[Power K-Women] Kelly Choi, Aspiring Mentor Balancing 'Parenting and Work'

Realistic Concerns of Female Office Workers... Finding Solutions in the Cases of 50s Professional Managers

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Kelly Choi, chairman of Kelly Deli, grew Kelly Deli into a global company, but balancing childcare and work was not an easy task. When faced with difficulties, his initial attempts to find solutions by seeking mentors were not very successful.

Even just 10 years ago, it was not easy to find life mentors who understood the realistic hardships of working women. It was also problematic that it was widely known that many successful women gave up either family or childcare. As this perception became widespread, the belief that work and childcare could not coexist spread too much.

Chairman Choi believes that this reality is not just an individual problem for women.

One of the biggest reasons women cannot focus solely on work is "relationships." Even successful people reportedly cite “not spending enough time with loved ones” as their greatest regret before passing away.

“Success means, when you are over 70 years old, being loved by the people you want to be loved by.” The words of Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and known as the “Oracle of Investment,” resonated deeply with Chairman Choi.

The mentor who approached Chairman Choi during his continued struggles was a 50-something professional manager at a foreign pharmaceutical company. This person reportedly has two children with a husband who is a university professor. As work demands increased, the family was neglected. Like other working women, this professional manager could not avoid the harsh realities. With a daily routine of leaving early in the morning and returning late at night, she even experienced the threat of divorce.

Chairman Choi focused on the five solutions she shared. He says that if women listen to her advice and solutions, it will help them overcome difficulties. The advice includes adhering to set work hours, following natural order, committing to being the best both at home and at work, considering childcare costs as a kind of investment, and maintaining confident dignity without ever shrinking back.

Chairman Choi hopes to become a mentor to working women who want to balance childcare and work by practicing these guidelines himself. By showing that work and childcare can coexist, he is playing the role of a pioneer who helps uproot the widely spread prejudices in our society.