Jai Victoria Bae was raised in Seoul, South Korea, by her widowed mother. Her mother raised her to be an independent woman, despite living in a country where women were (and still often are) subservient to men. She believed that as a woman Jai would have to leave Korea in order to live as an equal in society. Jai immigrated to the United States when she was 19.

What has been your biggest hurdle, and how did you overcome it?

When I first came to America, Korea was an unknown country to most. My biggest hurdle was that I spoke no English and had incredible difficulty communicating when I first landed. When I tried to find work they would say, "You don't even speak English, Chink1x Go back to where you came from."

Frantically, I searched for work, any work, while attending school during the day. I was not able to talk on the telephone, so the best I could do was to drop into every possible business and try to ask if they needed help1x Finally, I found some odd jobs through a friend. My focus was to save money and try to improve my English skills. I never again wanted to hear those awful insults.

From English school to graduating college took almost 7 years. But I now knew English and could communicate all that I had wanted to say all along, and it felt great1x

These experiences are why being the publisher of a bilingual magazine, Koreanday.com, is so important to me, and I hope, to others. Yet, I had to face a reality that made it all seem out of reach‹I was a "cyberdummy." Women my age were not taught how to use computers, and we do not easily learn new things completely. Despite my fear of technology, I refused to abandon the idea of Koreanday.com. Endlessly, I would share my vision with others, and over time, a group of investors and technically capable people came together over this same objective: Launching Koreanday.com, "The Bilingual Internet Magazine." I am starting all over again, even as I near 50.

What attracted you to the field you are in?

Once settled in America, I was determined to live the American dream and be my own boss. I opened a boutique, named Baylee Boutique after the two owners: myself, Jai Bae, and my partner, Ms. Lee. What did I know about business? Not surprisingly, I completely underestimated what was involved‹despite pouring endless money and time into the business, it failed miserably within a year.

Later, one of the oldest and most famous hotels in Chicago offered me an assistant's job, which I jumped at. In the late '80s and until 1996, I lived in Princeton, New Jersey. I went back to school for a B.F.A. in Fine Arts, and eventually, I worked as an Associate Director for an affluent art gallery in Short Hills, NJ. Then, in 1996, I moved to New York and began working as a fashion consultant.

In New York I came across many Koreans. Yet, something bothered me greatly. These other Koreans and I never acknowledged each other as compatriots. In addition, young Koreans speak English, their parents, Korean. So much is being lost between fellow citizens and between parents and their children.

I became obsessed with the thought that there must be a way that these 70 million Korean speakers from 147 countries can better share the culture, language, and philosophy of our ancestral home. I believed that an internet magazine could be the best way to span these gaps.

Did you have a mentor, friend, experience or new awareness that encouraged you in this direction?

My mother encouraged me to be independent, but she always would say to me, "Be a person who gives back to our people." She inspired me to be a believer and giver.

Since marrying in the 80's, my husband and my mother-in law have been inspirational on my road to publishing. My role model has been, and continues to be, Ghandi because he gave so much, so freely to others. On a daily basis, I try to stay true to the scholar Confucius's teachings of balance and harmony, because that is what sustains life.

What's your greatest business accomplishment?

Having launched and established the only Korean bilingual magazine is something that I, and our team, all feel very good about. We do get many responses from readers that are so encouraging, and it is wonderful to see how we are making a positive contribution to the community1x

What qualities about being a woman have made you successful in business?

Women are instinctively nurturing, and we work to understand one another, which makes a career in communications easier for me. Though technology is often my enemy, my intuition, caring, and sensibilities together have given me the tools necessary to work through both business and life's challenges.

What challenges have you faced in being a woman entrepreneur?

My name, and its spelling, leads many to believe I am a man. Then when we meet, or converse over the phone, I often note a certain letdown, in the voice or body language, of the other person. People often expect those in authority to be men. I have to work to earn the basic respect simply granted men in similar positions. Too often I am viewed primarily as a woman, rather than as a colleague or associate.

What advice would you give a woman just starting out in your field?

It is a long, marathon, be prepared to hang on1x And whatever you anticipate in costs, complexities, and time, double it and then you will have only "underestimated" the reality by 50%. But ladies, your destiny is out there, as they say, "be all you can be1x"

How have you changed as a person and in the way you do business as a result of your involvement in your career/organization?

I communicate with many different people and engage in many functions as publisher. Because I work with advanced technologies, I am often more aware of how modern technology is revolutionizing daily life. I use these lessons to be more productive personally and professionally, and to be more responsive to our customers.

How do you think women can best support one another in your field?

No on can survive alone in any field. We women in new media must encourage each other, go out of our way to partner with and support one another, network and share. If we pool talent, resources, and information, we will prevail1x

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?

Everything I have done and went through are experiences that define who I am. There are things I could have done better, or am not happy about, but I am, and our company is, a product of what we have learned and are learning through experience. What counts is starting; the rest will work its way out if you give it a chance and diligent effort.

I would like to urge your readers to remember that they have families, and they are most important. If I could, I would get in a "Time Machine" to go back in time to visit my mother in order to spend more time with her. She is gone. Don't wait until your loved ones are -- enjoy their company and share their love every day.

What goal do you have yet to achieve for yourself professionally?

We would like Koreanday.com to help millions become inspired, informed, and to become the best they can be1x

How do you balance your career and your family obligations?

I try to balance whatever I do in daily life. Most of my family is in Australia. We constantly speak to one another, and I try to give as much as I can, mentally and physically despite the distance -- our love penetrates one another. They are a priority that I remind myself of daily.

My husband and I are best friends and we laugh like kids, play like children, and have great conversations, and we do it all regularly. Even if it is after a very long day, week, month, year, and in the middle of the night. We are in love, and I am in love with his family. I consider myself blessed in many ways.

My interests are vast and broad. I enjoy reading, art, ecology/nature, women's activism, music, travel, etc. Most of all, I love communicating and sharing knowledge with others.

Do you have time for volunteer work? Do you serve on any committees?

As a company we try very hard to support non-profit groups serving the community. You will find prime space devoted to several very worthy groups at Koreanday.com. In addition to donating the space, we design their sites/ presence, etc. Recently I was awarded a "Miillenium Award" for community involvement in New York.

Email Jai Bae at Jai@the-day.com. Visit her online web magazine at Koreanday.com.