Kira Bella, the founder of Kirameki, a provider of rural tourism and cultural exchange programs based in Kitahiroshima, and a John Hopkins Master's graduate, perfectly demonstrates "100% Original" persona that Bright Choice aspire.

Born in Tanzania, raised in Australia, and moved to the US alone at age 15. Her first language is French, and her mother is a Buddhist from Myanmar. Kira's upbringing itself reads like a lesson in "international education." What did she absorb from this environment where diverse cultures intersected, and what kind of foundation did it build for her personality? Through her life story, Kira gave us many tips on how to discover and nurture a child's "true self" to live in this global society.

Rather than following a pre-existing track, she designs her own path based on her immediate passions and awareness of issues. Her flexible yet resilient lifestyle--best described as "start for now, adjust while running"--serves as the ultimate model for the "ability to create one's own happiness," a trait children living in the AI era and a global society need to acquire. In this trilogy, we uncover the source of her inspiration.

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Part 3: Entrepreneurial Spirit
Life Lesson from a John Hopkins Master's Graduate
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(Last Episode - Power to Choose |What Truly Matters in a Global Society 〈2026.10.01〉)

While completing a master's degree on Sustainable Energy at Johns Hopkins University, Kira also runs a company in the satoyama of Hiroshima.

However, what she always envisaged for 25 years was "the United Nations." What made her let go of her dream path and take the leap into entrepreneurship?

We asked her for tips on how to foster an "entrepreneurial spirit" at home to survive the AI era.


【The Reason I Let Go of a 25-Year Dream to Become an Entrepreneur】
B: We understand you didn't originally aspire to be an entrepreneur.

K: That's right. Having grown up watching my father as a UN official, I naturally assumed I would work for the UN too. I chose my major for that purpose and had the confidence that "if I applied, I could do the job." It was a life plan I held onto for 25 years. However, as I traveled the world and deeply studied geopolitics and international relations, that certainty began to waver. I started questioning, "Is the UN truly making the world a better place?" Even if I earned a high salary, what awaited me was desk work in a corner of an office. I became disillusioned by the reality that I wouldn't get a direct sense of being useful to someone.

B: That's a major course correction.

K: Between 2023 and 2024, the plan I had held for 25 years crumbled. Honestly, it was scary. But that was when I realized: the only thing you can truly trust is what you build with your own hands. Just talking about ideas keeps them as mere dreams. It only becomes a reality when you register the company, acquire customers, and money moves. If you wait for perfect preparation, that market will disappear. That was the answer I arrived at.

【"Becoming a Bridge" -- A Business That Circulates Money Through the Community】
B: The business you launched is the regional revitalization project "Kirameki," correct?

K: Yes. The core philosophy of the business is "becoming a bridge." Instead of building many guesthouses myself, I focus entirely on connecting travelers with local life by utilizing vacant houses, existing inns, and regional resources. I call myself a "Travel Designer," but the system is set up so that I pay local guesthouses more than their initial asking price, while I receive compensation for planning and arranging the trips. All the money spent lands right in the town. It leads to economic revitalization. I feel firsthand that I am achieving the kind of impact the UN wanted to accomplish, but in a more direct and ethical way.

B: You are practicing a "sustainable international society" starting right from the local community beneath your feet.

K: I'm happy to hear you say that. With transparency as my ethical anchor, and as the town's only native English speaker, I handle everything myself--from marketing and guiding to storytelling for traditional events.

【Savings Accumulating Since Age 14 Opened the Door to Entrepreneurship】
B: Did you provide the capital for starting the business yourself?

K: It was about 5 million yen that I had saved from working continuously since I was 14. This perfectly matched the capital requirement needed for the Business Manager visa at the time (the requirement has since been raised due to legal changes). Setting up a company in Japan is so complicated that even Japanese people find it tedious; it was the ultimate hurdle for me, tackling it in my second language. But I pushed through, believing that "if you are doing the right thing, Japan is forgiving."

B: And you went into action immediately.

K: My mindset is "start for now, and fix things based on feedback (the voices you receive)." I established the limited liability company (Godo Kaisha) in February 2024, and just 10 days later, on February 10, we were already welcoming our very first guests (laughs). While the rates weren't even finalized yet, I accepted everyone who came, turned it into a learning experience, and by the following year, rapidly grew it into a properly polished professional operation. My initial goal was "5 million yen in three years," but in reality, we generated 10 million yen in revenue in the first year. Because focusing too much on money can cause you to lose sight of the essence, I maintain sole ownership without relying on external capital, keeping the mindset that "this is my baby."

B: What should parents who want to cultivate an "entrepreneurial spirit" in their children start with?

K: I think it's letting go of perfectionism just a little bit. Instead of waiting "until you are fully prepared," it's about "trying it out for now, and fixing it if it doesn't work." This repetition of small trial-and-error steps is precisely the most necessary skill for the AI era. Precisely because we live in an era where AI can provide answers, the human capacity to "pose questions, act, and make adjustments" stands out. Instead of blaming them for failures, ask together, "How should we proceed next?" I believe that is the best entrepreneurial education you can provide at home.

【Titles Open Doors, a Continuous Learning Attitude Builds Trust】
B: You are currently still studying at Johns Hopkins University.

K: Yes, I am on track to complete my master's degree in Sustainable Energy. Something I realized after starting my business is that simply holding titles like "CEO" or "Founder" makes people view you as "successful." That alone expands your network and opportunities. Even if you aren't a billionaire, having a title and something to offer is far better than having nothing. I want to combine the solid credibility of a Johns Hopkins University degree with my on-site track record. My next goal is to stand on the TED stage.

B: Continuous learning serves as the foundation of trust.

K: I believe so. An academic foundation of international caliber is like a passport that works anywhere in the world. Because I have that, I can stay connected with the world even from a small mountainous town.

【Aiming for a Future Where "Women Inherit Culture"】
B: Please tell us about your future outlook.

K: My biggest challenge right now is wishing there were another one of me (laughs). It's hard to find talent who can speak Japanese, blend into the community, possess hospitality, have storytelling skills, do farming, drive, and love people from all over the world. However, there was a turning point. I met Yuka, a Japanese-American student studying regional revitalization at Harvard University. Yuka is the ideal person I had envisioned. I plan to slowly scale the business together with her. I want to pass down culture, hospitality, community management, and storytelling to the next generation.

B: Lastly, a message for readers raising children.

K: For me, "wealth" is not determined by the amount of money you have. Growing my own tomatoes in Kitahiroshima, I feel just as safe and wealthy as Jeff Bezos (the founder of Amazon). A life deeply loved by your community is far more fulfilling than owning a 50th yacht. Being deeply loved by the town, living sustainably, and having peers who can work comfortably--true wealth comes when those are aligned. If you try to fix the entire world, you will get crushed. That's why I start radiating good things gradually from the tiny circle right at my feet. Please convey this to your children: "Success is not about comparing yourself to someone else or tearing others down. It's about making the area within your own reach a little bit better, step by step."

【Editor's Note】
Letting go of the stable track of the "UN"--a dream she held for 25 years--Kira built her own business with her own hands. The driving force behind that was an entrepreneurial spirit defined by "starting for now and adjusting while running." In an era where AI provides answers, what stands out is the human power to "pose questions, act, and adjust." Refraining from blaming failures and asking, "How should we proceed next?"--Kira's way of life is packed with hints for the best entrepreneurial education parents can implement at home.

【Profile】
Kira Bella
Founder & CEO of the regional revitalization business "Kirameki." Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and raised in Australia. Moved to the US alone at age 15 and has traveled to more than 40 countries to date. Majored in Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon and is on track to complete her master's degree in Sustainable Energy at Johns Hopkins University. Established "Kirameki" in Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, in 2024, operating in the fields of cultural preservation, regional revitalization, and international understanding. Through social media, she shares the charm of the culture and people living in Japan's satoyama both domestically and internationally.

Official Website: https://www.kirameki.earth/
Kirameki Instagram: @kirameki.earth
Kira Bella Instagram: @earthkira

【Kira's Life Story: In The New Norm of Diversity】
Part1: Upbringing
The World Raised Me to Become a Global Citizen (2026.09.24)

Part2: Why Hiroshima?
Power to Choose|What Truly Matters in a Global Society (2026.10.01)

Part3: Entrepreneurship
Life Lesson from a John Hopkins Master's Graduate (Current Article)