Ep 04: A Journey of Karate, Zen and Business with Anthony-James Owen.

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The Business Karaoke exists to lead and inspire unconventional conversations around business and innovation in Japan. By sharing these bi-lateral stories, we aim evoke confidence in today's global professionals in expanding their businesses to Japan, as well as, elevating Japan as a viable place for a meaningful career for global professionals. 

In this week's episode, Anthony-James Owen, founder of Guerrilla Marketing Group,  shares his journey from student of karate and zen to founding a global marketing and sales firm. Join us as we explore the life lessons that exist in karate, zen and business.

00:34 An introduction to Anthony, his connection with karate and a surprise visit from his cat, Jack!
06:20 Studying in Japan as a foreign karate student in 1980.
09:39 Convincing your parents to let you travel alone before the age of the internet.
13:43 The extreme of modern Japan and ancient Japan.
18:59 Lessons from living in a Zen monastery.
28:02 Transitioning from Zen to career in IT.
33:12 Translatable Zen and karate skills for a successful sales career
35:45 One call can change your priorities
39:45 Building a business inspired by a life in Zen and karate
44:38 Zen lens on for today's managers
50:42 The benefits of teaching children one of the Japanese martial arts and implementing a simple meditation practice in your life

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More on Anthony-James Owen

I started my education in Karate being age 5 and a half years old in 1969. First as a Judoka but moving fast into one of the first Karate classes in Germany. 

My formal Karate education had a first major milestone when I was allowed to run my first classes on my own as a 2. Kyu starting at age 13. I went into numerous Karate competitions and won regional and national championships in the Kumite section of the tournaments. At tis time I did spent 6 days a week to improve my Karate skills.

After being selected to fight for the German national team (youngsters) I was intensively prepared by the national coach - which was Sensei Hideo Ochi at the time and later also by Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki. I was invited to go to Japan and study Karate Do there in 1980. After coming back to Germany to finish high school I won the Youngster European Championship and went back to Japan in 1982 for another 1,5 years. 

Coming back from Japan in 1982 I started to fight in one of the first professional Karate leagues in the UK and retired offically as a competitor in 1988 because of my demaninding job in the IT industry. But never stopped training in Karate since then.

Now, in 2020 the Karate-Do is part of my life for more than 51 years now.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn.