Rebecca Takada

Cues and Views

Global marketing executive Rebecca Takada, in brief.

Rebecca Takada

Home: Tokyo and New York.  Birthplace: Nashville, TN.  Profession: Go-to-market.  Organization: Empire Selling.  Title: Chief Marketing Officer.  Pronouns: She/Her/Hers.  Languages spoken: English and Japanese.

Latest accomplishment: I just achieved a lifelong dream of writing a book, Quite Ready.  It’s due out May 2023.  What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Moving to Japan straight out of university with no local contacts, ability to speak the language, or money.  An immigrant’s challenges are unlike any others.  It was totally worth it.  Hobbies: International political economy, cooking, and, most recently, interior decoration.  Recent travel or adventure: To a traditional Japanese inn in the mountains for New Year’s solely to sit in my suite’s outside hot springs tub and watch the snow pile up on the pine trees.  Recently viewed and recommended: Everything Everywhere All At Once.  Recent unique acquisition: An antique scroll I bought in Kyoto for our tea room.

Moral compass: The Golden Rule.  What is your greatest fear? Restriction.  What is your guilty pleasure? A5 Wagyu.  What natural talent have you neglected? Art.  What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? First responders.  What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel, hands down.  How do you relieve stress? Go for a walk.  What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Ease.  I don’t want a fussy travel schedule logistics, guests or calendars.

What was your favorite college course? The Golden Age of Science Fiction, or, Ancient Roman History.  What book have you repeatedly read? The Master & Commander series, by Patrick O'Brian.  What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A black and white portrait of a lion staring down its viewer.  What’s the best advice you received in your career? Money talks and bullshit walks.  What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The internet.  What is your go-to source of news and information? My “News” list on Twitter, which curates headlines from reputable news sources.  

What change would you like to see in the world? 

We’d live in an incredible world if we all did the hard work to humbly figure ourselves out and better understand where/how to invest our energy.

What widely held belief do you reject? We should force ourselves to be positive for the benefit of other people’s comfort.  What mega-trend most excites you? In the Western world, we’re finally addressing the crimes of our past.  There’s a ton more work to do, but the places for blind ignorance and hate to hide are getting fewer and farther between.  What mega-trend most concerns you? A.I. being used in a way that someone thinks will make them the most money, rather than in ways that could best benefit society.

What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Quite Ready.  Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? I suppose it’s poor form not to start with God.  But Erasmus, if God were otherwise engaged.  As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronaut, for sure.  After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Just let it burn.  In loss, there’s freedom.  What advice would you give your younger self? You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep everyone else warm.

Personal motto: Be kind.  Be specific.  Be helpful.  Favorite quote: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for” (John A. Shedd).  Desired epitaph: She always ran towards the fire.

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