Couple Quit 6-Figure Jobs to Launch Family Business

Working with your spouse can be complicated, but boundaries help, say No Reception Club cofounders.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:31am by Ben Kaplan

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Gemma and Daniel Ng, a married couple in Vancouver, left their corporate careers in fashion and tech to cofound No Reception Club, a company that creates travel products for parents. They share their advice for working with a spouse, including the importance of setting boundaries between work and personal time.

Why it matters

The story highlights how some professionals are choosing to leave high-paying corporate jobs to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in the family and parenting product space. It also explores the unique challenges and benefits of working with a spouse, which is becoming more common as remote work and flexible schedules allow for greater collaboration between partners.

The details

Gemma spent a decade in fashion at companies like Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic, while Daniel worked in finance and tech at firms like Yelp. After the birth of their son in 2019, they decided to launch No Reception Club, a company that creates travel products for parents, after a disastrous family trip. They initially balanced their startup work with their corporate jobs, but Daniel eventually left Yelp to focus on the business full-time. The couple has raised over $240,000 through crowdfunding campaigns to develop and launch their first product, the Getaway Bag.

  • Gemma and Daniel Ng met while studying international business in college.
  • Their son was born in 2019.
  • Gemma quit her job in March 2020 to work on the business full-time.
  • The couple launched their first Kickstarter campaign in July-August 2021, raising nearly $67,000.
  • Daniel quit his job at Yelp in 2021 to focus on No Reception Club full-time.

The players

Gemma Ng

The 39-year-old cofounder of No Reception Club, who previously spent a decade working in fashion at companies like Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic.

Daniel Ng

The 38-year-old cofounder of No Reception Club, who previously worked in finance and tech at firms like Yelp and One Kings Lane.

No Reception Club

The family business cofounded by Gemma and Daniel Ng that creates travel products for parents.

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What they’re saying

“We felt challenged, and we were working in industries we admired. I once thought it'd be so cool to be VP of merchandising at a retailer I love. Daniel had ambitions in tech leadership.”

— Gemma Ng, Cofounder, No Reception Club (Business Insider)

“I realized I was giving my best hours to someone else and my worst hours to our family business. I didn't want to regret not betting on us.”

— Daniel Ng, Cofounder, No Reception Club (Business Insider)

What’s next

The couple plans to continue growing No Reception Club and expanding their product line of travel accessories for families.

The takeaway

Gemma and Daniel's story shows how some professionals are finding fulfillment in leaving high-paying corporate jobs to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in the family product space. Their experience also highlights the unique challenges and benefits of working with a spouse, emphasizing the importance of setting clear boundaries between work and personal life.