How I function as a working mom comedian: 5 things I learned
After being closed for 15 months, I reopened my comedy club. I’m know on TikTok as Funny Mom, making fun while trying to have fun as a new mom. Last December I gave birth to my baby #2, my girl Magnolia. Being a businesswoman, comedian and a full-time mom is really crazy. Sometimes, I can’t believe that I’m even functioning.
I opened my comedy club, The Hollywood Comedy on my son Winston’s birthday, Feb 7th 2020. It was so much fun and a lot of hard work. I really do love owning a comedy space. I can provide a safe and supportive space for comics of all background, gender and ethnicity. They gotta to be themselves and rock the stage for open mics and booked shows. I felt very guilty not be able to spend more time with my toddler Winston, he was just 1 years old, it took a lot of time to set up and run a club.
Just when The Hollywood comedy was getting known in LA, we were running the hottest mics and shows. Out of the blue, the pandemic hits. We closed after 30 days of opening. After that I’ve been paying the Melrose storefront rent while closed, it has been pretty disastrous.
I’m staying home, spending more time with Winston, I decided to have another baby, because I’m crazy and I thought, umm sleeping is overrated, I don’t want to sleep for the rest of my life.
I was pregnant with my daughter Magnolia on March 2020, having the worst morning sickness ever and at loss that my comedy club will be gone when the pandemic is over.
I started free virtual open mic on Instagram live on April 2020, the comedy legend Don Barris has been hosting our mic, and 1 year later, this mic is still running. The pandemic and lockdown has been hard on everybody, I wanted to create an online space that welcome everybody to talk about their life and how to come over hardships. I’m more than thrilled that this mic is still running every night 8pm and 9pm. 8pm is hosted by the comedy legend Don Barris, 9pm is hosted by the awesome Brien G. Follow IG page @thcvirtualopenmic and hop on our daily 8,9pm free virtual mics.
Now I reopened the club, it was a difficult decision to keep this club alive during the pandemic. I haven’t been sleeping for the past 4 months. Because I gave birth to my daughter December 2020, breastfeeding was brutal, there was no sleep on my end, now I stopped breadfeeding because I was getting the covid vaccine.
I’m surprised that I can somehow juggle motherhood and running a business, producing a movie, boming as a comedian, telling jokes on TikTok and renovating a new house at the same time!
5 things I learned:
Number 5
Forgive yourself! It’s okay you are not doing a perfect job. Sometimes I hated that I can’t take my son to his Chinese class and make it to my production meeting at the same time. That mom guilt makes me less productive at my professional work, it makes me stressful when I get home, I can’t even enjoy hanging out with my son. So knowing that you are doing the best you can and forgive yourself is very important. Enjoy the moment, don’t over think.
Number 4
Finding “me time is probably the key factor in maintaining my sanity. Its overwhelming, no time to sleep, no time to pee, no time to breath. When you are about to lose it, 2 babies crying and screaming, the house is a mess, and you are about to have a fight with your husband on why the house is a mess… it’s time to go out for a walk. You need it, clear your mind, tell a joke on TikTok, put on makeup and take a selfie, post on IG, hashtag “IMNOTGOINGCRAZY”
Number 3
I know getting help can be expansive, but it is very important. I have my mom helping me out, also work with 2 part time nannies.
I have a hard time leaving the babies alone with nanny like any mom would feel. However, you vetted the nanny, interviewed her former employers, read all the good reviews. You have to trust the person you hire, or it would be impossible to work as a full-time mom.
Number 2
Look good, feel good and do good. For me, when I put myself together, some makeup and hair, nice outfit. This naturally put me into a better mood, I am nicer to my husband, I have more patience with the baby. Actually, I’m more productive, maybe because I look good, I want to create more contents and catch up with work.
I’m a super lazy person, putting on makeup and a cute outfit will take 20 mins, but it is totally worth it, because my day would go much better. If I look like a mess, I hide in the closet and cry about being a fat loser.
Number 1
Hustle Hustle Hustle!!! Never take no for an answer. People say you will never work again with 2 babies, that did not stop me from having baby #2. Because I have the confidence that I’ll make it work. My mom had 3 kids, runs a business, nobody died.
I try to be confident and fight every day like a bulldog. I try not to be ashamed with my failures, I try to be reliant, as much as I can.
Being a mom is a great thing, it makes me stronger and tougher. I don’t mind haters anymore, I’m a tigress.
I’m always nice to people and trying my best to be helpful and supportive, but I don’t tolerate hate and bully.
I’m @jiaoyingsummers on TIKTOK/IG/TWITTER/CLUBHOUSE
My comedy club is @thehollywoodcomedy on TIKTOK/IG
