My First Job: Midori Yoshikawa

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December 27, 2007

My First Job: Midori Yoshikawa

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Midori Yoshikawa

Now: Architectural interior designer

Then: McDonald's cashier

Current position: Owner and principal designer, Midori Yoshikawa Interior Design in Bellevue.

First job: Working as a teenager for minimum wage at a McDonald's in Tokyo. I remember the menu board had the slogan "The Smile is Free," so children and flirtatious young men would come up to me at the counter and demand to see me smile. I used to get very annoyed at these people and give them my very best blank face, which earned me the nickname of "Iron Face" from my manager. I still have the uniform, but no one calls me "Iron Face" anymore. I later worked at one of Tokyo's top design firms and moved to Seattle in 1991 to work for a commercial design firm before opening my own business in 2002.

What I learned: The importance and power of a smile while serving others is a lesson I did not appreciate at the time of my McDonald's employment, but this has now become an important part of my client relationships. A sincere smile can truly open the path to someone's heart. Because an interior space is so highly personal, I strive to touch upon the deeper emotions of my clients, the better to create a space where they will always be smiling.

Want to tell us about your first job? Fax the above information to 206-382-8879 or e-mail business@seattletimes.com

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