Rising StarOEN Member Spotlight – Takako Shinjo, Genki-Su LLC
Produce Japanese Drinking Vinegar, made locally, healthy beverage that energize, balance and cleanse your body in a natural way. www.genkisu.com
Q: What does your business do?
A: Produce a line of Japanese Drinking Vinegar based on my family recipe.
Q: What problem does it solve?
A: alternative to soda, sugary sports/energy drinks or alcohol mix drink (mocktail), help to prevent addiction to sugary unhealthy drinks or recovering alcoholic substitute drinks.
Q: How did you come up with this business idea?
A: Drinking vinegar has been in my culture, in Japan and also my family for years and I simply wanted to share this natural healthy drinks with people. I have experimented with several different recipes based on my mother’s recipe which I perfected and made current products.
Q: What are your biggest challenges?
A: Challenges are productions and distributions. Currently, I self produce, bottle, label and self distribute and come to the point it became overwhelming physically and mentally, and start seeking some helps for manpower and financially.
Q: What are your goals for the company?
A: Create great products and introduce new healthy habits to US market and international market.
Q: Do you have any news to share about your company’s evolution, new products or partnerships?
A: Yes, we are planning to create a new line of product, Japanese Tart Tonic. Our products are concentrate and I suggest to mix with water or sparkling water (1:8 ratio) to enjoy Genki-su now. And this new products will be pre-mix tonic drink and people buy a bottle and drink it right away, bring it with them on the go.
Q: Are you looking for funding?
A: Currently we are running a project on kickstarter to support a new line of our product and looking for funding to expand our current line (new flavors, seasonal and limited flavors, vegan line).http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/genkisu/genki-su-japanese-tart-tonic 
Q: Have you been an entrepreneur before?
A: Not really. My father was a college professor and mother was a housewife, when I started talking about starting own business, my father thought I would be homeless (laugh). But people around me supported my idea and encourage me to pursue my passion, health and wellness and creating a good habit leads to our happiness. Portland has also good communities that support local business and open to try new things, I am so blessed to surrounded by great environment.
Q: What brought you to OEN?
A: I knew about OEN before but felt like the organization is for business elite and didn’t feel I was qualified to join. Then a friend of mine recommended a contact and made an introduction. I am glad I did!
Q: What has been the biggest surprise in your entrepreneurial experience to date?
A: I thought that in order to become an entrepreneur, I had to go to MBA and know a lot about business. But most important thing is you have a passion for your business and believe in a product, your creation. People and community can tell if you are real or not, this part you can’t fake it no matter how good you are in business.
Q: What has been the best entrepreneurial advice you’ve received?
A: You have to believe in your self. Otherwise who would believe in you? And don’t be afraid failure, if you don’t fail, you never succeed.
