Community Highlights: Meet Scott Kohno of EJL Entertainment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Kohno.

Hi Scott, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since my days at UCLA, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit—launching and managing ventures ranging from electronics sales and restaurants to design services and manufacturing.

Somehow all of this has led to our current business, Yama Sushi Marketplace, and nearly everything I’ve learned over the past few decades is now being applied to this business, shaping it every step of the way.

Since taking over Yama Sushi Marketplace four years ago, we’ve expanded our operations and opened new locations, including most recently in Koreatown, as well as grown our team from just 5 employees to more than 130 today.

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?
I remember that after graduating college, most family members wished me much success—but one of my uncles offered me a different sentiment. He wished me some success and many failures. I was taken aback by that statement, and now several decades later, I know what he means by that as I would not be where I am today without failure.

I have faced countless challenges while building businesses, but the biggest challenge was not being able to make payroll on a Friday. Having to confront employees—either to let them go or ask for their patience in delaying their pay—is one of the most difficult and humbling experiences an entrepreneur can face.

We’ve been impressed with EJL Entertainment, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The name of our organization is EJL Entertainment. EJL is actually short for the Spanish word “¡Híjole!”, which we used to shout during the heat of a dinner rush in our previous business. It serves as a reminder that we’re not just in the retail or restaurant business—we’re in the entertainment business, where our mission is to deliver the “WOW” to our customers every day.

Our main brand is called Yama Sushi Marketplace, a unique business originally founded 41 years ago by Kenzo Yamada. Before launching Yama, Yamada-san worked as a fish broker, and his exceptional vendor relationships ensured he could always source the finest cuts and freshest fish.

Today, Yama is one of the largest fish buyers in Los Angeles. Our stores are uniquely positioned to offer freshly cut sashimi, sushi prepared hourly, one of the largest sake collections in the area, and a curated selection of specialty merchandise from Japan.

But Yama is much more than just a store. Through special events like our monthly sushi-making classes, school partnerships, and deep connections with our customers, we’ve created a space that goes beyond retail. I often remind our team that we’re not simply a store—we’re the home team.

One of our favorite customer stories is when a father approached us holding his 4-year-old daughter’s hand, telling us how much he loves Yama—and how his daughter loves spending time there. For them, Yama has become their Friday night date night.

How do you define success?
For our company, success is defined by the growth of our team. When I see our staff getting out of their comfort zone, trying new ideas, and maturing as individuals, I feel that we are getting more and more successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yamasushimarketplace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamasushimarketplace
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yamasushimarketplace
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yamasushimarketplace
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yama-sushi-marketplace-los-angeles-2
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yamasushimarketplace