We were lucky to catch up with Rika Iino recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rika, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Arriving in the American South in the 90s with barely a word of English, I quickly learned the sting of exclusion. As a young teen, I endured bullying, which I finding refuge in drawing and music. My Japanese mother, a piano teacher, introduced me to music at the age of three, and to this day I truly consider it my frist language. At 13, my first American music teacher gave me the chance to play in front of other kids. The bullying stopped, and for the first time, I felt a flicker of hope. Music had empowered me to show up as my whole self and find my voice in a foreign world.

As an adult, I’ve realized that hope alone isn’t enough to create true belonging. Belonging is a journey—a series of intentional acts rooted in love that shape our identity and future. Maya Angelou’s words resonate deeply with me: “You are only free when you realize you belong no place—you belong every place—no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.” For me, the greatest reward has been the chance to build my company SOZO and its community.

SOZO, an international contemporary arts agency and incubator, intersects social impact, innovation, and culture. We go beyond artistic productions, cultivating equitable creative ecosystems that empower artists—especially BIPOC and women—through entrepreneurship and sustainability coaching. SOZO, meaning “to imagine and create” in Japanese and “to heal” in Greek, embodies our mission: to envision a different world and actively create it. This work is personal, reflecting my journey of using creativity to find belonging, heal, and build spaces where everyone can thrive.

Rika, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

SOZO is a BIPOC women-led contemporary arts agency and incubator working at the intersection of social impact, innovation, and culture. Based in the SF/Bay Area and New York City, we operate globally on projects ranging from live performances and immersive art to artist coaching and systemic allyship training. Unlike traditional arts agencies that focus on managing artists within established frameworks, SOZO champions contemporary, diverse creators often labeled as “risky” or “hard to sell.” We believe in the power of creativity to challenge and transform exclusionary systems.

As independent creative producers—meaning we develop artistic works outside the traditional institutional or commercial contexts—we aim to reframe advocacy and collaboration in an industry that often prioritizes transactions over equity- and artist-centered processes. With decades of experience across hundreds of projects, we partner with artists, organizations, and curators in co-creative journeys that balance strategic planning with creative vision, bringing authentic and impactful experiences to life. For us, creative producing is not just a service—it’s an art form combining entrepreneurial acumen with social impact goals and deep cultural insight.

Rooted in values of co-entrepreneurship, compassion, integrity, and trust, SOZO thrives on building transformative experiences and fostering community. We aim to disrupt extractive practices and traditional top-down models, centering diverse voices. Our commitment is to reshape the narrative of what’s possible when creativity and purpose align.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I hear “pivot,” I picture a straight line suddenly changing direction, sharp and angular. But my life—and SOZO’s journey—feels more fluid and dynamic, like navigating a constantly shape-shifting sphere. As a working mother and entrepreneur, each day brings twists and turns, demanding flexibility and the readiness to act on ideas, challenges, or opportunities at a moment’s notice. The real challenge isn’t just navigating these shifts; it’s building the mental fitness to manage priorities, handle setbacks, and problem-solve daily without burning out.

One of the most transformative experiences I’ve had is working with coaches who helped me sharpen my mental fitness for a purpose-centered, fulfilling life. Self-actualization isn’t something you learn in school, at home, or from a book—it’s a practice, like developing healthy eating habits, requiring time, consistency, and deep self-awareness. It’s an ongoing journey toward becoming a more effective, embodied human, mother, wife, and leader. This process takes months, years, or even decades to internalize, and I’m committed for life.

Any advice for managing a team?

My team and I recently spent time on a ranch in New Mexico, where we learned from Artemis, the 23-year-old matriarch of the herd. She leads with patience and presence, and her strength lies in giving and taking cues through deep awareness, not in taking care of each of the other horses in the herd. This resonated with me as I reflect on my own leadership journey, fostering an environment where each team member can cultivate their instincts, skills, and growth through collaboration and open communication.

I embrace a heart-centered leadership style, rooted in care and mutual respect. Working with artists is about nurturing human expression, and I honor that by treating everyone with compassion, curiosity, and a learning mindset. For me, maintaining high morale means aligning our efforts with shared values and purpose—and ensuring dignified wages and work/life balance to support that alignment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sozomedia.com
• Instagram: @sozoartists
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikaiino/

Image Credits

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