10/31/2025
🌍✨ Yesterday at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit, I had the incredible opportunity to hear from John Hess, former Chairman & CEO of Hess Corporation (on the left), who spoke about doing business across cultures and around the world.
One of his remarks really stuck with me: “Learn the language of the people you’re doing business with.”
That resonated deeply — and it reflects exactly what drives our company. Our work is inspired by the Japanese concept of monozukuri (ものづくり) — the spirit of craftsmanship, pride, and dedication to continuous improvement in making things.
Next week, my business partner Barry and I are heading to Japan 🇯🇵 for research, and to prepare, I took a conversational Japanese class.
After his presentation, I caught Mr. Hess by the elevator, introduced myself and our company, and told him how impactful his insight was — especially as we prepare for Japan. He smiled, asked me “お元気ですか？” (How are you?) — and I answered him back!
Only at the summit do you get the chance to practice Japanese with the head of such a storied company.
🚀 Key take-aways:
• Languages open doors.
• Culture and craftsmanship matter.
• Take initiative before opportunities arrive.
• Great connections can happen anywhere (even by the elevator).
Feeling inspired by the global spirit of monozukuri and grateful for experiences that bridge business, language, and culture.
