CREA-Zine Vol.3 - Early Spring, New Beginnings
- Creative Basho
- Mar 16
- 7 min read
CREA-Zine Vol.3 Early Spring, New Beginnings
Blue skies and white clouds,
We meet underneath the tree.
Petals of flowers,
Dancing like tender rain.
The early spring breeze,
the sign of new beginnings.
Crea-Zine Volume 3
March 2025
(For the best viewing experience, we recommend reading the article in "desktop view")
I. Happy March 👋
CREABA is back again with our second volume of CREA-zine 🔥
The weather has been getting a bit warmer these days, but some of us are still attached to our thick jackets 🧥
February has been an eventful month for CREABA. We had our little IRL Lightning Talk event in Roppongi and now we’re charging forward to March with our career design events 👜
Its been a bit stressful, and overwhelming at times. We’re sure everyone has made the mistake of committing to a lot of things that make the world seem heavy and busy 😅
But we believe that our programs serves a good purpose; developing young individuals’ transferable skills, and supporting everyone’s journey for self development and improvement 🫶
Tldr; life can be tough, and sometimes we can overcommit. However, if we think that commitment is worth it, then what’s not to fight for? 😄
So, let’s greet the early spring and arrival of new beginnings together 🌸
Enjoy the third edition!
Best,
CREABA.
II. Event Recap - LT#2 - From Papers to Business
Story time: LT#2 Event!
The day begun like any other day.
Perhaps a but differently for some people, since the day precluding it was Valentine’s day (single people can’t relate), but the 15th was a special day.
Why? Because it was D-Day.
Our second Lightning Talk: From Papers to Business!
Anyway, the day started out like any other day. ☀️
We got up, got ready, and headed out.
The event officially starts at 2 PM, but the CREABA members started their day early.
We first met up at a cozy little Italian restaurant in Roppongi for some brunch. 🍝🥂
It was the first time all members gathered together, so we treated ourselves to the best food our budget could afford (which, tbh, is quite generous). 😏💰
After some yapping and fun times, we exchanged a secret Sakura gifts!
We didn’t know who was going to give us our gifts, and we could only hope that our gift giver checked our wishlist ….
But again, it was a success! And everyone was super happy with their gift 😄
Look at us trying to pose for the camera 😂
After that, we headed to the venue: Blink Community. Nestled in the quiet corners of the bustling Roppongi, it was very quaint, cozy and comfortable.
We began setting up early and struggled a bit with the seat arrangement. It worked out in the end, and we could only pray that the leg room would be enough for the tallest of people 😅
We kicked off our event with an introduction of CREABA by our lively host, Leah! She explained what we do, and also the theme of today’s talk; which is from a small idea on paper into a full fledge project or business.
After that, Mika gave a quick shout on the Crea-zine. Which, btw, accepts monthly submissions from talented creative people such as yourself!
Then, Natalie gave us a quick overview on Blink Community! Also, she helped out with providing everyone drinks 🍸 A true blink community experience 😆
Now that the logistics and intros were done, we invited our first speaker onto the stage; Natsumi! Natsumi shared how her global experiences and passion for student voices led to the creation of Waseda Daily. She discussed the intersection of advocacy and journalism, offering insights on turning ideas into impactful student initiatives.
The second in line was Han, our resident learning designer! Han was the Learning Designer & Facilitator behind CREABA’s Design Thinking Program, helping learners transform ideas into real-world solutions. She started as a participant and later led the program’s design, making it more inclusive and hands-on. In this event, she shared how small steps, testing ideas, and collaboration turn ideas into reality.
After that, we invited Simon onto the stage. Simon shared his journey of turning ideas into impact, from co-founding Stilmark Group to launching "do." in Tokyo. He discussed scaling startups, embracing curiosity, and the power of learning through doing to bring ideas to life.
Last but certainly not least, Gia took up the stage and told us the story of Passion Project JP! Gia shared her journey of building Passion Project Japan from a podcast idea into a thriving media platform. She discussed lessons from interviewing entrepreneurs and how to turn passion into a sustainable, impactful venture.
The talks were super fun and everyone enjoyed listening to it.
After that, we had a little free time and networking session, and wrapped up by 5. So yeah! It was an exciting day in the life of CREABA 😆
III. LT#2 - From Papers to Business - Thoughts + Comments
Facilitator Comments: Leah
Our second Lightning Talk ⚡ brought together four amazing speakers who shared their genuine journeys.
✨ Natsumi showed how student journalism creates real campus change through Waseda Daily.
🧩 Han’s creative Lego analogy perfectly captured the evolution from CREABA to The Impact Toolbox.
🐐 Simon (rightfully crowned the GOAT by attendees!) didn’t just give us empty motivation talk—he got real about finding your drive when things get tough and making choices about what truly matters in your passion projects.
🎙️ Gia’s refreshing admission about being "a lazy, procrastinating perfectionist" who still launched a podcast in just a month reminded us all that authentic creation beats perfectionism.
Personally, hosting this event felt like another step in my public speaking journey—comfortable but still growing. 🌱
I’d love to hear your ideas for our next Lightning Talk! 💡 What speakers, topics, or formats would you like to see? 🤔✨
Guest Comments: What our participants thought!
"Inspiring, insightful, and filled with great conversations!" 💡✨
🔹 “I loved hearing how each speaker turned an idea into reality—it made me rethink my own goals.”
🔹 “Great mix of engaging talks and meaningful networking. The energy in the room was amazing!”
🔹 “Felt so welcomed—amazing people, great discussions, and lots of takeaways I can apply.”
🔹 “Hearing real-life stories from different backgrounds was so eye-opening.”
🔹 “Simon’s talk on starting businesses? Absolute game-changer!”
Curious on how the day went?
IV. Community Showcase
As per business as usual, we will showcase all our community submissions in this section ✨
This edition, we feature the work of three wonderful creators; be sure to give their work some love 💕
Silhouettes and Bright Lights - 5 Images
By Andy Wilson
Medium: Photography
Description/Author's Comments:
Ghostly images constantly occupy the bright lights along the backstreets of Tokyo's nightscape.
I shall wilt.
By Lana Siata
Medium: Art (Digital, traditional, etc) , Writing - Fiction: Short story, poetry, etc.
Description/Author's Comments:
A painting and poem I created when I was struggling with my mental health. I'm certain everyone and their mother has experienced a time when they burnt up all their energy on a specific feeling, act, person, etc. To me, a candle burning itself down resembles the human experience of living. They set themselves on fire with their passions and ambitions, its self-destructive yet productive behavior brings a little warmth and light to those around it. It's a trait I frequently see in myself and other people.
Merry-Go-Round
By Mika (Tyarisna)
Medium: Photograph, Poetry
I've never ridden one of these—
These little merry-go-rounds.
They're called carousels.
They spin slowly,
Enough to make you dizzy,
Not enough to make you cry.
It was a bit embarrassing,
An adult woman riding a merry-go-round,
Surrounded by children,
Wrapped in the embrace of their parents.
I've ridden one of these—
These little merry-go-rounds.
It made me dizzy the first time,
Made my head spin with nostalgia.
It made me want to be a child again,
Free of worries,
Free of the burdens an adult must carry.
It's a bit exhausting,T
o constantly spin.
The world is always moving—
Sometimes, I can't even focus on a single thing.
Let's go for another spin,
On this carousel of lovely dreams.
Say goodbye to yesteryears.
Want to become a contributor to our community showcase?
Be sure to read our submission guidelines before submitting to our next edition!
V. Upcoming Event(s)
MARCH 2025
The Breakthrough Kit
🚀 Master Design Thinking & Tackle Real-World Challenges! 🚀
Want to stand out in the job market while solving pressing social issues? The Breakthrough Kit is a hands-on, 2-day Design Thinking program where you’ll collaborate with a global community, develop innovative solutions, and build a portfolio-worthy case study.
🎯 What You’ll Gain:
✅ Apply your knowledge to real-world challenges
✅ Experiment with innovative solutions for social impact
✅ Master Design Thinking, a highly sought-after skill
✅ Build a portfolio-worthy project to showcase to employers
✅ Earn a certificate & lifetime access to valuable resources
📅 March 22 (Sat) & March 23 (Sun), 2025 | 17:00 - 22:00 JST
📍 Online via Butter | 🎙 Led by Han (Learning Designer, CREA場) & Marlen (UX Researcher)
💸 Payment Details
🔹 The Breakthrough Kit (P2 only): 3,800 JPY / 710,000 VND / 28 EUR
🔹 The Impact Toolbox Full Series (P1 + P2): 4,000 JPY / 750,000 VND / 30 EUR (Save 14%)
💡 Discount Codes:
🔹 Part 2 Code: DT
🔹 Bundle Discount Code: IMPACT
📌 Include your code (DT/IMPACT) in your payment message.
🚀 Turn ideas into real impact—Sign up today!
Shuukatsu Unplugged & Reimagined
🌱 Shūkatsu Unplugged & Reimagined: Rethinking Your Career Path 🌱
Tired of the traditional shūkatsu grind? Wondering how to make job-hunting in Japan more meaningful, flexible, and YOU? 🤔💡
Join us for an interactive workshop where we’ll:
✨ Redefine shūkatsu—make job-hunting enjoyable & rewarding
🎤 Hear real stories from global talents who’ve successfully navigated the Japanese job market
🤝 Build a strong network with like-minded peers & industry pros
🧠 Embrace a growth mindset for an evolving job landscape
📅 March 22 (Sat) | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM JST
📍 Moon Creative Lab
💰 500 JPY (students) | 800 JPY (early professionals)
🚀 Whether you're just starting or feeling stuck, walk away with clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies to shape a career that truly matters to YOU.
Thank you for reading!
See you in our next edition
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