Rising Stars: Meet Rain Hashimoto of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rain Hashimoto

Hi Rain, 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?
My journey in the fashion and creative industry started all the way from the mere age of 13. This is when I began discovering my personal identity through clothing and art during a time where I felt self-conscious in my own skin. Granted my outfits were very awkward and quirky, but it was more about the feeling I got when I was able to express myself in the way I wanted.

Fast forward to high school I began to help style my friends and give them fashion advice. I became obsessed with reading fashion magazines, articles, and anything I could get my hands on related to the industry. Growing up in Hawaii, there weren’t a lot of opportunities to learn about fashion or work in the industry, most people I knew weren’t interested in that field. Because of this, I was determined to pursue my dreams in the mainland as soon as I finished high school.

I applied to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising during my junior year of high school and the rest is history. At the mere age of 17 I packed my bags and moved to the very busy city of Los Angeles. Coming from a slow paced island where everyone is like family, I had a very difficult time adjusting to the bustling, competitive, and “every man for himself” attitude the city seemed to carry.

I admit I struggled immensely the first year, I couldn’t keep up with my academics, living independently away from my family proved more difficult than I thought, and I still felt like a little kid. It was ultimately this struggle that changed me as a person, as corny as that sounds.

This struggle gave me the grit and determination to realize that no one was going to come help me if I wasn’t going to help myself. I ended up finishing my Associates degree in Fashion Merchandising & Marketing as a Magna Cum Laude and had completed 5 internships by the end of those two years with the startup of my own blog.. I currently work as a Fashion Marketing Assistant and will be starting my Bachelors Degree in the spring of next year. My goal is to study with a dual degree in Fashion Business (B.A) and International Relations (B.S) with a Minor in Anthropology.

I hope to continue my career in Fashion and Beauty Marketing as well as become a Development Coordinator for the United Nations. I’m enjoying the stresses and ups and downs that come with this journey in my academics and career and look forward to everything I’ll accomplish in the near future.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like I mentioned earlier I had quite a difficult time adjusting to the move to Los Angeles. Not to say the contrary now, but I was extremely young when I moved. It was only 3 months after I graduated high school and I knew really nothing of the real world, I was raised in a bubble. This combined with the insecurities and fears that come with being in your late teens/early twenties made me hit rock bottom.

I felt that everyone was too far ahead and I felt too discouraged to try to even catch up to them. Going through this process allowed me to humble myself more and instead be motivated by others peoples successes, rather than feel jealousy.

These failures and mistakes allowed me to rise and grow to become a more hardworking, determined, and successful person.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Right now I currently work as a Fashion Marketing Assistant for a Jewelry brand. I also started my own blog which covers Fashion & Beauty Marketing topics. I specialize in the business field of the creative industry.

I would say I’m most proud of how much I’ve managed to get done for the age I’m at now. I recently turned 20 and can say that I’ve completed a lot more than I expected to ever do. Juggling my academics, two internships, a job, and everything in between was something I thought I couldn’t do. Finishing my two year degree with these experiences under my belt allow me to feel a sense of pride in my hard work.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m a huge reader but I feel like listening to podcasts really helps motivate me. I often listen to the podcast called, “The Psychology of Your 20s” which covers everything from love, careers, friendships, and self reflection.

This podcast allows me to feel like I’m not alone in some of my doubts and fears and helps me to understand myself better. It helps motivate me to work on myself even when it’s difficult or I feel lazy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rainhashimotomarketingportfolio.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainaimii/
• Other: https://rainhashimoto04.wixsite.com/raindigitalspotlight

Image Credits:
Rain Hashimoto