Chef and founder of SoGoodK

“Being in the F&B industry as a working mom definitely has its challenges. Running a business can be demanding and time-consuming, which can sometimes make it difficult to balance work and family life. However, I have found that with good time management, delegation, and support from my family, I am able to manage both roles effectively. I prioritize my tasks, set realistic goals, and make sure to take breaks and care for myself so that I can give my best to both my family and my business.

Balancing personal and work life can be challenging, especially as a working mom. To maintain balance, I make sure to schedule time for my family and for myself. I also set clear boundaries between work and personal time, and make sure to disconnect from work during my downtime. It's also important to have a good support network and ask for help when needed.

My advice for working moms hoping to enter the F&B industry is to be prepared for hard work and long hours, but also to stay true to your passion and vision. It's important to surround yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, and colleagues who can offer encouragement and assistance when needed. Finally, prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.”

Head of Marketing and Product Management, Da Paolo Group

“F&B can suck time out from family life because unfortunately, our peak periods are mealtimes, weekends, and public holidays. And when you own your own business, work doesn't end.

It's always challenging to find a balance between work and family life. At the end of the day, it takes discipline and a sense of responsibility. I try to be very productive at work while the kids are at school, and I try to be home for them when the school bus arrives. There are times when I need to be at work, and that's just the way it is.

Everything I watched my parents, who are also in the industry, go through; I feel like I'm going through now. They had it easier in some aspects, while harder in others. I'm just thankful that I have my husband and brother in my team, and that my parents are still around to support and encourage us.

For me, letting myself down at work is letting my family down, so I will take care of both to the best that I can. I welcome any support I can get from my parents and in-laws, so I don't feel overwhelmed, and have time for myself and my husband too.”

Co-founder of SJS Group

“Back when I entered the industry at the age of 14, the competition was fierce. You competed for the best shifts, which is where you'd make the most money. There was always someone trying to take your shift, or 'eat your lunch' as I would say. You had to be fast, sell the most, and cultivate a big client base to stay on the schedule. Of course, being a woman in the industry played a big role in this, and yes, I've dealt with more than my share of misogyny and discrimination from men in power.
 
I'm new to the F&B industry as a mum—my daughter is a year old as we speak. I have new challenges now that I am an owner of five restaurants. On one hand, it's wonderful that I have the ability to work my schedule around her and even bring her with me to meetings. On the other hand, juggling the inner working of five businesses and two restaurant openings while focusing on a new child has proved to be a big balancing act.

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I usually divide up my day accordingly and seek support when needed. I try as much as possible to dedicate my mornings to my work and wellness routine, and the rest of my day is for being a mum. Work has never, and cannot ever take a back seat. When you run your own company, there is no backup plan and my daughter's future depends on its success. While it's a great deal of pressure, taking time for personal time and a wellness routine is important to be a good mum.
 
I believe that to thrive in this industry, it is important to cultivate a stellar support system around you and be prepared for sacrifices. In the F&B business, nights and weekends are no longer your own, they belong to work. That said, you can hustle as a mum by working nights and weekends and be there for your child during the day.”

Co-founder of Loop PR

“When I first joined the F&B industry, I faced a lot of challenges due to being young and female. It was an exhausting battle to be taken seriously. This also meant I had to work harder, faster and better to get heard and respected. Nothing can prepare you to enter this industry other than real-life experiences. If you are passionate about the industry, jump into it and be dedicated. As there are a lot of walls to break in this industry, it is important to have passion.
 
I was fortunate enough to be able to set up my own firm at a young age. This had allowed me to find a sweet spot between work and family, as I currently only handle a small part of the firm. As a working mum, it is important to learn to multi-task and be self-driven—it is a long but fulfilling journey which I am still on.”

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Founder of Atlas Bar

“While my husband and I were in the project phase of Atlas—especially as we came closer to our opening—there were many late nights and long hours to get everything done. I used to joke that we orphaned our children to Atlas in the very early days. I was very fortunate to have my mother come from Hong Kong and help look after our two girls.
 
Once Atlas was finally opened though, we took a well-deserved holiday with the kids to make it up to them and spend some quality time together. That holiday was very special as it felt like we were able to reconnect, come together as a family and create some beautiful memories. The kids now don’t even remember us being so busy and absent during those times. Now they love to come to Atlas and they feel it is as much theirs as it is ours.
 
I am very fortunate to have a great team who works with me for the day-to-day operations, so I don’t need to be in the venue and I can be flexible with my office hours. Being in the industry though, there are quite a lot of evenings out. There are also occasions when longer hours are required, but my husband and I try our best to be home for dinner with the kids. The one stable I’ve managed to maintain is scheduling an hour twice a week to exercise. I’ve found this to be very helpful for my physical and mental well-being, so much so that I’m trying to commit to an extra hour of tennis now, as well as a weekly nature walk with a girlfriend. As for the kids, weekends are family time when we do lots of swimming, barbecues and family lunches out.”

This story was first published on March 8, 2022, and updated on March 8, 2023. 

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