Entrepreneurial Couple Launches Eight Businesses While Navigating Parenthood

Jonny Parker and Julia Capon, a couple living in Raumati Beach, New Zealand, have successfully launched eight businesses together while balancing the demands of parenthood. This dynamic duo embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship, drawing on their individual strengths to create impactful ventures, including Thundergrid, an electric vehicle infrastructure company, and For Impact Coach, which supports leaders in the not-for-profit sector.

Jonny, 42, was born in Hampshire, UK, where his father worked as an aeronautical engineer for British Airways. His entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 14 when he started his first business refurbishing classic speakers. After completing university, Jonny launched an eco-friendly business, which he sold at 24 to travel. His travels led him to New Zealand, where he initially planned to stay for one year, but has since made it his home for over a decade.

Julia, also 42, hails from Gisborne but moved to Dunedin to live with her father after her parents separated. She dedicated her career to social impact, spending four years as the marketing manager at Trade Aid before founding Do Good Jobs, a jobs board for the not-for-profit sector, which she sold two years later.

The couple’s paths crossed in 2012 during the early days of online dating. Their first meeting at a café quickly evolved into a five-hour conversation at a bar. Jonny found Julia to be his type—beautiful with a shared passion for sustainability and ethical issues. A pivotal moment in their relationship occurred during a space camp outing, where Jonny realized Julia’s willingness to embrace his nerdy interests signaled a strong connection.

Despite their strong partnership, challenges have not been absent. The couple’s son Perren was born with a rare brain disorder known as lissencephaly, which affects brain development and can lead to seizures and developmental delays. Jonny expressed how blindsided they felt by the diagnosis, but emphasized their resilience as a team, stating, “There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side through this than Julia.”

Julia acknowledges the difficulties of navigating life with a child who has complex medical needs but remains grateful for Jonny’s unwavering support. She describes him as a problem-solver who shares her risk-taking mentality. Their relationship has grown through open communication, including a weekly check-in they call the “State of the Nation,” where they express gratitude and discuss any tensions while planning for the week ahead.

The couple’s commitment to each other extends beyond their personal lives. Together, they have launched eight businesses, strategically dividing roles to avoid overlap. Jonny focuses on product development and sales, while Julia manages marketing and accounting. They credit clear communication and shared values for their success in both parenting and entrepreneurship.

While neither Jonny nor Julia prioritized marriage initially, the birth of their daughter, Maia, prompted them to consider a long-term commitment. Their wedding, initially planned as a grand celebration in Gisborne, was scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a more intimate ceremony on Raumati Beach two years ago, they celebrated not just their wedding but also their 40th birthdays and a housewarming.

Through their journey, Jonny and Julia exemplify how love, shared values, and entrepreneurial spirit can create a powerful partnership, enabling them to navigate the complexities of family life while driving innovative business initiatives.