Mika Shino: Cultural Connection, Spiritual Joy & Persistent Innovation
Crafting tradition into modernity isn't always a walk in the park, but when perseverance meets a vision that yearns to share cultural heritage, can the result be anything short of remarkable? What does this blending of legacy and innovation look like in practice, and what hurdles must you overcome?
Successful entrepreneur Mika Shino dives deep into the makings of Issei, a brand that has successfully infused Japanese tradition into the competitive candy marketplace with its innovative mochi gummies. From winning awards amidst giants to standing tall in the face of production nightmares, she shares her story full of challenges, victories, and invaluable lessons. Her fusion of culinary passion, cultural pride, and a mother's intuition has led to a line of products that speaks to a growing demand for diversity and inclusivity in food.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Mika Shino, Founder and CEO of Issei, about cultural innovation in the candy industry. Mika shares her journey of creating better-for-you snacks that resonate with traditional roots and modern demands, the challenges and insights of bringing innovation into a competitive candy market, how diversity and inclusion in the CPG space benefit consumers and cultures alike, and the triumphs and lessons from Issei's early production challenges.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
[02:35] Mika Shino shares her journey of creating better-for-you snacks, blending tradition and modernity
[04:44] Challenges of bringing mochi gummies into a competitive candy market
[06:32] How diversity and inclusion in the CPG space benefit consumers and cultures alike
[07:35] Mika's perspective on the importance of food as a vehicle for cultural pride and heritage
[11:44] How Issei won prestigious awards and got recognized among thousands of brands
[15:23] What fuels Mika's pivot from diplomacy to CPG and food innovation?
[18:03] The triumphs and lessons from Issei's early production challenges
[25:04] The importance of hope amid entrepreneurial struggles
[32:44] Issei's exciting new product launches and their significance
About Mika Shino:
Mika Shino is the Founder and CEO of Issei, a brand that has reimagined the gummy candy world with a heartfelt mission. Of Japanese heritage, Mika ventured into entrepreneurship to offer her children healthier candy options inspired by her native mochi. Her innovative product, the world’s first shelf-stable mochi gummies, has earned acclaim as the most innovative among thousands. With a profound background at the UN, Mika embeds a message of cultural inclusivity and the celebration of immigrant voices in her confections. Her journey from kitchen experiments to retail success embodies passion, heritage, and the power of a mother's love.
Resources Mentioned in this episode
Quotable Moments:
"Innovation comes when you're not necessarily really trying to innovate. You're just doing it differently."
"It's really about making the world a better place, and by doing your part to really try to foster that dialog with different ingredients, different flavors, different heritage."
"Every time I say the word Issei, it's a foreign word. It gives me the opportunity to talk about what that word means."
"Holding it together just means really just plugging forward and not being discouraged and trying to make the most beautiful product that I'm proud of."
"And food is the ultimate vehicle for intercultural dialog, right? You break bread with somebody, and you're automatically in a different kind of relationship."
Action Steps:
Celebrate your heritage through your work: Embrace your cultural background and integrate it into your business or personal projects to foster inclusiveness and pride.
Defend your vision passionately: Stand firm in the face of skepticism and protect the integrity of your ideas.
Stay curious and open to innovation: Always be on the lookout for how you can improve or adapt your products and services.
Build resilience against discouragement: Understand that setbacks are a part of the entrepreneurial journey and cultivate the determination to push forward despite them.
Create products that you and your family believe in: Ensure that the products or services you offer meet a quality standard that you would be proud to share with your loved ones as a measure of integrity.