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This article was originally published on Entrepreneur.com.

Building a startup has always been more than just a business endeavor. It's a legacy for my children.

I am a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan and grew up in the Chinese restaurant business. And like many first-generation immigrants, my parents encouraged me to study hard and get a good job — to achieve the American dream.

I pursued this path and secured my BA and MBA, then worked in the finance, media and entertainment industries. I did well in my jobs. Yet, something felt amiss.

I always had the desire to find creative solutions to life challenges, leading me to start my own business in 2007 as a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan. But after starting a family, it took on a new meaning.

After multiple ventures, I founded Fud in 2021. There was an opportunity to help everyday entrepreneurs and it was too compelling to ignore. Now with a partner and two young children, my startup journey has taken on another meaning. I wanted to pursue my calling to teach my kids to be brave, trust their instincts and not let what I call “immigrant fear” get in the way.

Being a father first then a founder

Amidst starting Fud and raising two elementary-aged children, it’s important for me to prioritize and nurture our family relationships. A study published in Harvard Business Review found that children’s emotional well-being is significantly higher when their parents put family first, engage in meaningful work and are physically present for them.

Every morning, I block out 90 minutes to make my kids breakfast and walk them to school. I wake up an hour earlier to enjoy a cup of coffee or espresso, plan my day and complete a few chores. This routine helps me clear my schedule and make room for deep work while the kids are at school.

I try to be highly focused and disciplined when I am working and I completely disconnect with business matters when it’s family time. I’ve learned that working 40 hours a week isn’t enough, but pushing to 80 hours isn’t effective either. It’s about being realistic with the quality time I can get and make those work hours as productive as possible. I created clear boundaries to ensure they are protected from the pressures of entrepreneurship. 

Incorporating business experiences with the family

While establishing these boundaries between work and family life has made me a good parent and a good entrepreneur, I’ve realized that completely shielding my kids from my business journey would mean missing out on important learning experiences for them. And so I decided to integrate my business journey with my family.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that when young children are exposed to varied interests and their curiosity is encouraged, it enhances creativity, ignites passions and helps them discover their talents and ambitions. So when I see that my kids are keen on a particular aspect of the business, I explain how it works and encourage them to ask questions.

Letting them observe how I address business problems helps them approach their own challenges with a fresh perspective and develops their critical thinking skills. Building a startup with limited resources fosters creativity and resilience in both my business and my children.

When things don't work out as expected, I view these as opportunities for growth and share the learnings with my kids. I remind them that although outcomes may not always be fair, they have control over the effort they put into it. They should take pride in their journey no matter the result, knowing that they gave it their all.

At the same time, when the business hits milestones, we celebrate it as a family, recognizing the hard work and dedication that made it possible. This helps them see that success can be attained after overcoming hurdles.

Being transparent with my children about the struggles, failures and achievements of Fud teaches them the value of hard work, perseverance and grit. They learn to be courageous, embrace risks and take action.

Integrating family and business 

One of the biggest challenges I faced when building the Fud app was finding the perfect balance between work and family time. It turns out, the key isn't in separating these two important aspects of my life but in creating a space where both can flourish together.

I know this may sound idealistic, but for me, it’s a practical setup. Of course, it’s not easy, but with the right mindset, flexibility, resources and support from my family, I’ve managed to make it work.

I share aspects of my work with my children in a way they can understand the situation and appreciate the learnings. I remain calm and objective during these conversations so I don’t overwhelm them or create any unnecessary pressure. 

Boundaries are still in place so I can be fully present with the family and not let work stress affect our relationship. My focus is for the kids to embrace the learning process without getting burdened by the challenges of the business.

We know from various research that effective parenting strongly impacts children’s development and I take that responsibility to heart. By selectively integrating business experiences into our family interactions, I am equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to build strong values and character, helping them grow into the best versions of themselves.

My goal isn't to push my kids toward any specific path but to help them discover their own abilities, strengths, interests and aspirations, opening up a world of opportunities for them to explore. I want to see them make meaningful contributions to society, follow their convictions fearlessly and find their unique place in the world.

After all, that’s what the American dream is truly about.✨

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