Junki Yoshida, Founder and CEO of the Yoshida Group
On His Life Story: The American Dreamer
Success Stories of Oregon and Japan Doing Business Together
October 28, 2010 |6p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Union, room 327/328
Junki Yoshida is founder and CEO of the Yoshida Group, an Oregon-based conglomerate comprised of 18 diverse companies. At the age of 19, speaking very little English, he left his family's home in Japan against his parents' wishes in search of the "American Dream." From living in his car to nearly dying of starvation, Mr. Yoshida relied upon the fundamentals of karate and the kindness of others in order to persevere. With determination, a hefty dose of humor, and unique marketing tactics, he transformed an old family recipe for teriyaki cooking sauce into the foundation of a multi-million dollar corporation.