Adlena Wong: Not a Side Hustle — Building Work, Identity, and Home Across Cultures

Episode summary In this episode of International Career Journey, Dr Sherrie Lee speaks with Adlena Wong, founder of Super Shiok Eats, a Singaporean food business based in Auckland, New Zealand, and an experienced communications professional working across Singapore and New Zealand. Adlena shares a deeply reflective international career story about migration, motherhood, identity, and redefining work. From arriving in New Zealand just before COVID, to taking on community jobs, to building a food business during lockdown, this episode explores how international careers are often built quietly, creatively, and courageously — one decision at a time. What you’ll hear in this episode Arriving in New Zealand just before COVID — and finding unexpected strength in lockdown Starting from scratch: paper runs, school volunteering, and community work Building a food business during lockdown — and feeding people’s sense of home Portfolio careers, identity, and redefining professional worth What “home” means when you live across countries About the guest Adlena Wong is the founder of Super Shiok Eats, a Singaporean food business based in Auckland, and a communications professional working in the New Zealand public sector. Her career spans Singapore and New Zealand and reflects a portfolio approach to work, grounded in craft, care, and cultural identity. LinkedIn (Super Shiok Eats):   / super-shiok-eats   LinkedIn (Adlena):   / adlena   Website: https://www.supershiokeats.com About the Host Dr Sherrie Lee is a career coach and educator for international professionals — originally from Singapore, based in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, and coaching clients worldwide. Through a positive psychology lens, she supports international and migrant professionals navigating career and cultural transitions. LinkedIn:   / leesherrie   Website: https://thediasporicacademic.com Subscribe to International Career Journey International Career Journey features real stories of resilience, reinvention, and careers shaped across cultures — from people building meaningful work lives across borders. If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to International Career Journey wherever you listen — and share it with a fellow international professional navigating change. 🎧 Subscribe where you listen Want more? Sign up for the International Career Journey newsletter for reflections, resources, and career insights delivered to your inbox. 📩 Subscribe on Substack: https://drsherrielee.substack.com