Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megumi Suenaga. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Megumi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

Moving from my home country of Japan to the U.S. was the biggest investment I had ever made in myself. I had never lived abroad before, with no family or connections in the U.S., and I was starting entirely from the ground up.

I had always harbored a vague curiosity about foreign countries, but I still remember the exact moment I decided to move overseas. I was 29, working for the Dentsu Group in Tokyo. One day, while riding the subway to work, it struck me: “If I continue to work here, I will be riding the same subway almost every day for the next 30 years, and living the same routine every day.” In that moment, I was absolutely horrified. I think I was always a bit of a dreamy child. Growing up surrounded by Shonen Jump manga, anime, and playing Final Fantasy, I believed that life is an adventure and that it would be dramatic. Yet here I was, staring down 30 years of predictability before I had even started my adventure. That realization pushed me to move abroad —I didn’t want my life to pass like that.

Japan is a country with a conservative mindset, with strong societal expectations that certain milestones should be achieved by a specific age. While this invisible social pressure is gradually shifting, it definitely still persists. At 29, I was ‘supposed’ to be married, own a house, and have children. Starting my life from scratch abroad at that age was a major departure from the traditional path, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious about it.

But after moving to the U.S., I realized I could live much more freely. I saw people going back to college as adults, parents leaving their young children with others to enjoy a date night, and people falling in love well into their 70s. It became clear that, at any age, you can pursue whatever you want to do, and you’re not obligated to follow any path that doesn’t resonate with you—as long as it doesn’t harm others. As I observed this, I started to let go of the burden of traditional expectations, such as marriage, having children, or being dedicated to the same company for a lifetime. Looking back, I think I only felt pressured to follow those norms, but I was never really interested in it much. My parents, who live in rural Japan, hold traditional values that no longer align with mine. It’s clear now that not everyone fits neatly into the culture they were born into.

I’m still in the midst of a grand experiment, seeing what happens to a solo female expat who moved to the U.S. from Japan. But so far, I truly believe this investment in myself was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Megumi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I now run my own company, COOQIE INC, a digital marketing agency that offers comprehensive online marketing services. We handle everything from website development and SEO to social media management, online advertising, email marketing, and more. While most of our clients are Japanese companies operating in the U.S., we also provide marketing strategy consultations to businesses planning to expand from Japan into the U.S.

Marketing strategies differ based on whether a company operates in B2B or B2C, as well as the product, business model, and industry. For B2B companies, the focus is typically on content marketing and SEO to generate leads. In contrast, B2C businesses often start by building brand awareness and may partner with major U.S. retailers to expand distribution channels.

Many Japanese companies possess remarkable technology and innovation, and we aim to help promote that more effectively in the U.S. While global Japanese brands like Toyota, Canon, and Nintendo are well-known, there are numerous smaller companies with unique, world-leading technologies that remain largely under the radar.

However, many of these companies struggle to present themselves effectively abroad. Japanese businesses often take a humble approach, which is admirable, but not always competitive in the U.S. market. My mission is to support these companies strengthen their brand presence in the U.S. by leveraging digital technology.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Leaving a corporate job and starting my own business was a major turning point in my career, but when I first left Japan, I never imagined this path for myself. My parents were bankers, and we came from a fairly conservative family, so I always thought that working for a company like my parents did was my only real path, which is quite common in Japan. I used to believe that entrepreneurship was reserved for a few geniuses or extraordinary people, and I didn’t see myself as part of that world.

When I first moved to the U.S., I began working for a small publishing company in Los Angeles. It was there that I met many Japanese entrepreneurs and business owners—people who weren’t super geniuses or particularly exceptional, but ‘ordinary’ individuals. That’s when I realized, ‘Maybe you don’t have to be someone very special to start your own business.’ In that sense, I’m grateful that my first home in the U.S. was LA. Had I settled in New York, where many Japanese expats work for established companies, I might not have had the same realization.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I know this might not be the most exciting answer, but I believe it’s my extensive marketing experience in the U.S. that makes the difference. The world of digital marketing evolves rapidly—what worked a few months ago might not be effective today. Platforms like Google are constantly updating, and social media trends shift just as quickly, so marketers must stay on top of these changes. I make it a point to continuously learn and apply that knowledge in real-world projects.
It’s essential to have confidence in your skills and experience, but it’s just as important to remain humble and always doubt what you think you know.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cooqieinc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megumi_in_america/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coopieinc/