In a world where juggling the demands of a career, parenthood, and side hustles can feel like an unattainable feat, we bring you a captivating editorial series, "From 9 to 5 & Beyond: Slaying Careers, Parenting, and Side Hustles", that spotlights remarkable parents who have mastered this balancing act.
This series will celebrate the extraordinary parents who have defied the odds, proving that it is possible to excel in multiple areas of life simultaneously. These inspiring stories illuminate the path to balance and success, offering motivation and empowerment to parents everywhere who navigate the intricate dance of work, family, and personal passions.
We hope these narratives provide valuable insights, strategies, and inspiration as you embark on your journey of slaying careers, parenting, and side hustles.
As a parent and photographer, I understand the challenges of managing a career while nurturing a family and pursuing personal passions.
The first person in our series is Priscilla and Shawn, the founders of "Awesome Women Series". Next up is Shubhi Saxena, the founder of Unibino. A mother of three, her path to becoming an entrepreneur and publisher started after Shubhi sold her cybersecurity business, which she started with her husband.
She now writes and publishes books that serve as a career guidance tool for children, inspiring them to explore their interests, discover their potential and make informed choices about their future.
Please share with us a bit about what you do and how you got started with your passion
project/ side hustle?
My journey over the past decade has predominantly been in entrepreneurship. Alongside my husband, we founded and built Pentester Academy, a renowned cybersecurity training platform. Our venture blossomed into a massive establishment with a clientele spanning over 140 countries, which included notable financial institutions, government bodies, and leading banks.
The acquisition of Pentester Academy in 2021 by an American education giant marked
a transition point in my life. As a mother of three, I began to perceive a glaring deficiency
in children's literature. The books I found predominantly featured conventional professions—doctors, police officers, firefighters. But we live in a dynamic era with multifarious career prospects, from influencers to social media marketers, actors to artists.
This observation ignited a desire within me. I aspired to introduce my children and other
young readers to the vast spectrum of vocations available today. Beyond the conventional choices of engineering or medicine, I wanted them to explore creative roles such as acting, physiotherapy, and culinary arts.
Thus, Unibino was conceived. We assembled a talented team of writers and artists and
began our journey with a handful of books that established our unique style. With time, collaboration, and passion, our collection has grown, with close to 40 titles, of which 25 to 30 have already been available for purchase on Amazon.
How do you create a harmonious work-life blend that empowers you to thrive in your career, actively engage with your family, and pursue your passions and side ventures?
Balancing my roles as a mother and entrepreneur often feels like orchestrating a grand symphony, with each segment of my life playing its unique note. Having three children aged 10, 5, and 1 certainly keeps my hands full, and there's no denying that it brings a mix of joyful chaos and challenges.
Like every mother, my day is packed chiefly with morning chaos, scheduled routines, and inevitable unpredictable moments. The trick lies in being flexible, adaptable, and embracing the ebb and flow. I prioritize my tasks, ensuring I'm present for the big and small milestones in my children's lives. These moments ground me, whether helping with a school project, attending a performance, or enjoying quiet time reading a book together.
I've also learned the value of delegating and seeking help when needed. My family and our helpers are crucial in making my daily hustle a bit easier for me. I’ve created a process for most, if not every, task at my home. This helps me save a lot of time in micro-managing my helpers. I use this time to work on my books, which helps me to get creative satisfaction out of my day.
Could you please share some of your go-to strategies for mastering time management, particularly when it comes to gracefully juggling the responsibilities of your career, parenthood, and side projects?
I juggle every day, but it has been an evolving journey and over time, I've honed a few strategies that have become my touchstones:
Prioritize & Delegate: The most crucial lesson was understanding that I can't do everything. I must pinpoint tasks that only I can handle and delegate the rest. Whether assigning specific responsibilities at work or seeking help at home, delegating has allowed me to focus on what truly matters.
Time Blocks: I partition my day into specific blocks dedicated to tasks. This ensures I have dedicated time to my career, children, and Unibino. For instance, early mornings might be reserved for brainstorming book ideas, while afternoons could be dedicated to quality time with the kids.
Embrace Technology: I utilize digital tools and apps that aid scheduling, reminders, and list-making. This helps keep track of tasks and ensures I'm on top of deadlines and commitments.
Set Boundaries: While multitasking is often lauded, setting clear boundaries is equally crucial. When I'm with my kids, I ensure I'm fully present, and similarly, when I'm working on Unibino or my career, I'm wholly immersed in that.
Flexibility: Despite the best-laid plans, there are days when things go awry. Instead of
getting flustered, I've learned to adapt and recalibrate. Flexibility and a positive mindset can turn challenges into learning experiences.
Self-Care Rituals: Time management isn't just about managing tasks. It's also about managing energy. By dedicating moments for self-reflection, relaxation, and personal growth, I ensure that I'm always at my best, both mentally and physically.
Stay Connected with Your 'Why': In the whirlwind of tasks, it's easy to lose sight of our
motivations. By consistently reconnecting with the reasons behind my endeavours — the joy of motherhood, the satisfaction of a career, or the passion for Unibino — I find the drive to manage my time effectively.
Remember, time management is personal, evolving, and unique to everyone’s journey. It's about finding a rhythm that resonates with your life's melody.
What hurdles have you faced along your remarkable journey, and how did you summon the strength to surmount them, aligning your aspirations in both your career and parenting?
Balancing the demands of a thriving career and the incessant responsibilities of motherhood, especially with children aged 10, 5, and 1, is like navigating a maze with its a unique set of challenges.
Sleepless Nights and Morning Meetings: With a 1-year-old, sleepless nights are more of a rule than an exception. There were instances when I had to be fresh for an early morning presentation after a night of constantly attending to my youngest. Over time, I realized the value of power naps, and I keep aside one to two hours a day to snooze whenever there is a window of opportunity.
School Events and Work Deadlines: My 10-year-old's school events often clashed with essential work commitments. It required meticulous planning, sometimes even months in advance, to ensure I didn't miss the milestones in my child's life while meeting my professional responsibilities. The art of delegation, both at home and at work, proved invaluable.
Tantrums & Conference Calls: My 5-year-old choosing the exact moment of an important call to have a meltdown is a challenge most mothers would agree with. Setting up a dedicated workspace at home and explaining to my child the importance of some quiet moments helped. But, of course, the occasional muted microphone and a quick, comforting hug became part of the routine.
Self-Doubt & Role Juggling: Am I doing enough as a mother? Am I doing justice to my career? Such self-reflective questions often led to bouts of self-doubt. Talking to other working mothers, seeking mentorship, and spending quality time with my children reminded me that perfection in each role isn't the goal; presence and effort are.
Unibino and Uninterrupted Time: Dedicating time to my passion project, Unibino, amidst the chaos of motherhood was a challenge. Sneaking in moments during my youngest's nap times, involving my eldest in the brainstorming processes, or even integrating storytelling time with work proved to be some innovative solutions.
Drawing strength to overcome these hurdles came from a deep-rooted understanding that my career and role as a mother are intrinsic to my identity. The joy in my children's eyes, their laughter, and the satisfaction of achieving milestones in my career and passion projects provided the fuel to push forward. Surrounding myself with a supportive network, taking time out for self-care, and celebrating the small victories, no matter how minuscule, kept me grounded and motivated.
Could you elaborate on the significance of having a solid support network when navigating the intricacies of work and parenthood? How have you cultivated and harnessed this support system?
Journeying through the intertwined paths of career and motherhood has given me profound insight into the indispensable value of a robust support network. The complex dance of work and parenthood is rarely a solo performance; it thrives on collaboration, understanding, and shared responsibilities.
Emotional Anchor: Motherhood, with its beautiful moments, also brings days of self-doubt, exhaustion, and overwhelming emotions. Having a circle of friends, family, or colleagues on similar journeys is an emotional anchor. They offer reassurance, a listening ear, and sometimes the comfort of knowing you're not alone.
Sharing Responsibilities: With children aged 10, 5, and 1, myriad tasks demand attention. The demands are ceaseless, from school pickups to nighttime feedings, homework sessions, and sudden illnesses. My support system, which includes my spouse, relatives, and helpers, has been instrumental in sharing these responsibilities. It's a tag team, where the other steps in seamlessly if one person is down.
Cultivating the Network: Building this network wasn't an overnight task. It evolved through shared experiences, open communication about my challenges and needs, and by offering support when others in my circle faced their struggles. Motherhood groups, both online and offline, have been treasure troves of advice, empathy, and shared resources.
Professional Growth: Beyond personal support, my network has also been pivotal in my professional journey. They've acted as soundboards for ideas, offered constructive criticism, and even connected me with resources and people who have added immense value to my projects, like Unibino.
Gratitude & Reciprocity: One essential aspect of harnessing this support system is recognizing its value and giving back. Whether it's by being there for a friend going through a tough phase, assisting a colleague with a challenging task, or simply expressing gratitude, it's a two-way street. This mutual appreciation helps create a resilient and enduring bond.
In essence, the journey of work and parenthood is like sailing on vast seas. While one's determination and skills are the sails that drive the ship, and a strong support network is the anchor that offers stability, assurance, and direction amidst the ever-changing tides.
To sustain your physical and mental well-being amidst the demands of your multifaceted life, what self-care practices do you prioritize and find most empowering? Name an incident where your children taught you something you didn't know about yourself.
For me, self-care is not just an act but a necessity, ensuring that I am at my best for my professional pursuits and, more importantly, for my family. Here are some practices I prioritize:
Mindfulness & Meditation: Carving out a few minutes daily to sit in stillness, breathe deeply, and be present has been transformative. It helps me reset, refocus, and approach challenges with clarity and calm.
Physical Activity: Whether it's a brisk walk, a swimming session, or even dancing around the living room with my kids, ensuring that I move every day keeps me energized and boosts my mood.
Reading: Immersing myself in a good book, even if just for a few minutes before bedtime, helps me switch off from daily stresses and transports me to different worlds, providing the much-needed mental break.
Now, for an incident where my children unveiled a side of me I hadn't recognized:
One evening, after an especially gruelling day, I felt utterly drained. My 10-year-old, sensing my mood, came up to me with a drawing he made — it depicted our family with radiant suns and vibrant colours. He said, "Mom, you light up our world even on tough days." It was a poignant moment of realization; my children perceive strength in me even when I sometimes doubt myself.
Another time, my 5-year-old, after a playdate, remarked how his friend's mom never laughs as much as I do. It made me realize the impact of the joy and laughter I bring into their lives and how they value these simple moments of shared happiness.
Lastly, with my 1-year-old, it was during one of our quiet cuddle sessions. As I held her, feeling her tiny heartbeat against mine, her innocent gaze taught me a profound lesson of unconditional love and being present. Even without words, she communicated volumes, reminding me of the depth of connections formed through sheer presence and love.
These incidents, while seemingly simple, were profound lessons in self-awareness, teaching me about the strength, joy, and depth of emotion I carry within, often unnoticed by myself but keenly observed by my children.
What would it be if you could offer a single piece of advice to fellow parents striving to excel in their careers, be fully present for their families, and nurture their side projects?
I think, while there's no one-size-fits-all formula, it's the amalgamation of love, resilience, structured chaos, and the occasional dash of serendipity that crafts a harmonious work-life blend.
What exciting things are you working on next?
Our journey with Unibino has been about opening windows to new worlds for children, and we're ecstatic about expanding our horizons further. Catering to the diverse age groups of 10, 5, and 2, we've been diving deep into research and ideation to create content that resonates with each group's unique preferences and developmental needs.
Here's a sneak peek:
For 10-year-olds:
“Future Innovators” Series: Delving into the lives of innovators from various fields, this series inspires kids to dream big. Each book will cover an innovator's journey, the challenges they faced, and the impact of their innovation.
“Tech Titans” Series: Introducing children to the realm of technology, from coding languages to AI in a way that's engaging and easy to grasp.
For 5-year-olds:
“Wonders of the World” Series: A vibrant journey across continents, exploring natural wonders, unique animals, and diverse cultures.
“Tiny Tales” Series: A collection of short, delightful stories with memorable characters, each narrating a valuable life lesson.
For 2-year-olds:
“Colorful Careers” Series: A visually rich series where every book is centred around a colour, associating it with a profession. For instance, ‘Blue for Astronauts’ or ‘Green for Gardeners’.
“Sounds of Nature” Series: Each book will be dedicated to a specific sound from nature, like the rustling of leaves or the chirping of birds, combined with tactile features for an interactive experience.
Our commitment is continuously evolving and providing rich, age-appropriate content that entertains, educates, and empowers our young readers. We are eagerly looking forward to the journey ahead!
Check out Unibino's collection at the upcoming Singapore Comic Con 2023:
Booth: L1-B06A
Singapore Comic Con 2023
9 – 10 December 2023
Sands Expo & Convention Centre,
Level 1, Halls A&B
Show this article and receive 10% off at the event!
Photography by Fawn Memories Photography