Story & Lesson Highlights with Mindy Kono

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mindy Kono. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Mindy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes — and not just for my skill set, but for the way I work and show up.
I bring discipline, consistency, and care into everything I do, whether I’m modeling, creating content, or consulting across cultures. I take responsibility seriously, respect people’s time and vision, and always aim to leave things better than I found them.

What sets me apart is that I don’t see work as transactional. I listen closely, adapt quickly, and genuinely care about the people and brands I collaborate with. My background in psychology and international business allows me to understand not just what needs to be done, but why—and how to communicate that clearly across cultures. That mindset has naturally led to long-term relationships and repeat collaborations, which I’m deeply grateful for.

If I had one thing to work on, it would be reminding myself not to overgive. I naturally put my whole heart into what I do, sometimes before setting clear boundaries. But I’ve learned that balance doesn’t take away from kindness — it makes it sustainable.

So yes, I would hire me — because I show up with integrity, warmth, and commitment, and I treat every project as if it reflects not just my work, but my values.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a model, lifestyle influencer, and international business consultant based in Los Angeles, working across Japan and the U.S. for over a decade. My brand is built on blending aesthetics with substance — combining fashion, wellness, psychology, and cross-cultural storytelling in a way that feels both intentional and human.

I was born and raised in Yokohama, Japan, in a multicultural household, and grew up speaking multiple languages after being raised by my grandmother. That upbringing shaped not only my global perspective, but also my discipline, resilience, and deep respect for consistency — values that guide everything I do today. Whether I’m modeling, creating content, or consulting, my focus is always on authenticity and long-term impact rather than quick wins.

Professionally, my work spans modeling and digital media, as well as international consulting between Japan and the U.S. I collaborate with brands, restaurants, and creatives, and I also advise businesses and individuals navigating cross-border expansion and cultural transitions. With a background in psychology, I’m especially interested in how people connect — to themselves, to culture, and to the brands they choose to support.

Right now, I’m continuing to expand my work in modeling and lifestyle partnerships while developing projects that bridge cultures, including consulting, coaching, and curated experiences rooted in wellness and cultural understanding. What makes my journey unique is that I don’t separate creativity from strategy — I build a life and career where both can coexist, guided by integrity, curiosity, and care.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The first person who truly saw me was my grandmother. She raised me from birth, and in every way that mattered, she was my mother. She was already in her seventies, living in a country where she didn’t fully understand the language or culture, yet she showed up for me every single day with unwavering love and discipline.

Growing up, she was very strict. Compliments were rare, and as a child, there were moments when that felt lonely or difficult. But with time and distance, I’ve come to understand that this was deeply rooted in cultural values. In traditional Chinese culture, love is often expressed through structure, responsibility, and high expectations — not through praise, but through preparation for life. She was raising me to become someone who could stand on her own, anywhere in the world.

At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how challenging her situation must have been — being an immigrant, unable to rely on others, raising a small child in a foreign country while carrying her own fears and sacrifices quietly. Looking back now, I realize the depth of her strength. Even without many words or overt expressions of affection, her love was constant and unmistakable through her actions.

Before I understood my own worth, she believed in me completely. She walked me to school, enrolled me in swimming from the age of two, prepared homemade lunches throughout my school years, and pushed me to keep going even when things were difficult. When I was bullied or felt out of place, she reminded me not to give up — on school, on effort, or on myself.

She saw potential in me long before I could articulate it. Through her actions, she taught me consistency, perseverance, and responsibility — not through words, but by example. It wasn’t until after she passed that I fully understood how carefully and intentionally I had been raised, and how deeply she prepared me to become someone who could carry herself with dignity and integrity.

Those early experiences — navigating cultural differences, strict expectations, and unspoken love — sparked my curiosity about human behavior and communication, which later led me to study psychology. In many ways, my path has always been rooted in understanding people, just as she understood me before I could understand myself.

Even now, everything I do carries her influence. The way I show up fully, care deeply, and treat every opportunity with respect comes from being seen and guided so completely at such a young age. She gave me a foundation of resilience and self-respect that continues to guide me — long after she’s gone.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me empathy, patience, and depth in a way success never could. Growing up between cultures, languages, and expectations, I learned early what it feels like to be misunderstood or out of place. Those experiences quietly shaped my ability to observe, listen, and sense what others may not say out loud.

Pain also taught me resilience through consistency, not dramatic breakthroughs. There were moments of loneliness, self-doubt, and pressure — from navigating strict cultural expectations to facing limitations in the modeling industry as an Asian woman. Success celebrates outcomes, but suffering teaches endurance, humility, and respect for the unseen work behind every achievement.

Most importantly, suffering taught me how to care without judgment. It showed me that everyone carries invisible battles, and that kindness, when practiced consistently, can be transformative. That understanding now guides how I work, collaborate, and connect with others — whether I’m creating content, modeling, or supporting people across cultures.

While success may validate what you do, suffering shapes who you become. For me, it became the foundation of emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and quiet strength — qualities I carry into every part of my life and work today.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
There are a few truths that guide my life so deeply that I rarely think to say them out loud — they simply shape how I live and work every day.

One is that consistency matters more than intensity. Showing up quietly, doing what you say you will do, and treating even small responsibilities with care builds trust over time. I learned early that real strength isn’t loud — it’s steady.

Another truth is that respect is shown through action, not words. Listening fully, being prepared, honoring other people’s time, and following through are simple things, but they’re powerful. They’re also the foundation of every meaningful relationship I’ve built, both personally and professionally.

I also believe that kindness and discipline are not opposites. Structure can be an expression of love, and high standards can exist alongside compassion. Growing up taught me that being considerate doesn’t mean being passive — it means being intentional.

Finally, I believe that understanding people is more important than trying to impress them. Everyone carries unseen experiences, and when you move through the world with empathy and curiosity, collaboration becomes more genuine and sustainable.

These truths aren’t things I often articulate, but they influence every choice I make — how I work, how I collaborate, and how I show up for others. They’re the quiet values that hold everything else together.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me isn’t centered on titles or achievements, but on how I made them feel. That I showed up with care, listened without rushing, and treated people with respect — even in small, ordinary moments.

I hope they remember me as someone who worked with integrity and consistency, who didn’t cut corners, and who valued relationships over recognition. Someone who brought warmth into professional spaces, and professionalism into creative ones.

If anything, I hope people say that I helped them feel seen — whether through my work, my presence, or simply by taking the time to understand them. That I bridged cultures gently, created spaces where people felt comfortable being themselves, and approached life with both discipline and kindness.

Much of this was shaped by my grandparents. My grandmother taught me strength, responsibility, and consistency through action. My grandfather, who I lost when I was young, taught me something equally lasting — the importance of humility, sincerity, and always leading with a smile. He was deeply respected and loved, not just for his work, but for the warmth and kindness he brought to others. Remembering him, I’m reminded that being approachable and genuine can leave just as strong an impact as any achievement.

More than success, I hope my legacy is one of quiet trust. That people felt safe working with me, collaborating with me, and growing alongside me. If that’s the story that remains, I’ll feel that I lived a life aligned with my values — and that, to me, is everything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lehuadeur_aming

Image Credits
Kevin Boot
Jaspreet Singh
Courtney Tyler
Jerrick Orozco