Today we’d like to introduce you to Izumi Yasukawa.
Hi Izumi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Okayama, Japan and raised in Tokyo. I came to US a year after 911 as a student. I and my husband, our two kids just moved to San Diego after living in LA for a long time.
I have been thinking that I should start doing something with What I love which is home cooking since I stay in the kitchen all day preparing lunch boxes, snacks, dinner 24/7 but I felt there will be NO time as I was super busy and tired with my little ones at the time.
As my kids are now 15 years and 13 years old, I think it is a time to start doing my own business.
Although I never work as a professional chef, I have done some bento( Japanese style lunch box) and baking class held at my house for my friends as they asked.
By living in US for a long time has made me feel like how much my Japan is beautiful and respectful traditional culture they have so I would love to bring some pieces of Japan taste in my creations which is the bento box.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The most obstacle I have struggled is work and life balance with my family.
I used to think “House wife” as moms is not actual work which we do as a matter of course without any help from others since I was growing up in those culture and environments in Japan. (Nowadays, it’s been huge changing as I see)
I have been taught that growing the kids are all mom’s job then all dads go out for work so I was hesitating to start at beginning because I felt I would sacrifice something in my life with the kids even if it’s what I love to do…
All those my mind have been changed by living in another beautiful my home town USA and also my mom who has been full-time worker since I was little and dear my friends.
My mom and friends have told me to start my own business which may make your life harder sometimes but it would also help me once I’m in the hardest time as well.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do specialize in bento box which is Japanese traditional lunch box. I combined my original roll cakes with a bento box made of sustainable material from Japan.
Most of the ingredients I use are an organic, high quality and all are made by my original recipes.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I just started my business so I’m looking forward to seeing more but so far, I strongly feel that there are so many talented people out there from different fields and I have been impressed by them all the time and I respect them which is the most important I believe.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@la-capribentobox.com
- Instagram: la_capri_bentobox
