Welcome to “Everyone’s Programming by Telulu LLC” (Minpro)
Thank you for visiting our website. I’m the founder of Minpro, and I have a somewhat unconventional background. After working for a major financial institution for 15 years, I left in my early 40s to become a stay-at-home dad. Now, I’m an entrepreneur in the field of programming, which might seem like a big change from the world of finance.
I know this is a bit long, but if you have the time, I would appreciate it if you could read the following to get a better sense of who I am and whether you think we would be a good fit. (This is important!) If you do, I encourage you to explore our services further.
Trapped in a Stifling Corporate Culture After “Shin Godzilla”
Entering the corporate world in April 2000, I joined a renowned financial institution. Initially, I navigated the gap between my college expectations and reality, leading a fulfilling corporate life. Back then, the thought of entrepreneurship never crossed my mind. Instead, I aspired to attain an ideal position within the company.
However, in my fourth year, an event ignited my entrepreneurial spirit: the infamous “Financial Services Agency Inspection” as depicted in “Hanzawa Naoki.” The inspection transformed the company’s atmosphere. Unlike today’s “dialogue-based” approach, it was a relentless “interrogation.” The once-arrogant executives trembled like “foxes without a tiger” under the harsh scrutiny, akin to a “Shin Godzilla” attack.
While this “Shin Godzilla” onslaught enhanced the company’s management system, the amplified “compliance” came with a significant side effect: an extreme aversion to risk under the guise of “compliance adherence.”
Unfortunately, my company fell victim to this trend. Under the slogan of “eradicating clerical errors,” they implemented an ultra-sterilizing regime that surpassed even Domestos, catching every speck of dust.
This “sterilization” did improve clerical quality. However, the once-encouraged exploration of new ideas was stifled under the banner of “compliance.”
Worse yet, colleagues turned against each other under the “zero clerical errors” mantra, engaging in a “beautiful cannibalism” where “sterilization” killed even friendly bacteria.
Despite living in a supposedly democratic nation, our workplace transformed into a bizarre, foreign-like environment reminiscent of a dictatorship.
For neat freaks, this was a paradise – a spotless environment. For them, such “sterilization” (management) was ideal.
But I’m not a neat freak. I didn’t need such extreme “sterilization.” I’d rather play outside, even if it meant getting a few scrapes.
Constant “sterilization” prevented me from venturing outdoors.
This growing sense of confinement made me question whether dedicating decades to this environment was truly fulfilling. I felt that a life dependent on this company would lead to my downfall. Young and spirited, I boldly concluded that I needed a change.
The logical solution was to quit and start my own venture.
But I lacked the courage. I was a classic “all talk, no action” individual.
This is where my story takes a turn.
Haunted by Conformity: The Erosion of Humanity in Late Twenties
I’m the epitome of a “golden rail” rider – the one who follows the prescribed path of “attending a prestigious university and landing a good job.”
To outsiders, this might seem like an enviable life trajectory. However, for me, it masked a deep-seated insecurity. I was clinging to “academic scores” and comparisons to others for my self-worth.
This inner weakness prevented me from considering “derailing” from the expected path. Lacking true self-confidence, I was hesitant to venture beyond the confines of my comfort zone.
So, I decided to focus on what I could do within the system. While I had previously only studied investing, I began exploring personal finance and life planning.
However, my goals at that time, fueled by youthful naivety, were far from profound. I envisioned becoming wealthy, indulging in luxuries, and permanently residing in Australia. While not inherently flawed, this mentality reflected my sole focus on personal gain and “winning” in life.
Despite harboring these ambitions, I lacked the courage to step outside and take action. Thus, I remained trapped in my corporate job, feeling increasingly stifled and dissatisfied.
During this period, I faced numerous personal and professional challenges. While these experiences are too complex to fully describe here, suffice to say that this was the most turbulent phase of my life.
My inability to be honest with myself led to a gradual erosion of my integrity. By my late twenties, I had become a truly unpleasant person, both personally and professionally.
A “Premium Chicken” in America: A 30s Hell Without English
Amidst my turbulent life, a miracle occurred – I got married and had a child.
My parents, who had always believed I was too eccentric to find a partner, were as surprised as I was. Of course, marriage isn’t a necessity, and whether or not it aligns with one’s life path is a personal decision. I believe we’re moving towards a “bonobo” society where marriage and parenthood aren’t inherently linked.
However, the fact that someone, even my parents who deemed me an “oddity,” showed interest in me was nothing short of miraculous.
Another twist of fate came in the spring of 2009 when I was assigned to a partner company in the United States.
English? Not a word.
After seven years in my previous department, I had grown a bit arrogant. Perhaps my superiors thought a stint in the US would humble me, or maybe it was just a corporate chess move. Whatever the reason, this assignment turned into a heaven-to-hell experience.
Imagine going to work in the US without a single word of English. It wasn’t a vacation; it was a job. And I had no prior experience in the field. To top it off, I was in an environment with very few Japanese people.
Sure, someone with a strong mental fortitude might have handled it just fine. But I’m a “chicken” – not just any chicken, but a “premium chicken.” And my “chicken” level was off the charts.
So, I plunged into my personal hell. It was probably the most challenging period of my life.
My “premium chicken” personality + my inability to adapt to the peculiar American culture = a “super homesickness formula” that made me yearn for Japan. I can’t even count the number of times I wished I could be back home.
From “Chicken in Hell” to “Frozen Epiphany”: A Mid-30s Value Transformation
While my “premium chicken” status made my US experience a living hell, it wasn’t all bad. In fact, I’m grateful for this “hell” experience.
It was here that I conquered my biggest complex, English (though I’ve forgotten most of it by now). More importantly, I learned the crucial value of humility beyond language skills. As the saying goes, “What is meant to be will be.” This was when I began to understand the significance of life’s events.
My two years in the US marked a pivotal turning point in my value system. With less work pressure than in Japan, I had time for introspection.
I had always neglected my inner growth and human potential, focusing solely on “how to live” in the conventional sense. When I entered the financial world, my late grandfather, a spiritual researcher, advised me to “stay grounded and work diligently” and “contribute to society and others.” But young and cocky, I dismissed his wisdom, believing, “What’s wrong with making money and becoming a ‘winner’?”
I completely ignored the “Chishi” (a monthly magazine on human studies) and letters on life guidance he sent me.
However, my “baptism of fire” in the US jolted me awake. In my early 30s, I finally started paying attention to “living” and the importance of the “heart.”
Living in Boston, a city surrounded by breathtaking nature, made me question my previous values.
“Is it really okay to live lavishly in the city, chasing money?” I wondered.
My children played a significant role in this value shift. Before they were born, I found parenthood a burden. But interacting with them, I developed an unexpected attachment.
I often adopt a cynical perspective, distancing myself from “love” and “affection.” To protect myself, I projected an unapproachable aura.
But children are incredible. They broke through my barriers, literally crawling into my lap.
And just like in the “Frozen” finale, my emotional barriers melted away. My children reminded me of the pure feeling of “love” I had long forgotten since my exam-focused teenage years.
In Japanese, “love” carries a slightly romantic connotation. “Compassion” or “benevolence” might be closer in meaning.
This was the greatest gift my “hellish” yet time-rich US experience bestowed upon me – an experience unavailable in my hectic Japanese life.
Sadly, this blissful time couldn’t last.
“Post-Elsa, the Derailed 30s: Stress, Family Crisis, and a Leap Off the Rails
Back in Japan two years later, my demanding job left me with only weekends to see my children, a stark contrast to my pre-US days.
My former self would have remained unaffected, immersed in work as usual. But my “Frozen” epiphany in the US had awakened me to “love.” The old Elsa was gone.
I yearned to live “authentically.” This new reality was unbearable. Was this the life I was meant to live, for myself and my family?
“Authenticity” had turned into “mere working ant,” triggering doubts.
With three rambunctious kids, and both my wife and I from Kansai, our work in Kanto meant no parental support. My wife was left single-handedly managing our “three little monsters.”
The outcome was inevitable.
My work-induced stress peaked, freezing my thawed heart once again. The old Elsa returned, incapable of warmth towards my family.
Our children, sensing our negative energy, intensified their “problem behaviors.”
The entire family spiraled into a real-life “Family Game” of negativity.
Changing our “environment” – returning to Kansai and quitting my job – meant derailing from the “rails.”
After over a decade of hesitation, I was forced to choose.
Family disintegration left no other option.
I was “pushed off” the rails, forced to “derail” to save my family.
This “plunge” was my “bungee jump” from “premium chicken” to “human,” shedding my “ant” and “bird” personas.
I willingly fell, losing my hard-earned social status and titles.
A blank slate, a “domestic” transformation beyond imagination.
And so, my “derailed life” began.
Early 40s: Confronting My Ugly Humanity as a ‘Househusband
My “plunge” into “humanity” following my family crisis meant prioritizing my newly enrolled child and overall family stability upon returning to my hometown Kansai.
Engrossed in rebuilding my family, I embraced a “househusband” lifestyle. While a future return to society was possible, “entrepreneurship” was far from my mind.
Ironically, this “derailment” granted me the daily time I had always craved with my children.
Honestly, this “househusband” life wasn’t so bad for a weary soul like me.
However, it also presented a profound and fundamental challenge.
Becoming “human” was one thing, but lacking the “strength” to be one was another.
I was devoid of the “human strength” essential for a fulfilling life.
This harsh reality forced me to confront the ugly truth of my “human strengthlessness” at nearly 40.
“Parenting,” despite its literal meaning of “raising a child,” is a reciprocal “two-way growth” for both parent and child.
Through interactions with children, we as parents also learn and grow. Their innocent actions remind us of the simple, kind ways we lost along the way.
Moreover, children are indifferent to “social status” or “titles.”
With them, it’s all about “humanity.”
My “househusband” routine, filled with daily interactions with my children, brutally exposed my flawed “humanity.”
Stripped of the “title” of a big financial institution manager, my true self emerged:
Short-tempered, jealous, stingy, and inconsiderate – a true “zero in human strength.”
Working in a corporate environment can lead to the misconception that “social status” and “titles” equal “character.”
It’s like equating “entrance exam scores” or “university attended” to one’s character.
For nearly 30 years, since high school entrance exams, I had been immersed in the “survival of the fittest” mentality of “competition.”
In this environment, I had completely forgotten about the “cooperation” principles of “serving others,” “helping those in need,” and “working together.”
In reality, “cooperation” is far more crucial in life than “competition.”
But I had been swept away by my circumstances, making a grave “mistake.”
My “humanity” had been plummeting in inverse proportion to my social status.
This “inconvenient truth” was only revealed to me once I became “blank slate” at 40.
And it was all thanks to my children.
I needed to start over as a person.
With the help of my family, I had to embark on a journey of “reliving” by rebuilding the “human strength” I should have acquired long ago.
Mid-40s Man Embraces Programming: ‘Rails’ Gone, Passions Activated
A year has passed since my life took an unexpected turn, and I’ve found myself with more time and stability. My family has recovered, and I’m ready to re-enter society.
For years, my goal was to become financially successful and achieve personal wealth. However, having a family and engaging with my children has shifted my perspective, making that goal no longer relevant.
I now aspire to make a positive impact on the world.
Nearly two decades after my grandfather’s guidance, I’m finally able to fully embrace his words. This transformation would not have been possible without my experiences in the US and the family crisis. It was a change I could never have initiated on my own.
Despite my newfound passion, I’m still the timid “premium chicken” I’ve always been. Having found a dream and a goal, I lack the courage to venture off the “rails” and pursue them.
But I’ve already derailed. The “rails” of a good education and a good job are unforgiving; once you stray, there’s no going back.
So, I’m in a situation where I have no choice but to start something new on my own.
And that’s why, at 40, I’ve embarked on learning programming.
As they say, “every cloud has a silver lining.” Perhaps this “crisis” was meant to happen.
Mid-40s Leap: Embracing Programming, Defying Norms, and Honoring Confucius
Venturing into programming at 40, a field far removed from his past career, might seem like a crazy idea.
Sure, failure is a possibility, even likely. But this mid-40s man, accustomed to self-suppression, was determined to take a risk and pursue his passion.
Despite his past in finance, he knew a return was not in the cards. He had discovered his true calling lay elsewhere, in self-driven ventures.
While he had always been confined to the “rails” set by others, he realized that overcoming his inner limitations required self-determined action.
This pursuit of his passion was not just for himself but also to inspire his children to break free from societal norms and pursue their own paths.
The idea of “starting a business” at his age might seem unconventional, even contradictory to Confucius’s famous adage about finding stability by 40.
However, the true meaning of “not being swayed by doubt” lies in embracing rational thinking and unfettered exploration, even in one’s forties.
Inspired by this interpretation, he defied expectations and embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, transforming from a “premium chicken” into a fearless risk-taker.
The path to mastering programming at 40 was far from easy, but his unwavering determination paved the way for success.
This journey proved that “thoughts become reality,” a concept often dismissed as dubious.
Enriching Lives and Shaping a Brighter Future Through Programming
Inspired by the desire to brighten people’s lives and foster a hopeful future, I established Telulu LLC, a company named after my youngest child.
While the name may seem straightforward, it embodies my deep-rooted aspiration to “illuminate” people’s hearts and instill hope for a brighter tomorrow.
In today’s world, it’s not just about the “results”; it’s about the “process” that leads to those results. At Telulu, we believe in creating a positive impact through our services, ensuring that our customers not only achieve their goals but also experience joy and fulfillment along the way.
Programming, in my view, goes beyond acquiring job-ready skills or developing logical thinking. It’s about fostering a spirit of collaboration, empathy, and creativity. It’s about nurturing a growth mindset and unlocking an individual’s potential.
I understand the challenges associated with learning programming, especially for beginners. Having faced these hurdles myself, I am passionate about making the process more accessible and enjoyable.
My goal is to empower individuals with zero programming experience to create their own smartphone apps within three months, instilling in them a sense of accomplishment and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing world.
I believe that by empowering individuals, we can collectively dispel the prevailing sense of stagnation and create a more vibrant and fulfilling society.
This is the driving force behind Telulu’s programming courses. Through these courses, we aim to enrich lives, foster hope, and contribute to the realization of a brighter future.
With unwavering dedication and a commitment to continuous improvement, I am determined to make Telulu a beacon of positive transformation.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Hiroyuki Kitagawa
CEO, Telulu LLC
May 2018
Profile
Born and raised in Osaka, Japan, Hiroyuki has a diverse professional background spanning over two decades in the financial and technology industries. With a strong foundation in Japanese stock trading, investment analysis, and business planning, Hiroyuki has held positions at leading life insurance and asset management companies.
In 2016, Hiroyuki founded Telulu LLC, a mobile app development company. Driven by a passion for leveraging technology to enhance mental well-being and cognitive development, Hiroyuki spearheaded the creation of four popular apps, including “GAMBO: Wish Fulfillment Support App,” “Meiso: The Simplest Mindfulness Meditation App,” etc.
Inspired by personal experiences as a working professional, programmer, and parent, Hiroyuki launched the programming education cources called “Minpro (Programming for Everyone)” in 2017. This initiative provides programming support and psychological counseling to help individuals overcome programming hurdles and achieve their goals. To date, the project has successfully assisted over 3,000 individuals.
For more information about Hiroyuki’s profile, please visit:
To learn more about Telulu LLC, the company behind the “Minpro Method,” please visit: