How I Got Here: Yoshiko Takiguchi

“I wish I could be a part of such an energizing community!”

I first learned about FEW when they held a special event at my work place, H&R Roppongi, and that was my first impression.

I was born and raised in Saitama, Japan, but I chose to go to university in the United States, hoping to broaden my horizons and to become a globally-minded business person. After my graduation from the university, I started my career at Shimada Group.

At Shimada Group, I worked in sales in the development department for one year and then had the opportunity to work on a project in Hawaii for 3 months. After that, I started with a new shared house business as a project leader and worked in the property management department for four years. I now have 2 children and have been working as a manager in the serviced apartment division of H&R Roppongi since I came back from my first maternity leave.

Recently, I realized that even though I enjoy my work life very much, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with being a manager. When I was struggling with work/life balance after coming back from my second maternity leave, a colleague encouraged me to join the FEW monthly meetings.

Based on my first impressions of FEW, I thought everyone looked so cool that I couldn’t imagine joining the community. I felt like it was beyond my reach. Regardless of my nervousness, I went to the monthly meeting. I’m so glad I did! FEW members were much more friendly and inspiring than I had expected.

Meeting and talking to members who run their own business or who are empowering leaders gave me the confidence to seek my own career even while raising children. Now I feel being an empowered woman is not just what I wish to be, it is what I am certain I can become. All I needed was a little encouragement from others and FEW gave exactly the support I was looking for.

I look forward to more involvement with FEW, staying connected more deeply with inspiring members, and finding myself more motivated.

Learn more about H&R Roppongi (our newest FEW Strategic Partner) here and follow them on Facebook here.