Meet Jiemi Gao, a strategy consultant turned entrepreneur who founded Nuri, a mentorship community for moms. Her journey began with her own experiences of motherhood—navigating the challenges of parenting during the pandemic and recognizing the gaps in support for new mothers. Today, she is building a space where women can connect, share, and uplift each other through mentorship. Humans of Fuzia is featuring Jiemi because her story resonates with our mission of supporting women, highlighting how one woman’s vision can empower many. With over 5 million community members, we believe in amplifying voices like hers under the spirit of He for She and She for She.
Q: What inspired you to start Nuri?
A: I spent the past 10 years in strategy consulting, and when I became a mom five years ago, during the pandemic, I encountered many challenges that made me think about how we can better support mothers. The idea really began then, but it took shape after my second child was born two years ago. I started interviewing moms, listening to their experiences, and figuring out what they truly needed. Through those conversations, I pivoted a few times before landing on Nuri—the idea of creating a mentorship platform where moms could both give and receive support.
Q: How has the journey been so far?
A: It’s been both exciting and humbling. I started with LinkedIn outreach and professional women’s groups on Slack, which helped me onboard 100 beta users earlier this year. About 40% of them were people I already knew, while 60% were complete strangers who believed in the idea. That gave me confidence that there was a real need for this kind of platform.
Q: How does mentorship work on Nuri?
A: Everyone who joins can be both a mentor and a mentee. For example, a mom who has experience with fertility treatments or pregnancy can guide others, even if she hasn’t yet had her child. It’s about sharing lived experiences. At the same time, moms can also seek support for challenges they are facing. It’s built on the belief that no one has to go through this journey alone.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a new founder?
A: One of the biggest challenges is, of course, reaching people and testing whether the idea resonates. Right now, I’m running Nuri through simple tools like Google Sheets and Forms as a workaround to test demand before building the tech platform. My focus is on learning what moms need and building something that genuinely supports them, rather than rushing into a polished product.
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting their entrepreneurial journey?
A: I would say—know what you really want from the experience. Starting a business is not a small thing, and it’s important to be clear on your priorities. Don’t just do it because you’re running away from something else. Understand why you’re doing it, and what you want to accomplish. That clarity will guide you through the ups and downs.
Q: What’s next for Nuri?
A: I’ll be launching the Nuri tech platform later this year. Right now, it’s a private beta with limited users, but once the platform goes live, it will be open to the public for moms everywhere to join, connect, and thrive together.
“In motherhood and in entrepreneurship, you don’t have to do it alone—community and mentorship can make all the difference.” – Jiemi Gao
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