From
Airports to
Anywhere…
Kujaku was born from a wanderlust for other people’s stories which, you could say, started at the gates of an airport…
We all have a unique journey & my own is no different - filled with twists and turns, flat tires, and breathtaking views. It got me here, to this place and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but right here.
Our Why
“Start with why” - Simon Sinek
Kujaku’s why is very simple: we want to help people, especially young people, succeed on their professional journeys.
That is the beginning and end. It is present in every service, every word of an email, every What’s App message wishing you luck before an interview. Your success is literally our success (and joy and reason to celebrate).
Kujaku’s
Promise:
In everything we do - from emails to vibes, Kujaku will:
Respond with Radical candour
No bullshit. Straight-up is how we serve.
Approach always with “Meraki”
To do everything with passion and purpose. Fuck yes!
Be your Cheerleader
We all need one.
Treat you Fairly.
Just because life isn’t fair, doesn’t mean we do not have to be.
Expect you to act with Awesomeness
Yeah - you need to show up with your better mojo! And we love it.
1
Preamble:
A time to listen and learn - from each other. We need the W5s to where you are now and where you wanna end up at the end of this process.
2
Plan:
Work out a plan of attack with milestones. All that sexy logistics stuff.
3
Produce:
Work. Let it out.
Make some magic & mistakes.
4
Perfect:
Dotting “i”s and crossing “t”s never felt so good.
5
Perform:
You’re ready for center stage and we’ll be in the audience rooting you on.
6
Ponder:
A post-analysis on the journey and what we both learned and how we both grew for this.
Amazing how a few boundaries and a little insight go such a long way.
We’ve heard it from every single candidate in one form or another. “It’s out of our hands.”
But it is in your hands. You have so much more control over this process than you may believe.
And I can’t wait to empower you with a roadmap to get to your professional destination!
our Story
From Montreal to Tokyo to
The World...
From Montreal…
Since I was born, I knew the world was a small big place.
At the age of 4, my older sister and I would wake-up in an airport with a note that read “Meet Dad at Gate 9 - 7:30pm” with $20 taped to it (it was the 80s).
Not only did I learn to tell time rather young, I also got to witness these intimate moments where people reunited. I remember making-up backstories - some of them very dramatic: she’s an anthropologist returning from an expedition in Egypt, he’s a new student shy to meet his new host family, they apart for months finally together after the VISA was approved.
I always knew I wanted to see the world and eat on little patios while people-watching. Learn their stories. Maybe share a cocktail or a taco.
I had no clue though what I wanted to do professionally. Making money to pay my rent and pander to my addiction to books - sure! (& #stillaproblem) but I didn’t have a passion per say or a skill beyond being overdramatic.
To Tokyo…
It was at 27, I realised I needed to do something big. And I did: I moved to Japan.
Long story shortish, I stayed 7.5 years (!!!) and went from the classroom to - unexpectedly even to me! - becoming a recruiter.
I quickly discovered how 4-year-old-Nessa’s curiosity was finally satiated - within minutes of meeting a candidate, people just told me their entire back story. I relished in these tales by strangers that in moments became allies.
I loved it. And, after a little time, hated it too. Not the recruitment but the bureaucratic life. This idea that I am my most productive self sitting at a computer 8 hours a day. Nah - this bitch gets more done in a hammock during sunset. It was time for another big change…
Nessa sat down with Nessa and we decided to take a different yet familiar path ahead.
To the World.
For ten years, I worked recruitment for remote-first companies, predominantly in tech but hell! I’ve worked with VC Firms, steel manufacturing, legal firms, XR; there really isn’t a role I haven’t hired for.
I love(d) it. I could work from anywhere - my flat in Montreal or a cafe in Tel Aviv.
Yet despite working with some awesome companies, there was a nagging little voice in the back of my mind that each had their own version of “The Recruitment Game”.
Imagine you’re playing UNO and half way through the player puts down double 6es. Wait, WHAT? That changes everything - why didn’t you just tell me that from the get go? That’s the feeling I kept getting for my candidates. And at the end of the day, I’m Team Candidates.
And now, Here!
And so, in 2023, making a six-figure salary and helping some major names in the industry, I quit.
I was in Paros looking out the window with tears of frustration and of disgust with who I was becoming - not someone 4-year-old me would be proud of I can say that.
Two liver cleanses, 15 romance novels and 8 weeks of my dog getting more attention than he ever dreamed of, Kujaku came to mind.
HELPING PEOPLE +
MAKING MONEY +
LEVERAGING MY EXPERIENCE
FREEDOM & FLEXIBILITY
= Kujaku !
A little for me. A little for you. A whole lot of awesome.
The craziest part of this journey - it started well before the equation ever popped in my head. For more than a decade, my network has What’s Apped me at all hours for negotiation tips. My friends have called for promotion advice on weekends. Family acquaintances emailed for Resume Advice. Kujaku has been alive for longer than the idea in my mind - Crazy! Also, super cool.
Now though, we’re ready to focus on YOU 1000% & write a chapter in your own About Page for the company You Inc. :)
Fun Facts!
You’ll find some kind of Star Wars paraphernalia in every room of her house
Does not function before coffee
Sends postcards to everyone she loves from everywhere she goes (last batch was 82)
Will beat your ass at Catan every time
avid bullet journal-er and bullet journal advocate
Will eat a taco anytime anyplace anywhere
adopted a rescue dog and named him Julius, after her second-favourite dictator
Has 10 nerd tattoos (book quotes, Vulcan sayings and Japanese poetry included)
The Team
We have a mix of both here!
There is no I in Team. There is also Me in Awesome.
I am proud of my journey and how I did so much of this on my own. The best part was learning from and sharing with thought-partners along the way.
BRANDING & DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY
COPYWRITING GUIDANCE
Create & Wander
I met Micaela on a bus in Colombia and have had a professional crush on her since. Her business focuses on female entrepreneurship and let me say you don’t know where we would be today without her guidance and grace (oh - and patience).
Nicolas Abou
I discovered Nic the good ol’ fashioned way - Google Search! Low and behold, they do work. Although I met with many amazing photographers, Nic stood out with his business acumen & preparedness. Also - the depths to his photos are delicious. Go check out more of what he has done!
My Write Hand Woman
I used Lucy’s 132 page guide to get the core of this website written. It was its own challenging journey but like anything that takes a little love and a lotta effort, really proud of the results. Thanks Lucy & I recommend her guide to anyone needing a silent partner in the journey of copywriting.
