Some stories are written across generations, in shared values, moments, and the quiet ways we grow side by side. For me, this story began in my mother’s home office, where ambition and curiosity were quietly seeded into our family life.

Watching her leave everything behind in Tokyo to build a new life in finance taught me early on that every job, no matter how small, shapes who we become. When I joined her years later at MGAM, I discovered that working together isn’t just about business. It’s about trust, tension, laughter, and the deep knowing that our bond can weather disagreement.

In this post, we trace our journey: the challenges of merging personal and professional roles, the lessons in leadership and listening, and how we carry forward a legacy built on empathy, integrity, and growth!

In this first entry of our travel reflections series, we return to a place that holds our hearts — Taormina, Sicily. From language school memories to arancini-filled afternoons and concert nights under the stars, this coastal gem has become both a sanctuary and a symbol of dreams fulfilled. Join us as we share the story of how my mother made her dreams come true by discovering Taormina, and how this magical town continues to ground and inspire us.