn’t about control; it’s about creating a space where everyone can shine. Final Thoughts From self-doubt to persistence, from meltdown to being seen, this journey taught me one of life’s most important lessons: Never underestimate yourself, and never underestimate the power of small actions. If you’re also a mom, or you often feel like “you’re not good at anything”, I want to share my story with you: Even if it’s slow, even if it’s imperfect, just take the first step. You’ll discover that you can go much further than you ever imagined.  After Story The days are long, But the years are short --Reflection on my 32th birthday & 4th birthday for my son Turning 32, I’ve come to feel the Years slip away before we know it. On my birthday, I spoke with two women in their seventies. Both said the same thing almost identically, “Enjoy your time with your kdis. Spend as much time as you can – really engaging with them. Because before you know it, time just flies.” And that struck me. Because at seventy, What truly remains? Money? You can't take it with you to the grave. Ego? Reputation? You may enjoy them for a season. But they will fade eventually as you grow old. When the stage lights dim, what stays? Only memories. At the end of life,  when everything begins to rewind, what will we see? A childhood wrapped in love, "someone,"  a youth striving to become and then,  the long middle stretch, the juggling between work and family, ambition and exhaustion, dreams and diapers. In those final moments,  perhaps we'll regret not spending more time leaving good memories for our children. Not taking that trip with our family. Not doing the things we longed for but postponed, always telling ourselves we were just. "surviving." At the most recent gathering with my middle school classmates, one of them, also a mother, laughed and said to me, "Even with your education degree, you still end up taking care of kids." That comment stayed with me. Many people are confused about this: there is no dichotomy between being highly educated and being a mother. Yet people insist there is. It assumes that people with education and intellect should sit in offices, earning money, producing, achieving. But not staying home, not slowing down. But what if the real wisdom lies in understanding that life's value isn't measured by output, but by presence? That raising a child, nurturing a home, or simply being here attentively might be the most profound form of education there is? The days are long, but the years are short. And when we finally stand at the end of our own story, we might realize that the things that truly mattered were never the things that made us "successful," but the moments that made us alive. About the Writer Ziwei,  a typical “small-town striver” turned journalist in Beijing for three years, I later saved up to pursue a graduate degree in Education—specializing in Leadership Studies—in Canada. I am now based in Victoria, British Columbia. Having spent a year studying in the Middle East, I developed a deep understanding of intercultural communication. In recent years, my interests have expanded to sustainability and feminism. Currently, I’m on a gap year, embracing full-time motherhood. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziweiluo/