I have always worked full time, also as a mother – and I have always lived far away from my parents’ home. I know what it feels like to be in two worlds at the same time. My days were, and still are, a constant mix of demanding projects at work, school runs, and late-night calls with my parents. Are they doing well? What is on their mind? And are they really being honest about how they are? Like so many people, especially women, who shoulder most of the unpaid caregiving while building their own family and a career, I feel the invisible weight of being “the responsible one” for everyone.

What I could not accept was that our conversations had shrunk to weather updates and medical checklists. When I realised how much stories and reminiscence can strengthen mood, identity, and connection, I also saw that I was not alone in this. With my background in product development and team leadership, I founded ULKA to give families simple tools for memory-rich conversations. ULKA by now is a non-for profit easy-to-use channel based initiative.

More about me: Nicole N.