New Year’s Message from Activ8 President and COO
Happy New Year to all of you! I’m thrilled to welcome 2020.
Thanks to our outstanding client base and the hard work of our employees, we were able to complete 2019 in good spirits. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of our company. As we celebrate this significant milestone, I’d like to reflect upon our journey. It has been challenging and rewarding to build a strong team of professionals providing solutions in recruiting and human resources.
In September 2000, while sitting in my kitchen near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, two employees and I established Renaissance Resources, Inc. To me, the word Renaissance meant a return to the old ideals of humanism: treating each other with dignity and respect. My personal mission was to create nurturing office environments that are fair and respectful. This is my contribution toward building a more progressive society.
Along the way, we have weathered many changes. In 2014, we moved to our current location on Chicago’s North Side. In 2017, we adopted a new brand name Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions. Our name, Activ8, is derived from the English word “activate.” It reflects our goal of helping anyone who feels unsure how to take the next step to further their career. Plus, in Japanese characters, the number 8 symbolizes good fortune.
Today, the Activ8 group is blessed with about 70 employees, 80% of whom are fully bilingual. Stepping through the doors of our offices in six U.S. locations and two in Canada, where diverse professionals work together in teams, you can envision the future of Japanese corporations in the global economy.
We could only have achieved this remarkable milestone thanks to our dedicated employees, and I’m deeply grateful to them. Our first 20 years brought remarkable growth, and it’s important for Activ8 to give back to our employees and the communities where we live. As part of showing our appreciation, Activ8 joins the local chambers of commerce everywhere our offices are located as well as in other regions. We support local community events. When our communities need help, we’re here to lend a hand.
In the New Year, the Activ8 group will continue to help our clients reach their dreams. I pledge to continue to join forces with my employees and clients to work toward a progressive, sustainable and brighter society. Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous New Year!
Kengo Kaji
President and COO
Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions
