I Became a Mother at The Age of Seventeen

Originally from Taipei, Tina cultivated her passion for observing city life while cycling through the streets on her cherished bicycle, Manu. Tina took her two interests — people-watching and empathetic engagement with the city environment— to explore a career in marketing at BLIVE GLOBAL.

I became a mother at the age of seventeen.

Manu, a black road bicycle, is my first child. 

For as long as I can remember, I polished Manu every weekend for the best riding experience around Taipei City. While the thrill of pedaling against the headwind was pleasant, the interaction between people and the city was what made the ride truly worthwhile. Occasionally, I scrutinized the silhouettes of pedestrians reflected in coffee shop windows. I saw a man in a tailored suit, crisp and upright, embodying the rush of Taipei’s professional pulse. Beside him, a child’s form appeared next, the slight blur capturing the essence of youthfulness. In another part of the reflection, a young couple’s silhouettes intertwined, encapsulating the romance that thrives even amidst the urban hustle. Their movements were fluid and lively, in osmosis with the city. A series of seemingly unrelated individuals wove together to form the organic reality of Taipei – something that seeks, tests, and invites human improvisation.

Those city rides with Manu felt like transcending into a different state of being; I could see within from without.

When I moved to Los Angeles for BLIVE GLOBAL, it felt natural to comprehend this city with the same empathetic, spectatorial perspective. 

Fast forward six years, I'm happy to report that Manu is still going strong! We recently enjoyed a weekend fun ride from Newport to Seal Beach with my colleague, Josh.

Coasting down Newport Beach with Manu, I was reminded of Taipei. Yet LA had its own unique rhythm and scale. One property, in particular, caught my eye. Its façade, defined by floor-to-ceiling windows and carefully curated greenery, underscored the property’s luxurious aesthetic. Inside, a female figure moved gracefully through the room, enjoying the panoramic ocean view from her plush lounge chair.

As I pedaled back to the parked car, the scenery shifted dramatically. The gleaming estates gave way to more modest homes. Just as the scent of palm trees mingled with the salty sea breeze, the beachfront properties interlaced with wandering, unhoused people. Each in constant, independent motion, yet there was a shared pride all Angelenos seemed to hold onto.

While LA is too big, too diverse, and too complex for me to fully comprehend, one thing I know for sure is this: people and life come first, always. 

At the nexus of BLIVE GLOBAL, we constantly ask what ideas we should pursue, what environments give form to those ideas, and what company culture enables that environment. The intense dialogue of questioning everything means that no single person holds the solution.

We never walk into a meeting with a preconceived notion of how a project should work, look, or feel. Everyone feels that they have a chance to be heard. We pool different skill sets, perspectives, and sensibilities in a supportive environment. We do everything we love and translate that same passion into productivity.

Because great ideas are informed by the spaces around them and are amenable to individual experiences.