Fermenting Happiness - Manda Fermentation

Team Subkit -

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Yasuhito Nakajima, president, and COO of Manda Fermentation USA, Inc., located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

MANDA FERMENTATION CO. LTD was originally a sake distillery over 380 years ago. After generations, the Matsuura family shifted their focus to supplements- using their knowledge of fermentation from their sake background. After 23 years of intensive research, Dr. Matsuura perfected the formula that combines 53 ingredients that have been fermented for over three years and three months. Manda started to sell its signature Wellness Superfood in 1984 and Organic fertilizer from 1991 in Japan.

MANDA FERMENTATION USA, INC was established in 2019 with the aim of expanding the market in the United States. The core of sales and marketing activities are LA and NY for health foods, Fresno, CA for agricultural products. Collaborative research with universities is on agricultural products at California State University Fresno, McGill University, and Hawaii University, and UC San Diego is targeting healthy foods.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Japanese born and raised in Japan, MBA at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. Having a successful experience in developing global business at a health care fund under the umbrella of the Japanese government and a major Japanese pharmaceutical company, I am delighted to expand good Japanese products to overseas markets. I believe Manda's unique fermented products enrich people's lives. Joined Manda for the establishment and development of Manda USA.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Immediately after starting a business, our business was affected heavily by the COVID pandemic, so I haven't been able to say anything about the accomplishment yet. However, sales are increasing every month, and I feel that the number of consumers and farmers who love our products is increasing.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Fund and connections are paramount to promoting a company or product that no one knows in the market, but what if you don't have both? That is our condition. There are limited ways to increase the fund, but the way to make connections is unlimited, depending on your ideas. We are focused on making important connections.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. As I mentioned earlier, increase important connections.
  2. Don't do what you are not good at because you have limited time and resources.
  3. To survive in the market, you need an absolute advantage to overwhelm others.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Unless you work hard and give up, someone will be watching and supporting you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mandausa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandausa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manda_usa/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasuhito-nakajima-404b991b5/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.