Roxi Biribicchi: Collide, Complement, and Create

CEO of Near Creative Roxi Biribicchi reveals how a relationship built on complementary personalities can make the pursuit of success—and parenthood—a whole lot easier.

At some point, managing the household isn’t all a mom wants to do. Many mothers eventually feel the pull to create something of their own—a business, a passion project, or a career they can proudly call theirs. But how do you pursue those ambitions without losing yourself—or your family—in the process?

For entrepreneur and mother of two Roxi Biribicchi, the answer begins with knowing yourself and choosing a partner whose strengths balance your own.

“My husband was more of the content-type,” Roxi shares. “He enjoyed moments, but I loved the thrill of the chase and ambition.”

While their arrangement may seem unconventional to more traditional families, it works. Roxi leads Near Creative, a creative agency she founded nearly a decade ago, while her husband takes on a more hands-on role at home. Instead of competing for the same space, they support one another’s strengths.

“It’s my dream to be a stay-at-home dad,” her husband had told her early in their relationship—a vision that aligned surprisingly well with Roxi’s naturally entrepreneurial personality.

Building a Life—and a Village—Before Parenthood

Long before children entered the picture, Roxi and her husband spent years intentionally building their relationship and shaping the life they wanted together.

“We were together for eight years before starting a family,” she recalls. “Four years in Manila, four years in Switzerland. We really had an equal stay in both places.”

That time gave them the opportunity to understand themselves individually and as a couple before taking on the responsibilities of parenthood.

Moving to Switzerland wasn’t an escape from the Philippines. In fact, Roxi says she genuinely loved her life in Manila. “There was this need to explore,” she explains. “Most people who live in the Philippines say, ‘I’m so tired of it, I want to leave,’ but that wasn’t the case for me. I actually love it here. I was just curious to see what life would be like in another country.”

That curiosity ultimately reshaped her perspective on success, family, and everyday living. In Switzerland, she encountered a culture that valued slowing down and appreciating simple pleasures—long walks, afternoons by the river, cycling through neighborhoods, and spending time outdoors with family. It stood in stark contrast to Metro Manila’s fast-paced hustle culture.

“My husband was the first person I met who told me he was happy with how things already were,” Roxi says. “That was shocking to me at first.”

Over time, she realized that contentment wasn’t the opposite of ambition. Instead, it offered a different way of defining a meaningful life.

Another lesson came through the importance of community. While Switzerland has a Filipino population, Roxi says nothing can fully replace having family nearby. What made the difference was finding a “chosen family” among neighbors and friends.

“When I had my first kid, I didn’t have that community yet,” she says. “When I had the second, I did. It was such a huge difference.”

She fondly recalls how, shortly after giving birth, a Chinese neighbor sent a five-course meal to the hospital. It was a simple gesture, but one that left a lasting impression on her. Acts of kindness like these, she says, carry immense meaning, especially during the vulnerable early days of parenthood. The experience reinforced a lesson she has come to deeply believe: raising children was never meant to be a solo journey, but one supported by the care, generosity, and presence of a community.

The Secret to Balancing Motherhood and Business

As Near Creative grew to a team of more than 30 people, Roxi discovered that balance wasn’t about doing everything simultaneously.

It was about being fully present wherever she was.

“I can’t be a good mom if I’m working while my son is around, and I can’t be a good boss if my son is trying to play with me during a meeting,” she says.

Instead of chasing the impossible goal of “having it all,” she separates her roles as much as possible. When she’s with her children, work takes a backseat. When she’s working, she gives her business her full attention.

She applies the same mindset to the pressure many mothers feel from social media.

“I think there’s so much noise,” she says. “You need to be really solitary in understanding: What are your expectations of yourself as a mom? How do you want to be a parent?”

For Roxi, clarity is the antidote to overwhelm.

“When you’re extra clear about what you want, it’s easier to ignore the noise.”

Success Looks Different for Every Mom

Asked what advice she would give mothers hoping to build something of their own, Roxi doesn’t launch into a speech about working harder or maximizing productivity. Instead, her answer is rooted in compassion.

“I don’t think women need more pushing,” she says. “I think they need more kindness toward themselves.”

It’s a perspective shaped by years of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. Roxi believes many women carry impossible expectations, feeling pressure to be a perfect parent, spouse, daughter, friend, employee, and entrepreneur all at once.

“We have internalized this idea that we have to be everything to everyone at all times. It’s just not feasible.”

Rather than chasing an idealized version of success, she encourages mothers to define what success looks like for them in their current season of life. For some, that season may be focused on building a business. For others, it may mean being more present with young children. And for many, it may be a combination of both—tempered by realistic expectations and a willingness to let go of perfection.

“Be crystal clear about what you want,” Roxi says. “When you’re not clear, that’s when you’ll get pulled in multiple directions.”

It’s a simple philosophy, but one that extends far beyond motherhood. In a world full of competing demands and constant noise, knowing what matters most can make all the difference.

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