I’m a CEO and mom in NYC. Ping pong, piano, and 4:45 am wake-ups are how I stay healthy and focused.
In a recent essay published by Business Insider, Sunny Jiang, the 41-year-old CEO and president of EyeBuyDirect, shares insights into her journey from Anhui Province, China, to leading a global eyewear brand based in New York City. With a background in finance and economics, Jiang began her career at EyeBuyDirect in 2007 and steadily climbed the ranks, taking on various responsibilities in operations, product development, and marketing. Her commitment to the company’s digital-first mission and her drive to grow alongside the brand have been central to her success. Now overseeing nearly 500 employees across multiple countries, Jiang emphasizes the importance of balancing her professional and personal life, believing that each aspect strengthens the other.
Jiang’s daily routine reflects her dedication to both her role and her family. Rising at 5 a.m., she prioritizes fitness with a workout before breakfast, which often includes a mix of traditional Chinese dishes and American favorites for her two children. Her workday is filled with back-to-back meetings, often extending late into the evening, but she maintains a focus on well-being through meditation and healthy eating. Jiang also values efficiency in meetings, encouraging her team to come prepared to ensure productive discussions. After a long day, she finds solace in playing the piano, a hobby she picked up alongside her daughter. This structured yet flexible approach allows her to manage her responsibilities effectively while also dedicating quality time to her family, particularly on weekends, which she reserves for family activities and relaxation.
Jiang’s story is not just one of career advancement; it embodies the challenges and triumphs of a female leader in a competitive industry. Her emphasis on well-being, family, and effective time management offers a refreshing perspective on how to navigate the demands of a high-powered job while remaining grounded in personal values. By sharing her experiences, Jiang inspires others to find their own balance and pursue their passions, both at work and at home.
Sunny Jiang.
Noemie Marguerite
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sunny Jiang, the 41-year-old CEO and president of EyeBuyDirect, based in New York. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
I grew up in Anhui Province, China, and earned my bachelor’s degree in finance and economics. I joined EyeBuyDirect in 2007, starting in an entry-level role in the finance department. After eight years of working full time, I did my master’s in Shanghai.
I was drawn to
EyeBuyDirect
‘s mission and digital-first model, and I saw a unique opportunity to grow with a brand. Over time, I assumed additional responsibilities in operations, product development, marketing, and general management, and developed leadership skills through hands-on experience.
Business Insider’s Power Hours series gives readers an inside look at how powerful leaders in business structure their workday. See more stories from the series
here
, or reach out to editor
Lauryn Haas
to share your daily routine.
Two years ago, my husband, our two children, and I moved to New York for my current role. It wasn’t a total leap into the unknown: we’d traveled frequently to the US before, so the transition felt natural.
I oversee EyeBuyDirect’s business across the US, UK, and beyond, managing close to 500 employees worldwide. As a female CEO, people often ask about
balancing career and family
. For me, it’s not about putting work over family or family over work. They make each other stronger.
Along the way, I’ve learned how to prioritize my well-being — because when I’m healthy in body and mind, I can give my best to both my family and my work.
Here’s what a day in my life is like.
5 a.m. — early start
I inherited my parents’ early-bird DNA. Most mornings, I wake up naturally around 4:45 a.m., lie in bed for a few minutes, and start my day at 5 a.m. If I’m not traveling, the day doesn’t begin until after I’ve worked out.
When the gym opens at 6 am, I’m there for half an hour of fast walking and slow running, followed by 20 minutes of weightlifting.
This routine has been a game changer for me, especially on long Mondays that can include more than 12 hours of meetings.
After that, I rush back home to shower and be ready for breakfast with my family while the kids are still waking up.
7 a.m. — breakfast and family time
I’m a big egg person, but our family breakfast is often Chinese style: soup, small dishes, and pancakes. My children, 7 and 10, sometimes ask for sandwiches or something more American, so we mix it up.
My husband left his role at an Italian car company when we moved to New York. Now he runs the household, keeps our family organized, and pursues his own passions, particularly in the fields of AI and innovation.
7:30 a.m. — calls begin
Because I work with teams around the world, I often have meetings back-to-back from early morning until late evening.
Mondays are especially intense — I might start at 7:30 a.m., and not finish until 9 p.m.
8:30 a.m. — meditation
Meditation is an important daily ritual.
In the mornings, and sometimes again in the afternoon if my schedule allows, I sit quietly with music or a guided meditation track for at least 20 minutes.
It helps me clear out the information overload of running a global business.
9 a.m. — getting to the office
I live 20 minutes from the office and take the subway. I’ve always believed it’s important to live near where you work. I can’t imagine losing one or two hours a day in traffic.
We split our schedule between home and office — two to three days a week in person, the rest remote. All employees are working in hybrid mode.
When I’m in the office, afternoons are quieter, with fewer cross-time-zone calls. That gives me space for one-on-one meetings, reading, or even a second gym session if needed.
12:30 p.m. — light lunch
My lunch is typically a salad with grains, beans, and a small amount of seafood. I don’t want to feel tired afterward, so I avoid heavy meals.
I always make time to step away from my desk and take a genuine break. I’m definitely a coffee drinker. A good Americano — no milk — gives me the energy and mood boost I need to power through the day.
1 pm — managing meetings
I’m not a big fan of unnecessary meetings. If I don’t feel I can contribute, I prefer to delegate to the team.
I don’t see hierarchy as boss versus manager versus intern — everyone has their strengths. I trust my team to handle what they can do better than I can.
For big topics, I ask people to come prepared. If everyone does their homework first, our discussions are shorter and far more productive.
3 p.m. — table tennis
Sometimes, my husband and I also squeeze in a game of
table tennis
in our building. We’ve been playing since school, and it’s one of my favorite sports.
Just five minutes of intense focus can get my heart rate to 140. It’s fun, energizing, and much more effective than a jog.
5 p.m. — wrapping up
Ideally, I’d finish work at 6. In reality, if I’m in the office, I often leave around 7:30 and get home after 8.
That’s because afternoons are when I get precious in-person time with our US-based team.
8:30 p.m. — dinner and winding down
Since I usually go to bed by 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m., I often skip dinner or just have something light, such as soup. I don’t like going to bed on a heavy stomach. But first, my favorite way to relax is by
playing piano
.
I only started learning 10 years ago, when my daughter did. She stopped, but I kept going. I play Western and Chinese pieces, and it’s purely for myself.
For 30 minutes, or even just five, I forget everything else and focus only on the music.
9:30 p.m. — rest and reset
By 9:30 p.m., I’m ready for bed. If I’m not traveling, my routine is strict — I rise early and rest early. Fridays and weekends are the exception.
I try to keep weekends lighter
If I’m not traveling, I pick up my kids from school on Friday afternoons. We’ll usually have dinner together to start the weekend.
I make sure I keep one day free, where we play video games, go to the park, or visit a museum. I want that day to be fully dedicated to them.
Read the original article on
Business Insider
