We’ve been so busy doing the work, we never stopped to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to tell the story of why — until now. Here’s an in-depth interview with company founder, Andrea Jacques.
When was Kyosei Consulting International started?
Kyosei Consulting International, Inc. was federally incorporated in 2001, but I started doing the kind of work Kyosei has become known for as early as 1990.
It’s been a long ride, then?
Yes (laughs). And there’s been a few bumps and bruises not to mention wrinkles – but my purpose has always been clear. So in a way it’s been effortless.
What was your inspiration for the name ‘Kyosei?’
The inspiration for Kyosei came long before I actually discovered the Japanese term ‘Kyosei.’ Early on, I knew in my heart what I wanted to achieve, there simply was no English word for it. It wasn’t until I went abroad to study sustainable business and economic development in Japan [Editor's note: Andrea Jacques ultimately spend 5 years immersed in Japan] that the idea coalesced into reality for me. Ironically though, while the ‘feel’ of the work I should do became imminently clear to me in Japan, it wasn’t until I got back to Canada that the term ‘Kyosei’ came into my life.
So early on, you already had some sense of what you wanted to achieve?
Yes. My background had been in career development and helping people find work that they love, and also in helping organizations become great places to work. This was way back in the early 90′s. I’d already been doing that kind of work for five years at that point in time (prior to arriving in Japan) and I was intrigued that there might be some connection.
Connection? How so?
I started thinking about sustainable business and economic development and I realized there was a strong correlation between helping people find their rightful niche and helping organizations tread lightly on the planet. Nowadays, this is almost inherently obvious to most young people but it was a hard sell a few years back bordering on ‘aerie fairy.’
And you found this link in Japan? Tell us about that?
Because I was living in Japan, it was inevitable that I would soon learn their word for harmony, or ‘Wa’ as they call. Wa translated means “harmony, peace, balance, sum, total” and it is also the oldest recorded name for Japan used in conjunction with another word Yamato. The concept is huge in Japan and entrenched in their business culture and society.
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