Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Matsumoto.
Hi Jill, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
On the journey of discovering my true self, I was drawn to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi. The words finding beauty in imperfection sang to me, but this wasn’t always the case. As a child and young adult, I focused on intricate details, precision, and preparation to achieve what I thought as perfection. Perfection to me was making the select soccer team, making the Olympic Development soccer team, playing in the NCAA tournament, graduating Magna Cum Laude, having a career, creating a family, and making a lot of money. I always focused on what I could have done better instead of allowing myself to celebrate my achievements. That focus carried into my work as a young interior designer, and truth be told my constant pursuit of perfection kept me from reaching my true potential. When I say “true potential,” I mean looking within and asking myself why I continued to feel unfulfilled when I was achieving all my goals. At age 40, I went down the path of self-realization through meditation. This path changed my perspective, and I started to reflect back on whether I pursued each achievement for myself or what I thought others wanted from me. The answer to that question led me to practice the Wabi Sabi philosophy, which acknowledges nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect. A simple yet profound message to embrace life and recognize it is ever-changing. I named my company Wabi Sabi Hospitality LLC to remind myself there is beauty in imperfection and rather trying to be perfect for everyone, I only need to be perfectly me.
The art of Kintsugi is a Japanese practice that signifies the spirit of Wabi Sabi. It is the art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold or silver lacquer. It is a beautiful reminder to stay optimistic when things fall apart and to celebrate the flaws and missteps of life.
This philosophy was extremely hard for me to accept because I was a people-pleasing control freak. By embracing this journey of self-discovery, I realize the only thing I can control is how I react to things. I cannot make everyone like me, and I am okay with that, I cannot be mom of the year based on social media standards, but I can give myself grace to be the best mom I can be. I cannot win every project I bid on for work, so I do not dwell on the loss long before I tell myself one door closes another will open. When I can accept and practice this philosophy, I feel lighter and happier. Believe me, it is not an on/off switch of self-realization, but more like a dimmer switch with some days brighter than others.
On my company website, you will find that I promote myself equally if not more than the manufacturers I represent. This is intentional as it is important for people to know who they are doing business with. Anyone can represent manufacturers, but no one can be me, and that is what sets Wabi Sabi Hospitality LLC apart from the competition. Although my career path has built a strong foundation to support my client’s needs, I realize that foundation will not be enough, and I need to continue to learn and grow. A constant pursuit of self-improvement turns each project into a teaching moment and as a result clients become my mentors.
I no longer view projects as successes and failures but opportunities to grow.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been far from smooth. I would say a more accurate description is like a roller coaster with a lot of ups and downs and the occasional loop-to-loop. Growing up, I always wanted to be perfect in everything, and I was my own worst critic.
Have you ever wanted recognition for the success you achieved yet stop short of taking that goal to the next level because that meant you needed to be in the spotlight? Growing up, I excelled at team sports. If we lost, it was a team loss, not a personal loss. When it was time to stand out as an individual, I would subconsciously sabotage myself. For example, I started playing on the Under 14 Minnesota State Olympic Development soccer team. To make it to the regional team, I would have to stand out above my teammates. I would have to try my hardest, and I feared my hardest would not be enough and then subconsciously, my focus switched to do the opposite and blend in. Counterproductive I know, but it allowed me to stayed in my safe place. Somehow, I got in my head that failure was a sign of weakness.
When I was 14, I never dreamed of owning my own business because I would have meant I had to stand out and have only myself to blame if it failed. My perspective on life started to change when I wandered into a local meditation spot in 2017. I was searching for ways to manage my stress without a therapist or medications. I tried seeing a therapist in 2013 because my stress levels were so high I was having fainting spells as known as syncope. My relationship with the therapist was short-lived as I struggled to connect with her on a personal level. Meditation is where I discovered I was creating my own stress by trying to control all aspects of life instead of living it. It took me a year to discover this, and it will take a lifetime to practice.
In retrospect, my therapy sessions were not a total waste of time; it just took me several years to be in the right mindset to receive the guidance. Prior to meditation it was like she was asking me to draw a picture of her while sitting in the dark. After meditation, it was like the light in the room was on, and she was holding my hand drawing with me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wabi Sabi Hospitality LLC represents multiple manufactures that provide products and services focused on the hospitality industry. I work directly with interior designers, purchasing agents, hotel developers, and investors to make their vision come to fruition. I specialize in connecting people with subject experts in our industry to develop amazing hotel guest spaces and experiences.
My focus is making honest personal connections, giving back to the future of our industry through mentorships and scholarships, advocating for mental health, and promoting non-profits that speak to my heart. I am the current board member and serve as treasurer of the NEWH Dallas Chapter, which provides scholarships, education leadership development, and networking resources in the hospitality industry. When I have opportunities to entertain clients, I try to expose them to new things and an places that are making a difference in our communities. I highly recommend you check out Promise of Peace (POP), Gardens (promiseofpeace.us), and the work they do to empower youth and their families through high-quality Earth-to-Table education to create sustainable food security. The POP Garden allowed me use their location to host a plant party for clients and inspired me to start a garden box cleanup at my son’s elementary school. While attending the NEWH 2022 Leadership Conference, I learned that the non-profit Bridges from School to Work (bridgestowork.org/Dallas-fort-worth) has a local office here in Dallas. Bridges was established by the Marriott Family to help youth exiting the U.S. special education programs prepare for and connect to their first jobs.
I want readers to know that I work hard and try to surround myself with people who are passionate about making a difference. It is my passion to invest in our future generations, and Wabi Sabi Hospitality LLC is my way of funding this investment.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am grateful for my amazing family and coaches, and mentors that have crossed paths with me and encouraged me to be me.
Values, Ethics & Life Lessons: Kathy, Wayne, Brad, Jeff, Davis, and Evan
Professionalism: Krista, Raul, Kevin
Meditation: Sriram
Contact Info:
- Website: wabisabillc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wabisabihospitality/
Image Credits
Brittnie Renee Photography
Atali Samuel Photography
