“Being super pregnant and isolated wasn’t easy,” Shares Mum Of Two Who Created A Playdate App

“I didn’t want other parents to go through the same loneliness, so I created an app that helps parents and kids in Singapore connect easily.”

We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what if you don’t have a village? That’s what spurred Japanese-American mama Kana to create BubStreet with her two friends-turned-BubStreet co-founders in Singapore. Having lived in the U.S. for most of her life before moving to Singapore, Kana has aimed to create an easy way for like-minded parents to connect.

We speak to Kana about her family, career and life. She shares what it felt like having to take a step back in her career and getting past the challenges of living in Singapore for the first time and her journey as a mum with two young kids.

Read our past That Mama interviews here.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I’m Kana, a mom to two energetic boys, aged 4 and 1. My husband Alex and I met in New York, and we’ve been inseparable for over a decade. We moved to Singapore a few years ago, where

I work as an Executive Director at a bank. I’m also the co-founder of BubStreet, a free playdate app created to help parents connect with others in their neighbourhood, so they can build a supportive ‘village’ to raise their children. With no family in Singapore, this became especially important to us, and we’ve made wonderful friends through our kids.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

Though I was born in Japan, I grew up in the U.S., living in California, Chicago, and New York. My career has taken me around the world, including Japan, New York, and now Singapore. Our family’s home base is in Hawaii, where we spend every summer, despite the 14+ hour flight. It’s our happy place, which is why both of our children have Hawaiian names.

What brought you to Singapore?

My husband, who also worked on Wall Street, wanted to pivot his career to focus on helping individuals rather than corporations. I supported his dream, though initially, I felt like I was stepping back in my own career, having been at the headquarters before. Now, I realise it was the best decision for our family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How has life in Singapore been so far?

Life in Singapore has been a mix of challenges and rewards. Moving here just before the pandemic made the early days tough—being super pregnant and isolated wasn’t easy. I relied heavily on virtual resources to learn the basics of motherhood.

However, finding friends through NMSG (New Mothers’ Support Group) and now with BubStreet has made a world of difference. Despite the challenges of raising two small kids while juggling a full-time job and my passion project, I’m enjoying life on this sunny island more and more.

Tell us a little about your career pre-and-post kids.

My career has taken me from Japan to New York to Singapore, with experiences across multiple divisions that have shaped me into a well-rounded leader. Working in the male-dominated financial industry has its challenges, especially when it comes to diversity as the reality is that leaders are still mostly men and women tend to take a step back once they become mothers.

I’m proud to have been promoted to Executive Director right after having my first child, proving that motherhood doesn’t have to slow down your career. However, my priorities have shifted—these days, I’m rarely in the office after 6pm because my focus is on getting home to my boys. I do log back in after they’re asleep, and I travel often for work, but I’m grateful to have a supportive husband and helper who make it possible for me to manage it all.

And on top of that, I work on BubStreet late at night. If I am honest, it’s exhausting, but knowing it helps parents and kids find playdates makes it all worthwhile.

What inspired the creation of BubStreet?

BubStreet was born out of my personal experience. Moving to a new country, dealing with the pandemic, and being away from family took a toll on me. I didn’t want other parents to go through the same loneliness, so I created an app that helps parents and kids in Singapore connect easily. I also wanted to challenge the idea that only moms should be arranging playdates, so BubStreet is for dads too! It’s great to see dads actively involved in parenting and sharing responsibilities equally.

Give us a quick rundown on how BubStreet works.

BubStreet has two main features. First, it connects parents and kids in the same neighborhood, with profiles sorted by proximity to your postal code. This makes it easy to find playmates who share similar interests or speak the same language. The second feature allows users to post or search for activities and events nearby. We designed this to help parents crowdsource companions for activities, without the overwhelm of constant WhatsApp messages.

Businesses have also started using the app to promote events, offering perks to our members. Additionally, we host monthly community events that bring parents and kids together. These events range from discounted playdates at play spaces, shopping and crafting sessions, to fitness classes that you can enjoy with your little one.

One of our signature events is our quarterly preloved swap. We collect donations of outgrown children’s clothes, toys, shoes, and books in good condition, pre-sort and organise them, and then invite participants to come and “swap” for items in the next size up. It’s a way to pass on preloved items within the community in a sustainable way. Our next one is planned on Sunday, 29 September. And of course, we occasionally host events just for the parents at night—because we all need a night out now and then!

What are some things you’ve learned through the BubStreet community?

I’ve learned that many parents were looking for exactly what BubStreet offers. It’s been incredibly rewarding to hear from moms and dads who’ve connected through the app and formed new friendships based on shared interests.

What is your parenting philosophy?

One of my guiding principles is the golden rule—treating others as you want to be treated. I aim to raise kind, respectful children, while also nurturing their intellectual curiosity. When they go through that “why, why, why” phase, I do my best to answer every question, even if it means stretching my own knowledge!

What’s your favourite family ritual?

One of my favourite rituals is when the four of us put our hands together in the middle and shout “ohhhhhh TEAM!” It’s heartwarming to see my 4-year-old do this with such enthusiasm, especially since I remember when he was too little to understand what we were doing before. It’s a reminder that we’re a team that will always support one another.

What is your favourite thing to do with kids in Singapore?

We love exploring new places in Singapore, and I often share our adventures on BubStreet’s Instagram. From museums and water play to playgrounds and even malls, there’s always something new to discover. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the pool potluck parties I host with friends, which I sometimes open up to the BubStreet community. It’s a great way to enjoy the weekend – with friends, old & new!

Do you have any adventures/ventures planned next?

We just had a busy summer with trips to Bali for a wedding and Thailand for my mother’s birthday, but we’re eager to explore more of the region. Since I moved right before the pandemic, there are still so many neighbouring countries we haven’t seen yet. We’re also planning a trip to Japan this winter so our younger one can experience snow for the first time and start learning to ski!
On a more personal note, my husband and I are currently planning for baby number 3 as we embark on our IVF journey. We’ve always dreamed of being a family of five, and we hope that this dream will come true soon.

Quick-fire questions:
As a mama I wish I were better at… time management— there never seem to be enough hours in the day to juggle my full-time job, BubStreet, and spending quality time with my boys.
I wish I had more time for… my kids and my husband, but also for myself.
I always feel saner after… going dancing with my friends or date night with my husband after the kids go to bed.
I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about… whether I missed another school communication—there’s so much to keep up with now that my older son is in an international school!
My favourite moment of the day is… coming home after a long day and seeing my kids’ eyes light up when they see me walk through the door.

Thank you, Kana for sharing with us your personal journey and how Bubstreet came to be! If you’re looking for a way to connect with other parents in Singapore, be it to find your village or arrange playdates for your little one, check out Bubstreet here. 

Read past That Mama interviews here.