Bridging Talks

How did a rock & roll stage designer with no restaurant experience go on to create YO! Sushi?In this episode of Bridging Talks, Majid Hashmi sits down with Simon Woodroffe — entrepreneur, designer, founder of YO! Sushi and YOTEL, and one of the original Dragons on BBC’s Dragons’ Den.Simon shares his journey from leaving school at 16 and working in rock & roll staging to creating one of Britain’s most recognisable restaurant brands.We explore the Japanese conversation that sparked YO! Sushi, why having no restaurant experience became an advantage, and how Simon combined conveyor-belt sushi with ideas from theatre, technology and show business to create something completely different.We also discuss:Why being an outsider can become an advantageThe Japanese origins of YO! SushiRock & roll, theatre and building memorable brandsSimon’s three rules for lifeLeadership, failure and reinventionJapan, Thailand and cross-cultural thinkingYOTEL and the wider YO! visionAI, robotics and the future of technologyWhat Simon learned from Dragons’ DenWhy listening became one of his most valuable habitsA conversation about connecting the dots, doing things differently and continuing to reinvent yourself.CONNECT WITH SIMON WOODROFFEInstagram: @yosimonwoodroffeFacebook: Simon WoodroffeYouTube: @yosimonwoodroffeWebsite: yo.co.uk/simon-woodroffeYO! MAN by Simon WoodroffeBuy the bookABOUT BRIDGING TALKSBridging Talks explores entrepreneurship, technology, global business and cross-cultural ideas through conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, investors, creators and professionals around the world.Hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd.Website: bridgingconnect.com/podcastLinkedIn: Bridging TalksInstagram: @bridgingtalkspodcastYouTube: @BridgingTalksGuests & partnerships: [email protected] includes work by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov and penguinmusic. All rights remain with their respective creators/licensors.

🎤 IntroductionIn this episode, we connect with Kei Watanabe, Co-founder of Glasp, a San Francisco-based startup revolutionizing how we capture and share digital knowledge. Kei shares his journey from studying law in Japan to navigating the high-stakes tech ecosystem of Silicon Valley.We dive into the success of their YouTube Summary extension, which has reached millions of users, and the mission behind Glasp: preventing "knowledge isolation." Kei discusses unconventional growth strategies—from cold outreach on Slack to skipping major accelerators—and how the launch of ChatGPT served as a pivotal moment for their AI integration.Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a tech enthusiast, Kei’s insights on staying true to a long-term mission are not to be missed.⸻🎯 In This Episode:00:01:19 - Introduction: Kei Watanabe, Co-founder of Glasp00:01:42 - What is Glasp? Social Web Highlighting & YouTube Summary00:03:02 - Career Journey: From Law in Japan to Business in Seattle00:05:09 - The Genesis: How a Founder Book Club Led to Glasp00:06:04 - The Vision: Preventing Knowledge Isolation00:08:07 - Applying Product Management Experience to Startups00:09:53 - Community Building: Slack, LinkedIn & Twitter Outreach00:12:34 - Growth Hacks: Automation to Reach 5,000 Early Users00:15:55 - Strategy: Why Glasp Declined Major Accelerators00:20:19 - Scaling via SEO: Leveraging Medium and Backlinks00:30:22 - The ChatGPT Pivot: Launching an AI Extension in 24 Hours00:33:50 - Fundraising: Surviving the "Valley of Death" in the US00:37:48 - Mission vs. Hype: Why Glasp Refused to Pivot Only to AI Summaries00:54:31 - Founder Mindset: Avoiding Short-Term Competition00:56:35 - Personal Growth: Why Habit beats Motivation01:02:08 - Advice for Founders: Staying Loyal to Your Vision01:04:06 - Final Thoughts & Connecting with Kei⸻🌐 Guest Info:Kei Watanabe – Co-founder at GlaspYouTube Summary → https://glasp.co/youtube-summaryTwitter/X → https://x.com/KeiWatanabe17Glasp Profile → https://glasp.co/kei⸻📌 About Bridging Talks:Bridging Talks is a global business and technology podcast hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd. We explore entrepreneurship, AI, and cross-cultural communication between the UK, Japan, and beyond.🔗 More Episodes: https://bridgingconnect.com/podcast💼 LinkedIn: Bridging Connect🎧 Spotify: Bridging Talks🍎 Apple: Bridging Talks📺 YouTube: @BridgingTalks📩 Guest/Partner Inquiries: [email protected]⸻🎵 Music Disclaimer:Music by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov, and penguinmusic. All rights belong to artists.#BridgingTalks #KeiWatanabe #Glasp #SiliconValley #AI #Startups #YouTubeSummary #Entrepreneurship #JapanToUS #FoundersJourney

Bridging Talks: Keisuke Goto on Ramune, Empowering Foreign Founders, and Bridging Japan's Startup Ecosystems🎤 Introduction In this episode, we connect with Keisuke Goto, Founder and CEO of Ramune Inc., a platform and community dedicated to empowering foreign entrepreneurs in Japan. Keisuke shares his journey from a Tokyo-based software project manager who moved to California for five years, to starting Ramune remotely to provide vital back-office support and digital insurance to the Japanese market.🎯 In This Episode: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Keisuke Goto, Founder & CEO of Ramune Inc. 00:01:49 - Career Journey: From Tokyo Software Manager to California & Launching Ramune 00:05:12 - Early Mistakes: Why Meeting Customers **in Person** is Crucial for an Online Business 00:07:31 - Shifting Focus: Building a Global Community for **Foreign Entrepreneurs in Japan** 00:10:18 - Startup Vibes: Comparing **Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Kumamoto's Ecosystems** 00:12:04 - New Project: Launching a **Digital Nomad Hub in Kumamoto** 00:14:28 - The **Ramune Platform**: Back-Office Services, Mentoring, and Co-Building with Experts 00:17:48 - International Market Comparison: Why Ramune's Service is Needed in Japan (Not the US) 00:21:00** - Hobbies & Personal Growth: From Mountain Climbing to Learning Acting 00:25:00 - Entrepreneur Motivation: The Importance of **Doing What You Love** 00:28:07 - Advice for New Founders: The Crucial Need for a **Clear Vision** 00:29:41 - The **Ramune Vision**: Broadening Japanese Society Through Global Entrepreneurship 00:33:06 - Final Thoughts & The Meaning Behind the Name "**Ramune**" (Lemonade Stand)🌐 Guest Info: 👤 Keisuke Goto – Founder & CEO at Ramune Inc. 🌐 Website → https://ramune.co.jp/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisuke-goto/📌 About Bridging Talks: Bridging Talks is hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd, a London-based consultancy and tech company empowering global business through digital strategy, localisation, and cross-cultural insight and upcoming AI platform empowering global business. 🔗 More Episodes: https://bridgingconnect.com/podcast 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105206281 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridging-talks/id1829708367 📦 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4cb8304d-d5db-44e6-8744-b6633af5290b/bridging-talks 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BridgingTalks📩 Contact: Want to be a guest or partner with us? → [email protected]🎵 Music / Audio Disclaimer: The music used in this content is by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov, and penguinmusic. All rights belong to their respective artists.

Bridging Talks: The Future of HR and Performance Management in Japan with Dan Ring🎤 Introduction In this episode of Bridging Talks, host Majid Hashmi speaks with Dan Ring, British HR Consultant, Founder of **Elevate**, and creator of **The People Protocol**, a data-driven performance management system helping companies operate with more clarity, accountability, and transparency. Dan shares his journey from studying English Literature to becoming a Global HR Business Partner in the UK, Singapore, and Japan, and ultimately launching his own HR consultancy in Tokyo. 🎯 In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction & welcome 00:34 – Who is Dan Ring? From UK HRBP to founder of Elevate 01:50 – Technical note (cut/edit section, audio still plays) 05:08 – What is **The People Protocol**? Data-driven performance management 07:37 – The core problems Elevate solves: data, time, transparency 09:12 – Dan’s global HR journey: UK → Singapore → Japan 15:01 – The future of work: AI, layoffs & new career paths 16:26 – HR careers: Going from specialist roles to consultancy 19:05 – Why Japan? Opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs 23:46 – Starting Elevate: The leap into HR consulting 30:19 – Lessons learned: Networking, collaboration & going solo 36:41 – Planning culture in Japan vs firefighting in the West 41:27 – How coding & technical literacy help HR consultants 43:22 – Final advice: Think like an entrepreneur & take action🌐 Guest Info: 👤 **Dan Ring** 💼 **Role**: HR Consultant, Founder of Elevate, Creator of The People Protocol 🌍 **Focus**: Performance management, HR transformation, global leadership, Japan HR ecosystem 🔗 **Elevate** → https://www.elevate.help/ 🔗 **LinkedIn** → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpring/📌 About Bridging Talks: Bridging Talks is hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd, a London-based consultancy and tech company empowering global business through digital strategy, localisation, and cross-cultural insight and upcoming AI platform empowering global business. 🔗 More Episodes: https://bridgingconnect.com/podcast 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105206281 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridging-talks/id1829708367 📦 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4cb8304d-d5db-44e6-8744-b6633af5290b/bridging-talks 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BridgingTalks📩 Contact: Want to be a guest or partner with us? → [email protected]🎵 Music / Audio Disclaimer: All rights belong to their respective artists.#Tags: #BridgingTalks #DanRing #ElevateHR #PeopleProtocol #HRConsultingJapan #HRTechJapan #PerformanceManagement #GlobalHR #HRBusinessPartner

🎤 IntroductionIn this episode of Bridging Talks, host Majid Hashmi sits down with Joseph Allen, a front-end developer and freelancer with 8+ years of experience.Joseph shares his journey from studying in Singapore to building a career in front-end development, diving into the AI & machine learning boom, and navigating the ups and downs of running a freelance studio.We also discuss his cross-cultural work with Japan, insights into freelancing globally, productivity hacks, and personal projects that keep creativity alive.🎯 In This Episode:00:00:00 – Introduction & welcome00:01:10 – Early life & education in Singapore00:02:01 – Portfolio & website beginnings00:02:14 – AI & machine learning boom: impact on front-end00:03:43 – First clients & early freelancing00:05:09 – Cross-cultural work & Japan experience00:07:31 – Networking & LinkedIn for developers00:23:56 – Advice for early-career devs & freelancers00:24:34 – React in the stack: practical choices00:35:37 – Freelancing business: pricing, proposals & scope00:41:21 – Tools & workflow: editor, versioning & automations00:59:28 – Portfolio strategy & side projects01:17:56 – Routines & productivity for solo developers01:24:00 – Closing thoughts & how to connect🌐 Guest Info👤 Name: Joseph Allen💻 Role: Front-End Developer & Freelancer📍 Location: UK (working globally, including Japan)🔗 Website (Professional): joseph-allen.github.io🎨 Website (Creative): joe-memphis.netlify.app💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephrossallen📌 Bridging Talks is hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd, a London-based startup bridging the gap between West to East through digital, strategy, and AI.🔗 More episodes:bridgingconnect.com/podcast💼 LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/105206281🎧 Listen on:SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon MusicYouTube📩 Want to be a guest or partner with us?→ [email protected]🎵 Music/Audio Disclaimer:The music used in this content is by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov, and penguinmusic. All rights belong to the respective artists.#BridgingTalks #JosephAllen #FrontendDeveloper #Freelancing #GlobalCareers #JapanLife #CrossCulturalWork #WebDevelopment #RemoteWork #DigitalNomad #TechCareers #Startups #BridgingConnect

🎤 IntroductionIn Episode 3 of Bridging Talks, host Majid Hashmi speaks withSafiyah (Jia) Kilby, CEO & Founder of STREETWYSE Inc. —anAI-powered safety solutions company on a mission to protect women, youth, and vulnerable individuals around the world, starting in South Korea.From the UK to building a startup in South Korea, Safiyah shares her journey of turning personal conviction into a mission-driven tech company. We dive deep into how AI cansupport psychological and physical safety, her experience as a female founder in Seoul, the role of storytelling in entrepreneurship, and how martial arts has shaped her resilience.If you’re interested in tech for social impact, women’s safety, and global entrepreneurship, this episode is for you.🎯 In This Episode:[00:00:05] Welcome and Guest Introduction[00:00:38] Introduction to Street Wise and Its Mission[00:01:34] Safiyah's Personal and Professional Journey[00:02:50] Transition from Film and Documentary to Tech[00:04:18] The Inception of the Street Wise Concept[00:07:08] The Pivot to Street Wise's Current Focus[00:08:57] The Impact of the MeToo Movement in Korea[00:10:48] Using Storytelling to Tackle Difficult Social Issues[00:14:15] The Business Model and App Development[00:18:00] Building a Team and Finding the Right Co-Founder[00:22:20] Cultural Differences in Business and Social Norms[00:26:40] The Role of Mentors and a Strong Support System[00:29:50] Navigating the Startup Scene as a Female Founder[00:32:00] Insights on the Korean Startup Ecosystem[00:35:10] The Importance of Resilience and Self-Care[00:38:00] Challenges with Government Grants and Language Barriers[00:41:20] The Difference Between Starting a Business in the UK vs. Korea[00:44:50] The Importance of Building Community and Networking[00:48:30] Future Plans for Street Wise[00:52:10] The Vision of Bridging Gaps Through Technology[00:55:40] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Korea[00:58:00] Personal Growth and Lessons Learned[01:02:25] Final Thoughts and Conclusion🌐 Guest Info 👤 Name: Safiyah Kilby 🏢 Role: Founder/CEO – STREETWYSE Inc 📍 Location: Seoul, South Korea 🔗 Website: http://www.streetwyse.me/ 💼 LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetwyse-inc/---- 📌 Bridging Talks is hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd, a London-based startup bridging the gap between West and East through digital, strategy, and AI.🔗 More episodes: https://bridgingconnect.com/podcast💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105206281🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LRstF8bZfzIPTbhcTlUGe?si=C3jWgQPgTXCZcM5o_gWy8Q&nd=1&dlsi=126d0061fe6441ca🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridging-talks/id1829708367📦 Amazon Music - Podcasts:https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4cb8304d-d5db-44e6-8744-b6633af5290b/bridging-talks📺 YouTube: /@bridgingtalks 📩 Want to be a guest or partner with us?→ [email protected]/Audio Disclaimer:The music used in this content is by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov, and penguinmusic. All rights belong to the respective artists. #AIForGood #WomenSafety #FemaleFounder #TechForSocialImpact #GlobalEntrepreneurship #SouthKoreaStartups #StartupJourney #BridgingTalks #WomenInTech #SafetyTech #MartialArtsAndBusiness #SocialImpactTech #CrossCulturalBusiness #EmpowerWomen #AIStartup

🎙️ Bridging Talks – Episode 2From UK to Japan: Lessons in Global Hiring & Human ConnectionGuest: Paul Roberts – Tokyo-based recruiter and blogger.In this episode, we dive into Paul’s unique global journey and his perspective on recruitment, business, and human connection between the West and East.🎯 In This Episode:[00:00:05] Welcome and Guest Introduction[00:00:52] Paul Roberts' Personal and Professional Background[00:02:30] The Journey from London to Tokyo and Becoming a Recruiter[00:03:52] The Experience of Being a Foreigner Working in Japan[00:06:05] Transitioning to Tech Recruitment in Tokyo[00:08:44] The Evolving Tech and Recruitment Landscape in Japan[00:11:13] Key Challenges and Opportunities in Japanese Tech Recruitment[00:15:08] The Importance of Soft Skills and Cultural Fit in Hiring[00:17:30] Insights on Japan's Talent Market and Hiring Trends[00:20:20] How COVID-19 Impacted the Japanese Job Market[00:23:08] Discussion on Relocating to Japan for Work[00:26:07] The Value of Work Experience and Specialization[00:28:40] Addressing the Japanese Language Barrier for Foreigners[00:31:05] Advice for Foreigners Seeking Jobs in Japan[00:35:54] Understanding the Hiring Process in Japan[00:39:10] The Role of Recruiters and How to Work with Them[00:43:30] The Importance of Networking and Building Connections[00:46:15] Personal Reflections on Living and Working in Tokyo[00:50:30] Future Predictions for the Japanese Job Market[00:52:19] Discussion on the Startup Scene in Japan[00:55:00] The Influence of AI on the Recruitment Industry[00:59:50] The "Recruitment Grind" and Market Demands[01:03:00] Final Thoughts on the Future of Tech and Recruitment[01:06:17] Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways[01:10:00] Closing Remarks and Thanks📍 Learn more about Paul Roberts: Website: https://paulroberts.jp LinkedIn: /paulrobertstokyo📌 Bridging Talks is hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd, a London-based startup bridging the gap between West to East through digital, strategy, and AI.🔗 More episodes:💼 LinkedIn:🎧 Spotify:🍎 Apple Podcasts:📦 Amazon Music:📺 YouTube:📩 Want to be a guest or partner with us?Email us at: [email protected]🎵 Music/Audio Disclaimer:The music used in this content is by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov, and penguinmusic. All rights belong to the respective artists.#BridgingTalks #PaulRoberts #Recruitment #HiringInJapan #JapanJobs #GlobalCareers #CrossCulturalCommunication #WorkInJapan #JapaneseBusiness #RemoteWork #JapanRecruitment #InternationalBusiness #CareerAdvice #StartupLife #ThoughtLeadership #CulturalDifferences #GlobalHiring #ExpatLife #ForeignersInJapan #BilingualCareers

Welcome to Episode 1 of Bridging Talks — a cross-cultural business podcast by Bridging Connect.In this debut episode, host Majid Hashmi sits down with Eunnara Jo, founder of JOEL Localization & Trading, to explore the human side of localization, what it takes to navigate cultural complexity in business, and how global companies can localize beyond language.🎙️ In this episode:[00:00:03] Welcome and Guest Introduction[00:01:12] Career Path from Interpreter to Entrepreneur[00:02:17] Founding and Mission of JOEL Localization and JOEL Trading[00:04:18] The Synergy Between Localization and Trading[00:06:51] Leveraging an Expert Network for Business[00:09:25] The Impact of Location: From Seoul to Tokyo[00:11:36] The Role of AI in Localization and Entrepreneurship[00:15:39] Overcoming Business Challenges: The Importance of a Supportive Network[00:17:39] Strategies for Building a Strong Business Ecosystem[00:20:25] Future Plans and Vision for the Companies[00:23:40] The Business Landscape in Seoul vs. Tokyo[00:27:08] Insights on Startup Culture and Entrepreneurial Mindset[00:30:30] Discussion on the Role of Co-Founders and Team Dynamics[00:35:10] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Career Changers[00:39:27] The Future of Globalization and Localization[00:43:08] Final Thoughts and Conclusion🌐 Guest Info:Eunnara Jo – Founder, JOEL Localization & TradingWebsite: https://joelocalization.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eunnara-jo/—📌 Bridging Talks is hosted by Majid Hashmi, founder of Bridging Connect Ltd, a London-based startup bridging the gap between West to East through digital, strategy, and AI.🔗 More episodes: https://bridgingconnect.com/podcast💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/bridgingconnect🎧 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3LRstF8bZfzIPTbhcTlUGe🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/bridging-talks/id1829708367📦 Amazon Music - Podcasts:https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4cb8304d-d5db-44e6-8744-b6633af5290b/bridging-talks📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@BridgingTalks📩 Want to be a guest or partner with us?→ [email protected]/Audio Disclaimer: The music used in this content is by Chill House, Oleksandr Stepanov, and penguinmusic. All rights belong to the respective artists.#bridgingtalks #localization #crosscultural #globalbusiness #podcast #startup #japanbusiness #interview #bridgingconnect