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.
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.
