Go Connect Spotlight Interview with Edvard Vondra - #MyGiving Story
- Jasmine Tsunoda
- 6月17日
- 読了時間: 4分
Connecting the community with meaningful opportunities through various media sources. Edvard Vondra, a Croatian native, found adventure, family, and eventually a home here in Japan! We at Giving Tuesday Japan had the exclusive opportunity to interview him about why he came to Japan, what inspired him to join Go Connect, and what his future goals are.
Take a look at the My Giving Story interview between Edvard and our Global Community Team Leader, Jasmine, below!
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Jasmine: Hi Edvard! It's so nice to meet you, and it has been a pleasure to work with you thus far. Please introduce yourself. Where are you from? What do you do? Could you share your background with charitable work and why it’s important to you?
Edvard: My name is Edvard Vondra, originally from Croatia, now based in Tokyo, where I’ve made a second home among the chaos, creativity, and quiet corner cafés of Japan. I work in business development and media, focusing on community-driven platforms, storytelling, and connecting great people with meaningful opportunities.
Professional Roles:
Managing Director – Media at Custom Media KK: Edvard oversees media operations at Custom Media, an award-winning content-creation and digital marketing agency.
Sales Director for INTOUCH Magazine: He serves as the Sales Director for INTOUCH, the lifestyle magazine of the Tokyo American Club.
Co-founder of Crozen Co., Ltd.: He co-founded Crozen Co., Ltd., an e-learning platform, further showcasing his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Community Builder at GoConnect.jp: Edvard contributes to GoConnect.jp, a platform designed to enhance the experience of living in Japan.
Jasmine: Why did you come to Japan?
Edvard: Initially, I came to Japan seeking adventure, something completely different from what I knew. But over time, it became more than that. Japan offered a unique blend of challenge and beauty that kept pulling me in. Eventually, it also became the place where I started a family, so now it’s not just about exploration, it’s home.
Jasmine: Please introduce GoConnect.
Edvard: GoConnect is like your community’s best-kept secret—except we don’t want it to be a secret! It was originally started by Custom Media as a bilingual platform connecting Tokyo’s international residents with businesses, services, and events that matter to them.
Think: a curated guide, marketplace, and media outlet rolled into one. Whether you're a parent looking for an international school, a business needing promotion, or someone curious about local events, GoConnect is here to, well... connect you.
Our audience is mostly expats, bilingual Japanese professionals, entrepreneurs, and those who want a bit more meaning (and fun) in how they live and work in Japan.
Jasmine: What inspired you to join?
Edvard: I was drawn to the platform because it’s not about selling, it’s about serving. I saw an opportunity to use media not just for marketing, but for building bridges. The world doesn’t need another billboard—it needs more conversations. GoConnect had the DNA for that.
Jasmine: What are the mission or future goals for GoConnect?
Edvard: Our mission is to create a trusted, inclusive platform, Community Lab, where community, business, and culture intersect. Long-term, we want to become the go-to place for those navigating life in Japan—not just for services, but for support, insights, and collaboration.
Jasmine: How is GoConnect involved in the community?
Edvard: We spotlight local entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives. We promote events that matter, partner with organizations that do good, and offer free listings and content to nonprofits and underrepresented groups. Our upcoming project, Community Lab, will take this to the next level.
Jasmine: What is your team like? Are you expanding?
Edvard: We’re a tight, creative, and multilingual team. Each person wears more than one hat (sometimes at the same time). We are expanding, especially in content creation, community engagement, and digital marketing. So yes, if you’re passionate and curious, reach out!
Jasmine: What is the most challenging thing about what you do?
Edvard: Time. There’s so much potential and so many ideas, but only so many hours in the day. Also, trying to keep things human in a digital-first world is a constant balancing act.
Jasmine: On the flip side, what is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
Edvard: Hearing from someone who found their new job, school, or support network through GoConnect. Or seeing a small business grow because of a campaign we ran. That feedback never gets old.
Jasmine: What do you personally hope to achieve?
Edvard: I want to help make Japan feel less like a puzzle and more like a playground for the international community if I can create opportunities for connection, growth, and joy; mission accomplished.
Jasmine: How can people support GoConnect?
Edvard: Follow us, share our content, suggest stories, or become a contributor. If you’re a business, consider advertising, partnering, or sponsoring an event. If you’re an individual, join our newsletter, attend an event, or just tell your friend who’s new in Tokyo.
Jasmine: Any upcoming events or workshops we should know about?
Edvard: Yes! We’re developing a new series under the Community Lab initiative—workshops on storytelling, branding, and digital tools for small businesses and freelancers. We’re also partnering with educational orgs to run talks and networking nights.
Jasmine: Have you heard about Giving Tuesday before our meeting?
Edvard: Yes! I love the concept. It’s like a global reminder that generosity isn’t seasonal. We’d love to collaborate on Giving Tuesday Japan in the future, perhaps by co-hosting an event, featuring local nonprofits on our platform, or running a storytelling series that highlights acts of giving.
We’d appreciate your support in amplifying our initiatives and giving us visibility to more groups doing amazing work here in Japan.
Jasmine: Edvard, thank you so much for your time. Everyone, please check out Go Connect's website and social media to learn more and stay informed on all things around Japan and Tokyo! Until next time!
Want to share your story? www.givingtuesday.jp/contacten
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