From Setback to Supermom Solution: Suphy Kung’s GillyGro Journey
How One Entrepreneur Turned a Layoff into a Global Brand Designed to Simplify Parenting—and Spark Hope
We are pleased to share this SuperCrowd Voices from the Community post with you. SuperCrowd Voices posts represent the views of our guest authors, not The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation. Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here. Interested in sharing your voice? Click here.

When Suphy Kung was laid off from her role at Tesla in 2019, she didn’t see it as the end. She saw it as the beginning.
“My entrepreneurial journey began after a corporate layoff,” Kung says. “It opened the door to e-commerce.” She started experimenting with Amazon selling, sourcing products wholesale from Alibaba. But success didn’t come overnight. “I struggled to find the right product,” she recalls. Still, Kung had a powerful asset most new entrepreneurs lack: a deep background in solving business problems as an organizational effectiveness consultant.
“I had spent years helping companies solve problems, so I knew how to spot a real need,” she explains. That skill would soon help her identify a gap in the market—one that was hiding in plain sight.
After reading thousands of Amazon reviews, Kung saw a common frustration voiced by parents: no diaper bag did it all. “It reminded me of my own struggles as a new mom many years ago,” she says. She also noticed something else: disorganized outings often created unnecessary stress for parents, sometimes even straining relationships. Post-pandemic hygiene concerns had only made things worse.
Motivated to solve these everyday challenges, Kung teamed up with two fellow moms to design something radically better. “We created the ultimate Swiss Army-style parent backpack,” she says. “It features a built-in booster seat, an extra-large mat, and a sleek, unisex design that even dads love to carry.”
The idea struck a chord. In 2022, their Kickstarter campaign soared past its funding goal by 115% within the first 24 hours. Over 8,000 parents and grandparents signed up in the pre-launch phase alone, eager to support the project. Demand quickly extended beyond the U.S.—with ten Japanese importers competing for exclusive rights after the campaign ended. GillyGro also caught the attention of trade show judges, earning top honors at the 2022 Tokyo Gift Show and winning two prestigious product awards in 2025.
For Kung, however, the product’s success is only part of the story. The way it was built matters just as much.
“At GillyGro, every product begins with real customer insight,” she explains. “Our signature 5-in-1 backpack was co-created with input from more than 2,000 parents in a private Facebook group.” That community helped shape the design over nine development iterations. The team also used tools like PickFu to test and validate features, pricing, and even color choices. “We incorporate direct feedback every step of the way,” Kung says.
Her experience in operations and performance effectiveness at companies like Bayer, Disney, and Tesla deeply informs GillyGro’s process. But it’s her heart-centered leadership—fueled by faith, purpose, and service—that drives the mission.
“After losing the career I had loved and dedicated 20 years to, I was given a second chance,” she reflects. “This e-commerce journey has brought new light into my life. It allows me to pour my heart into something that brings peace, joy, and meaningful moments to others—especially in this unpredictable and chaotic world.”
Kung is quick to point out that GillyGro isn’t just about bags. It’s about building a brand that nurtures connection and eases stress in everyday life. That’s why the company is expanding into new verticals. “We’re developing a Pet Owner Backpack and a Senior Travelers Organizer Bundle Set,” she says. “They’re designed with the same thoughtful, user-centric approach.”
The company’s 1-to-3-year vision includes launching on TikTok Marketplace, partnering with influencers and affiliate marketers, and expanding into the UK and Philippines. Kung is also preparing for a push into B2B channels—partnering with retailers, hospitality brands, and corporate gifting programs.
Behind these ambitious goals lies a deep personal mission: to help others find hope after setbacks.
“I know what it’s like to go through tough times,” Kung shares. “I hope my story can spark a little hope in someone else’s heart—because there is hope, all around them.”
It’s a message rooted in personal experience. Kung’s first two startups in her 30s didn’t succeed. “After two failed startup experiences, I walked away with two hard-earned lessons,” she says. “First, don’t scale too fast—high fixed costs can sink a small business. And second, never fund your business entirely from your own pocket. It’s important to separate personal finances from business risk.”
Today, Kung brings those lessons to every strategic decision. And she’s committed to sharing them with others. She mentors fellow women entrepreneurs through organizations like Mothers Together, Bible Study Fellowship, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
As GillyGro grows into a globally recognized brand, Kung remains grounded in her original vision: to simplify life for families and improve relationships through smart, functional design. “We’re not just building products,” she says. “We’re building impact—one journey, one family, one relationship at a time.”
Suphy Kung’s Bio
Suphy Lai Kung is the founder and CEO of GillyGro, a company known for designing innovative, parent-friendly backpacks that enhance organization, flexibility, and safety. Following a successful corporate career—including leadership roles at Tesla, Shanghai Disney Resort, and Bayer Pharmaceuticals—Ms. Kung transitioned to entrepreneurship after a layoff in 2019. She began by selling products on Amazon and eventually launched her own brand. With advanced degrees in human resources development and hotel management and certifications in Scrum and behavioral interviewing, she brings a unique blend of strategic and operational expertise. Deeply committed to empowering women, she is affiliated with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and the Worldwide Women’s Association. A dedicated mentor and faith-driven leader, Ms. Kung also volunteers with Mothers Together, Bible Study Fellowship, and Stephen Ministries. Fluent in five languages, she is developing a global platform to uplift Mandarin-speaking women through workshops, podcasts, and peer groups focused on healthy, balanced living.
Links:
Website: gillygro.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suphykung0901/
Crowdfunding campaign: invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/GillyGro
Instagram: instagram.com/gillygrobackpack/
TikTok: tiktok.com/@official.gillygro
YouTube: youtube.com/@gillygrobackpack
Max-Impact Members
The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:
Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here
Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
SuperCrowdLA: We’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!
Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.
SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!
SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition, but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!
Community Event Calendar
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.
Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.
Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.
Call for community action:
Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefitting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.
If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.
Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here.