Hello everyone, I'm Maya Sugawara from Shunran no Yado Sakaeya. Actually, I once left Sakaeya. I've always loved Sakaeya, but when Sakaeya was in a difficult situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I left Sakaeya and returned to my hometown in Akita Prefecture. At that time, I thought I would never go to Nagano again.

I was warmly welcomed at the company in Akita Prefecture, and I enjoyed my work to a certain extent. I was given responsibilities and felt a sense of fulfillment. However, for some reason, I couldn't get Sakaeya out of my head, and I spent about a year and a half like that.

Around that time, the president and staff of Sakaeya asked me to come back, which made me very happy. However, my parents were against it, saying that I would go far away again after finally coming back, and I was very troubled. But then I realized that I really did like the members of Sakaeya, and somewhere deep down I wanted to work with them again, so I persuaded my parents and decided to return.

The reason I feel that way is because I was able to grow up at Sakaeya. Actually, I wasn't the type of child to assert my own opinions from a young age. In elementary school, I often had different opinions and perspectives than those around me, and sometimes my teachers would reject them.

"I'm different. My opinion is wrong."

Because of this, I came to hate speaking in front of people, being in front of people, and being watched by others. I thought that things would go smoothly if I didn't express my opinion. So, I'm good at simply doing what I'm told or what I'm asked to do. But because I'm just doing what I'm told, I don't feel much sense of fulfillment or enjoyment. I went to university because I didn't know what I wanted to do, and my mother works in elderly care and suggested that I study social welfare because she thought I would need care in the future, so I went to a school for social welfare. I also came to Nagano because a friend invited me. Given all that, I don't think I was the kind of person who could take the initiative to go back to the company I quit.

I think the turning point that allowed me to change was when I was given the opportunity to become the manager of the service department in my fourth year at Sakaeya.

Before me, the manager was a senior colleague who had supported Sakaeya for seven years. And now, that same senior colleague has taken my place and become my subordinate. The person who was my boss yesterday is now my subordinate. I didn't know what to do, but my senior colleague listened to my opinions. I'm sure there were times when I was wrong, but they never dismissed my opinions and incorporated them, saying things like, "That's a good idea," and "Thank you for letting me know." I remember being happy to think that even someone like me could be of some use to the company. After a year and a half as manager, I was given the opportunity to do consulting for other inns, and I was given many chances to grow. I realized that whether or not I could make the most of those opportunities ultimately depended on myself.

I was able to change because of my colleagues and the president of Sakaeya. Each of us faces our own challenges, and we support and encourage each other. We all work hard towards the same goals and care for one another, and Sakaeya is full of kindness. We also acknowledge our efforts and support each other. I realized that my dislike of speaking in front of people was because I was too focused on myself, worrying about what would happen if I made a mistake or failed. When I think about what I want to convey to the other person, what I want them to achieve, and what is best for them, I no longer feel embarrassed or reluctant.

I have trouble accepting myself, often thinking things like, "Others can do better," or "Maybe someone else would be better suited to this role," so I suppose I'm also bad at accepting others. But my colleagues at Sakaeya, who always supported me through good times and bad, were my source of strength. Similarly, I've come to believe that understanding and accepting the good and bad points of my colleagues, one by one, will contribute to their growth. I've truly realized this since returning to Sakaeya.

Currently, I've been entrusted with the role of recruitment manager and served as the project leader for recruitment branding. I want to cherish the time I spend with these colleagues and effectively convey the appeal of Sakaeya to students.

It is by thinking of the other person that you can change yourself.

Maya Sugawara

• 【profile】
  • Born in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
  • Joined the company in 2015
  • Motto: Action is the only way.
  • Hobbies: Napping, taking walks