We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maryn Masumiya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maryn , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
One of the best things I did to overcome impostor syndrome was to get in touch with my own feelings of worthiness. When I was younger, I sought validation from others because I wasn’t confident in my own feelings yet.
Over time, my pursuit of external validation led me to burn out and feelings of emptiness. I finally made an effort to connect with my own intuition and define what my values are.
Of course I still feel scared and disappointed at times, but I don’t let that define my worth or success. As long as I am taking risks that are worth it to me, even if they don’t always go as planned, I can rest knowing that I’m living life on my own terms.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Clay Artist and own a small business called Kawaii Craft Shop where I make cute keepsakes from polymer clay. I rediscovered my love of working with clay about four years ago, and have been creating ever since.
I try to incorporate my Japanese culture into my creations, and find a lot of inspiration from Japanese animations and art styles. It helps me reclaim this part of my identity and share what I love about my culture with the world.
I also really enjoy making custom sculptures of people’s families, pets, and special memories. It is an honor to be a small part of people’s weddings, birthdays, holidays, and memorials and I hope my customers can treasure their Kawaii Craft Shop pieces for years to come.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Before I started my own business, I worked in corporate marketing for 14 years. Doing this work, I faced a lot of common fears like public speaking, doing networking events on my own, launching brand new ideas and failing along the way. Having these experiences helped me to get in the habit of trying new things and putting myself out there – two skills that are essential in life and carving out a meaningful career.
It’s important to remember that taking risks and making mistakes just comes with the territory of growing on any path. My good friend, Lia Fetterhoff of Swishie, calls this the “stretch zone.” Being in a place of healthy challenge – not too much where it makes you panic, and not too little where you feel stagnant.
If you can remain flexible enough to pivot when necessary while staying connected to your own sense of purpose, you can tackle new challenges and stay the course of building something truly meaningful.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Both of my parents are Aquarians and have often followed the beat of their own drum. They seemed to defy common stereotypes – my Mom was more of the leader in our family and my Dad had no problem letting her take center stage.
They both had quirky hobbies and progressive ideas about the world. More than anything they explicitly taught us, they showed us through example that it was okay to be different and live life outside of the proverbial box.
This modeling gave me and my brothers the freedom to explore and not stick to a traditional path. I’ve worked in many different industries and have learned to embrace change and go after what feels most aligned with my spirit.
Life is too short to be living someone else’s idea of a good life. Have the courage to go out and discover what that means for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kawaiicraftshop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kawaiicraftlady/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/kawaiicraftlady
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marynm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kawaiicraftshop9062
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kawaiicraftlady
Image Credits
Wasao Photography
