As I have thought about this first newsletter, I have wondered, “where should I begin?” I realized, at some point, that I had already begun and that I just needed to keep going. We all just need to keep moving forward. Solutions, improvements, and growth only lie ahead. 

First, I want to thank my wife, Beth, who has always been so supportive, especially during this new venture. Without her, none of this would be possible. Then, there are my two boys, Ben and Gabe, who have cheered me on. In all of my moments of doubt, they have just said, “Come on, Dad, you’ve got this.”

From there, in the order of Shokuya’s creation, I want to thank Randy Hunt, Eric Medsker, Jarin Moriguchi, a dear, old friend, and Satomi Arai. I also want to thank Shokuya’s suppliers, my friends and family, and my team, suppliers, and colleagues from Joto Sake.

Before continuing, here’s the call to action! Please visit Shokuya.com, follow us on Instagram, and share this newsletter with others. We will publish it monthly or quarterly.

So, where should I begin? There are two things that I have thought about during this process. I learned the first one in starting and running Joto Sake. I have reflected on the second one while starting Shokuya.

First, I think that, ultimately, businesses are built on belief. A founder has to believe in their idea and themselves. They have to find other co-founders and/or investors who believe. Then companies are grown by the people who believe in them, the employees, suppliers, customers, consumers, distributors, journalists, and so many other partners. During the hardest times, belief is what enables us to overcome. One’s belief and ability to keep believing are tested. I find that it is my belief that drives my problem-solving. Driving the ability to figure something out is the belief that you can.

The other thing I have thought about is if there is a “right way” to do something, and, if even thinking in these terms is good. I have been making lots of matcha bowls and lattes, cooking rice, asking even more Japanese friends and sushi chefs how much to dip sushi or sashimi in soy sauce, and how. I would prefer to say that I have learned that there is no right way. I could be thrilled to say that I know the right way to do something and here it is. But then, the other day, after living in the same apartment for over twenty years, using the same oven, and possibly even the same pans, I finally nailed my cheeseburger! I made it the “right way.” This was, of course, the way I wanted it to be but couldn’t achieve before.

I have come to think that there are better ways to do somethings. There are smart ways to do things. There are also ways that are wrong, that will ruin or waste something valuable. There is so much joy in trying, tasting, learning, and making something better. Often, the best way is a way someone else tells you, and then you go, “huh, that’s incredible, that’s so much better, that really worked well, and why didn’t I think of that?” I still don’t want to be a believer in the “right way” to do something, but I also want us to guide you and share our learnings. The best way will be your way. Please then share it with us, too!

Thank you, again, for supporting me, Eric Medsker, and Jarin Moriguchi, my co-founders. Thank you for believing in us.

Here we go!
Henry, Jarin, and Eric