Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025: An Interview with Kiki Lee

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are thrilled to sit down with Kiki Lee , from our sales department. Kiki’s career is a remarkable story of perseverance, growth, and balance. As a sales manager, mother, wife, and independent woman, Kiki has faced her share of challenges in the workplace, yet her journey has been defined by hard work, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

In this interview, Kiki reflects on her ten years in the industry, sharing how she has overcome obstacles and turned them into opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Her story is one of strength, wisdom, and the power of staying true to oneself.

Q: Kiki, thank you so much for taking the time to join us for this interview. Today is International Women’s Day, and we’d love to hear about your experience as a woman in the workplace. First, can you share your growth story in your career?

K:Of course! Actually, this year marks my tenth year in the vape industry. Looking back, when I first started, I didn’t have many resources or advantages like many others, but I had a clear goal and a well-defined career plan. Given my relatively low starting point, I knew the only way to catch up with others was through hard work and dedication. Of course, gender was one of the challenges I faced. As a woman in the workplace, it’s often more difficult to gain resources compared to male colleagues, especially in certain industries where women may face prejudice and stereotypes. This made me realize that besides solid professional skills, I also needed to continually break through these limitations and prove my worth through action.

In client development and management, I’ve always been meticulous and patient, aiming to ensure every detail is taken care of. I also pay great attention to empathy, always trying to understand the client’s needs from their perspective and provide better solutions. I often think that the problems my clients face are my own problems, and only by genuinely solving their issues can we build long-lasting trust and cooperation.

Due to time zone differences, I often communicate with clients in the early hours to ensure that everything progresses smoothly. It’s this attitude of not shying away from hard work and perseverance that has gradually earned me recognition and opportunities in the workplace.

Throughout my career development, although there have been many challenges and difficulties, I’ve always been grateful for every opportunity to grow. By the age of 21, I was able to buy my first car through my own efforts, and by 24, I had my own house. These accomplishments couldn’t have happened without the support and help of many people, and I never forget to thank those who have guided and supported me.

The biggest gain from this journey has not only been professional progress but also the continuous improvement of my sense of responsibility and problem-solving abilities. I believe that by remaining humble and constantly learning, I can continue to face new challenges and seize new opportunities.

Q: You mentioned gender challenges, could you elaborate? As a female salesperson, have you faced any special pressures or obstacles in the workplace?

K:Indeed, women sometimes face invisible biases in the workplace. In the beginning, I often felt that I had to work harder than my male colleagues to get the same opportunities and recognition. Especially in sales, women tend to face more stereotypes. People might think a woman’s success is just because of her looks or other external factors, not because of her true ability and hard work. When I first entered the workforce, this kind of bias made me feel frustrated, but it also motivated me to work even harder to prove myself. During my career, I’ve encountered situations where someone used my profile to communicate with clients, trying to exploit my gender for improper gain. This made me feel angry and helpless because such behavior undoubtedly deepens the societal bias against female salespeople, creating unnecessary challenges for us.

Fortunately, our company has always provided fair opportunities and resources for women, focusing on ability rather than gender. This has allowed me to grow in a supportive and encouraging environment, constantly improving myself. I also know that only through practical actions and continued effort can we eliminate these biases and let our achievements speak for themselves. I firmly believe that women can excel in the workplace based on their professional skills and efforts, and gain the recognition they deserve.

Through continuous striving, I have gradually overcome these biases, and I hope to set an example for more women in the workplace, proving that women can succeed in their careers too.

Q: We know that you are not only a sales manager but also a wife and mother. How do you balance marriage, motherhood, and your career? Do you feel the pressure of the “motherhood penalty”?

K:To be honest, I think the concept of “motherhood penalty” is a false dilemma. It’s interesting that men are never asked such questions. Society seems to default to the idea that women should take care of their families and children, and with societal progress, women are also expected to excel in their careers and are encouraged to be independent. My answer is that it’s impossible to balance everything perfectly; sacrifices must be made, especially after having children, this feeling becomes even stronger.

If I dedicate more energy to work, I have to sacrifice time spent with my children. At one point, I tried to find a balance between work and parenting, but after a while, I found myself exhausted. Fortunately, my family has been a great help, allowing me to focus more on my work.

Under traditional views, women who cannot balance both parenting and career often face more criticism and judgment. In reality, it’s almost impossible to be both a “career woman” and a “perfect mother.” So, I’ve learned not to be too hard on myself, lowering my expectations, which has made things easier.

The emergence of the term “motherhood penalty” highlights the negative impact women face in the workplace due to motherhood. It refers to the unfair treatment that women may experience, such as salary reductions, limited promotion opportunities, or lower work evaluations, simply because they are mothers. Fortunately, my company has never treated me differently just because I am a working mother.

Q: It sounds like you are not only a strong career woman but also a mother who faces challenges head-on. What does the label “independent woman” mean to you?

K:Thank you for the recognition! For me, being an “independent woman” means fully pursuing my career in the workplace while also maintaining clear control over my life choices. It’s not just about financial independence but also emotional self-consistency and self-worth. Whether it’s making key decisions in my career progression or balancing family responsibilities, I’ve always faced challenges with confidence and resilience, staying true to myself while navigating multiple social roles.

This kind of independence is not about living in isolation but about building a clear sense of self: knowing when to create a support system and how to anchor your values amidst the currents of life. It’s this inner strength that has allowed me to stay true to my inner compass throughout my ten-year career, ensuring I move more steadily and further as I cross each milestone.

Q:I completely agree with your perspective. As someone with rich, hands-on experience in the workplace, could you share some growth advice for the new generation of women?

K: My career success formula is:

– Develop a decision-maker’s mindset: Dare to express your views clearly in meetings, use professional expertise to earn your voice, and make “being a woman” synonymous with a multifaceted perspective.

– Build core competitiveness: Master a cutting-edge methodology each year, stay informed through industry communities, and build a moat around your skills.

– Practice soft leadership: Leverage the unique crisis empathy that women possess and turn team coordination into a strategic advantage—this is one of the rarest abilities in the AI era.

– Cultivate a growth-oriented network: Build a mentorship circle across generations, be the star that illuminates others, and also have the courage to draw light from the galaxy.

Q:Thank you for your sincere sharing today! Through a decade of practical experience, you have proven a profound truth: true workplace equality begins with transforming “feminine qualities” into irreplaceable strategic advantages. What is most inspiring in your story are those traits once seen as “soft”—attention to detail, emotional decoding, and crisis empathy—which have now become the keys to solving organizational challenges. Isn’t this the best interpretation of the value of workplace diversity?

K:This is exactly the intent behind my sharing. I hope every woman can hold three keys: the key to unlocking career potential, the key to balancing life, and the most precious one— the key to always staying true to oneself. The road ahead may be foggy, but we will ultimately walk towards a vast horizon, reflected in each other’s light.