Paul: Majid Hashmi is the founder and CEO of Bridging Connect, a professional networking platform and consultancy connecting East and West. We met last year at Yokohama Connect on one of his many visits to Japan.
Majid and I spoke about how he developed an interest in UX and digital product design, his early career as a designer in London, his interest in Japan, and his mission to build a company connecting Japan, the UK, and beyond.
Hi Majid. Tell us a little about you.
Majid: Hi, I’m Majid, a 31-year-old entrepreneur and tech founder from London, UK. My background is in product design, with seven years of experience in the field. I’m currently building Bridging Connect, a West-East professional networking platform and consultancy aimed at creating opportunities between the UK, US, EU, Japan, Korea, and China. My expertise combines technology, business development, and cross-cultural networking, allowing me to bridge gaps between professionals and businesses looking to expand internationally.
Beyond business, I have a deep passion for fitness, travel, and self-improvement. I’ve spent time living in Japan and Korea, immersing myself in their cultures and gaining firsthand insights into how their business ecosystems operate.
Right now, my main goal is to scale my startup, expand my business network, and secure investment to further develop Bridging Connect. Additionally, I aim to offer more support to digital partners, having recently helped LG with a project in the UK.
You graduated from the University of Greenwich with a degree in art & design, focused on 3D art and animation. Have you always had an artistic streak? What kind of career goals or interests did you have, growing up or at uni?
Yes, I’ve always had a creative side. Growing up, I was passionate about design, digital media, and visual storytelling. At university, I specialized in 3D art and animation, thinking I might go into gaming or film.
However, as I explored different fields, I became fascinated with user experience (UX) and digital product design, where creativity meets problem-solving.
That shift led me to pursue a career in UI/UX design, working with startups and businesses to create intuitive digital experiences. Japanese culture has always been an inspiration to me, and I started using a website called MyLanguageExchange.com, an old-school pen pal service. From there, I became fascinated with learning Japanese.
How did your career develop in the UK after university?
After university, I began my career at a fast-paced design agency in Shoreditch, London. Following that, I worked for a startup developing a solution for farmers to monitor their crops. I then transitioned into freelancing in UI/UX design, focusing on website and app development projects. Most recently, I worked at an automotive B2B SaaS company, where I helped launch new products and redesigned their main booking platform, which went on to receive a SaaS award, then went back to freelancing.
Over time, I gained experience working with startups and tech companies, helping them enhance their digital presence and create more user-friendly products. My role extended beyond design, involving product strategy, branding, and business development.
I also worked on various international projects, which gave me valuable insights into different markets. This experience, combined with my passion for Japan and global business, played a significant role in shaping the vision for Bridging Connect.
Tell me about your interest in Japan. You’ve visited quite a few times, haven’t you?
Yes, I’ve visited Japan multiple times, over 10 times, in fact—and each trip deepened my appreciation for its culture, technology, and business landscape. I was initially drawn to Japan through its history and mannerisms, and it represented a new chapter in my life.
After graduating, I visited Japan for the first time and met more than 10 people I had connected with through language exchange. That experience made me feel like Japan was a second home, and I knew I wanted to return every year. From that moment, I also envisioned building a business connection with Japan in the future.
As I spent more time there, I became increasingly interested in Japanese business culture and how it differs from the West. I noticed that many Western professionals want to work in Japan but face barriers like language, networking, and understanding business etiquette. At the same time, many Japanese businesses seek international talent but struggle to connect with the right people. That’s one of the key challenges Bridging Connect aims to solve.
You founded Bridging Connect quite recently, in August 2024. What is it and what are you trying to achieve?
Bridging Connect is a professional networking platform and consultancy that connects businesses and professionals across the West and East.
Our mission is to break down professional, cultural, and language barriers to create seamless business connections. Whether it’s Western professionals seeking opportunities in East Asia or East Asian companies looking for global talent and partners, we provide a matchmaking system, consultancy services, and resources to support them.
We strive to be a globally inclusive professional solution, fostering collaboration and understanding between Western and Eastern professionals and businesses. Just as language exchange apps facilitate friendships and learning, our goal is to create a platform that enables professionals and businesses to connect, build relationships, and expand their opportunities across borders.
You’re currently in a pre-launch phase. When do you plan to go live?
We’re aiming to launch the platform around May 2025. Right now, we’re in the final stages of development, refining the user experience, and preparing for beta testing. The goal is to ensure a seamless experience for professionals and businesses looking to connect across the West and East.
Alongside the platform, we’ll continue offering consultancy services, including digital solutions like app/web design, branding, and business expansion support. We’re excited to bring this vision to life and help more people create meaningful professional connections.
You recently received approval for a Working Holiday visa for Japan. What are your plans?
The visa gives me flexibility to spend more time in Japan and expand Bridging Connect’s presence on the ground. My plan is to network with Japanese businesses, attend industry events, and build strategic partnerships. Being in Japan will also help me refine how our platform can better serve international professionals and companies.
Additionally, I’ll use this time to explore potential funding opportunities, accelerators, and support programs to scale Bridging Connect further.
What does your typical day look like?
Right now, every day is different, but generally:
Morning:
I start my day with the gym or a morning walk to stay active and focused. After that, I dive into emails, business development, and outreach to potential partners and investors.
Afternoon:
I work closely with my team on platform development, marketing strategies, and branding, ensuring that everything is progressing smoothly.
Evening:
I take time to read books on business, entrepreneurship, and global markets to keep learning. I also spend time networking, attending events, and occasionally creating content for social media to share insights about global business connections.
What are some of your goals for the future? Short-term, long-term, personally and/or professionally?
Short-Term Goals:
- Successfully launch Bridging Connect’s platform this spring time and gain early traction.
- Build strategic partnerships with businesses and organizations in the UK, Japan, and beyond.
- Expand our waiting list and user base through targeted marketing.
- Secure funding and investment this year to support growth and scalability.
Long-Term Goals:
- Establish Bridging Connect as the go-to platform for international professionals and businesses looking to connect between the West and East.
- Grow the team and secure additional funding to scale operations.
- Expand into other East Asian markets like South Korea, and China.
Personal Goals:
- Develop a consistent sleep and wake-up schedule to improve productivity.
- Currently at N3-level Japanese—work towards N2-level fluency this year to challenge myself.
- Increase gym sessions from 3 to 5 days per week and be stricter with my diet.
- Start a personal brand on Instagram to educate and share insights on topics I’m passionate about.
- Visit Japan again and reconnect with friends.
- Read more daily to continue expanding my knowledge.
Sounds like you’re going to be busy!
Quickfire questions
– What advice would you give someone considering starting their own business, especially one with a Japan component?
- Be patient. Things move at a different pace in Japan compared to the West.
- Learn about Japanese business culture. It’s key to building trust and long-term relationships.
- Networking is everything. Get involved in communities, events, and startup hubs in Japan and be there physically.
- Be persistent.
– How do you learn new skills?
I learn best through hands-on experience and self-study.
Right now, I’m focusing on business development, strategic partnerships, and marketing to grow Bridging Connect. Just diving into it, that’s how I learned everything, even UX design was something I learned from Youtube and managed to get a position as a Lead UI/UX designer.
Personal skills I’m currently developing:
- Japanese – by talking to people online, in real life and keeping a diary with me.
- Public speaking – by offering to attend university lecturers and attend toastmasters club in London.
- Mindfulness – by reading books about the mind.
- Powerlifting – I want to get into powerlifting again, so studying the science, learning about anatomy and then going to the gym and doing it.
- Rock climbing – taking bouldering lessons.
– Tell me a few of your favourite or most recently read books, movies, podcasts, and games.
Books: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss [Amazon JP / Amazon US & other] – he’s a big inspiration for me. This book sparked my rebellious phase, pushing me to leave my design job, start freelancing, and travel around East Asia.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill [Amazon JP / Amazon US & other] – this book is essentially the secret to life. It teaches that whatever you think about manifests into reality. Our minds act like a film, and our eyes are the projector—what we focus on, we create. I strongly believe in this concept.
Podcasts:
I enjoy listening to Tim Ferriss, Steven Bartlett, and any podcast related to business, self-development, life hacks, travel, health, and happiness.
Games:
It’s been a long time since I’ve played games, but honestly, I see life as the biggest game. Some people start at level 1, others at level 10, but in the end, it’s not a race—it’s about playing at your own pace.
That said, back in the day, I loved Skyrim, The Witcher, and Dragon Age—fantasy RPGs with rich storytelling and immersive worlds.
– What’s your favourite place to visit in Japan?
I don’t have just one favorite place in Japan, it’s like a vast buffet with so many unique flavors that it’s impossible to choose just one.
Kanto is great for networking, Hokkaido offers incredible cold weather and delicious food, and Kanazawa, often overlooked compared to Tokyo and Osaka, feels like a hidden gem, a smaller, more mysterious Kyoto.
I’d love to explore more of northern Honshu in the future.
– What’s the best thing you’ve spent 10,000 JPY on in Japan?
I spent it on dinner with my first language exchange friends, they were the ones who helped me learn Japanese and introduced me to so much. It felt great to treat them as a way of showing my appreciation.
Finally, do you have any asks for our readers?
I’d just add that Bridging Connect is open to partnerships and collaborations. If you’re a professional or business looking to expand into the West or East, feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation and join the waiting list for our platform.
Through our consultancy, we also offer digital services, including app and web development, branding, and design solutions tailored to help businesses establish a strong presence in new markets.
On one of our recent projects we worked on a design project for an LG beauty brand in the UK, developing packaging concepts for yet to be released. The project focused on ensuring the brand’s identity aligned with its target audience.
While Bridging Connect will soon launch as a self-service platform for matchmaking between the West and East, we are always looking to support businesses and professionals with tailored solutions. Let’s connect!
Thank you, Majid. I look forward to catching up with you during your next trip to Japan!
Connect with Majid on LinkedIn and watch his appearance on Lee Jean’s Produck Podcast. You can follow Bridging Connect here and contact by email.
Looking for a new IT job in Japan? Check out my job board. Hiring? Get in touch and let’s see how I can help.
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