I’m Kenzo Kishita a retired cook who worked for big, renowned restaurants across the US like Eleven Madison Park, Siam Express, and Izumi Japanese Steakhouse.
I’m 66 years old and live in HILLSBORO, OREGON.
The kitchen is probably my favorite place to be!
I’m aHāfu with a Japanese father and an American mom.
For many years I have been passionate about Japanese knives and Japanese cuisine. This is why after retirement I created Blades Power, a blog and a website with a focus on these topics.
Why did you decide to create your own business?
I have always wanted to start my own business! I have always been entrepreneurial-minded. I have always had many ideas for business, but never found the time or the right opportunity. When I had the opportunity to create this blog, I knew that it was the right time to create my own business.
I thought it would be a great idea to turn my passion and experience into a profitable business. I also looked for online resources on kitchen-knives and Japanese cooking, but they lack a lot of firsthand experience angle.
What keeps you motivated?
I’m very driven by results and am motivated to meet my goals. I like it when I’m given a clear timeframe to accomplish something and can find effective strategies that work for me. This gives me a reason to wake up for.
Who has been a role model to you and why?
I have been inspired by many people throughout my life, but perhaps the two most influential people are my grandmother and Julia Child.
The reason why I love cooking so much is because of my grandmother. She was an amazing cook who taught me everything she knew – from cooking to cleanup. She always had the kitchen full of the smells of cooking and baking, and she was always willing to share her recipes with me. I learned so much from her, including how to be patient while cooking. My grandmother would take one dish at a time to make sure each dish was done perfectly before moving on to the next step in cooking it. She also taught me about the flavors that different ingredients bring together when cooked together, which gave me a love for experimenting in the kitchen!
Julia Child is a chef and author in the United States who has been a role model to me because of her passion for cooking and her focus on the joys of food.
I am inspired by Julia Child because she wants people to enjoy their food so they will continue cooking at home instead of eating pre-made meals that are unhealthy. She helps people become more confident in the kitchen with her cooking tips.
How do you maintain a solid work-life balance?
In a digital world, many people can work from home and maintain a healthy and enjoyable work-life balance. This is why many entrepreneurs like myself, who have retired from their careers, have chosen to work remotely as part of their new lifestyle.
What traits do you possess that make a successful leader?
Throughout my culinary career, I have had the opportunity to learn how to lead in different situations. I have learned that it is important to be confident in your decisions and listen to what your subordinates are saying.
I learned that it is important not only what you are doing, but how you are doing it. If you are not confident in yourself or your actions, then people will not want to follow you. It is important for me as a leader to be able to make my team feel engaged with the tasks at hand and happy with what they are doing.
What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I’ve had to face is retirement. It was a hard decision but at the same time, it was necessary because I’m getting old and my body is not what it used to be.
I have also faced a career shift, I felt like it’s the end of the world at first but now I’m so passionate about what I do! It’s been really fun adapting my new skillset into my life which is why this obstacle wasn’t as hard as the first one.
The last obstacle that I’ve faced was not knowing how to use technology, this made me feel really discouraged and frustrated, but I have to accept our new reality of working with machines.
What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?
This advice is from the great Motivational Speaker and Author, Jim Rohn: “There’s a way of doing better than you’re doing. There always is. But there’s not a way of not trying.”
Outside of work, what defines you as a person?
The things that make up who I am as a person are my family, my hobbies, and my passions.
I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends., and I enjoy reading books and watching movies. I’m passionate about arts and culture, the environment, education, world politics, Japanese blacksmiths history, and social justice.
Where do you see you and your company in 5 years?
I want Blade Power to be a place where people can go to learn about Japanese knives and all the information they need to make a buying decision.
In five years, I hope that our blog will be known as the most trusted source for information on Japanese knives.
Also, it would be awesome for this blog to be a high-earning business .with a 6-figures goal in mind.
How can you be reached?
The best way to connect with me is through LinkedIn. I am also quite active on Facebook.
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