AS Himawari Saipan Inc. marks 20 years of operation, Marianas Variety spoke to its longest serving employees to check in on how the company has grown after two decades of operation and the roles they played in that growth.
Having been with the business since it opened in 2006, Mary Rose Guevarra, Anita Cornista, and Keisuke Noguchi all have institutional knowledge of what keeps Himawari running day in and out, but they tell us it’s the family-like environment that motivates them to show up to work day after day.
Guevarra, who is officially the longest serving employee (having started in February 2006) is somewhat of a utility player, having been a hotel staff, cashier, reservationist, and purchasing staff over the decades.
“As long as I can help the company, I try,” she says with a laugh.
Having been with Himawari at its grassroots level, she saw it when it still wasn’t the success it is today.
“There’s a very big difference [between] then and now,” she said.
At that time, when business was just starting, she and other employees would ask themselves if they were going to survive. The sales numbers were not that good and the store was not always busy.
“Sometimes in one day we’ll have 10 customers,” she said.
But the initial obstacles only encouraged Himawari to focus on service, according to Guevarra.
She said Himawari worked to offer sushi and Japanese-style bread at prices that were more affordable compared to other Japanese restaurants. They had to “advertise through customers,” Guevarra said, relying on word-of-mouth positive reviews to bolster walk-ins.
“We’re really thankful for loyal customers because they brought others,” Guevara said. “The years went by and Himawari got popular. Customers said we were affordable and tasty.”
When asked to pick a favorite snack from Himawari, Guevarra reaches for a fried manjo or an pan.
Like Guevarra, Cornista, who has also been with Himawari since early 2006, has been an “all around” team player in that she works in the office doing administrative duties, but has also helped take sushi orders. These days, she helps with accounting.
Since then, Cornista has grown alongside the people she’s worked with.
“It’s a family,” she said. “We’re working like a family.”
In the bakery, Cornista is a fan of Himawari’s milky donuts.
Noguchi agrees with his coworkers that Himawari is easy to stay loyal to because of the family environment.
He has been a manager since the store opened its doors. He’s particularly grateful to serve the community.
“I’m happy to work here. Many customers come, and some customer say thank you to us,” he said. “If I can work here for 20 more years, I will, but I’m already in my 50s.”
Noguchi says his favorite Himawari bread is the cream cheese loaf.
Himawari’s longest serving employees have all been with the company since 2006. From left, Mary Rose Guevarra, Keisuke Noguchi, and Anita Cornista.
From left, Anita Cornista, Keisuke Noguchi, and Mary Rose Guevarra.
