Ciao! I'm Sarika

It was kind of scary for me to leave my Permanent Appointment with the United Nations.

I started a business based on my love for Japanese Sake. Some thought I was crazy! 

But I now have a business that gives me joy, with over 11,000 students around the world enrolled in my online courses, and a Sake-infused cosmetics, awarded the 2024 European Natural Beauty Awards - Influencers Choice of the Year, and more!

Recently, I’ve been contacted by a number of former colleagues and friends, who are exploring starting their own biz. It’s been so unexpectedly fun and rewarding, holding their hands! 

If you’re thinking about starting a biz and would like me to hold your hand, now is the time! If you’re stuck over something, I’d love to help. I’ll share with you what I’ve messed up, where I wished I had guidance, all while having fun in the process.

As I’m still refining things before pre-launch, it’s at the lowest price it will ever be.  I would love to help you explore and launch your venture!

Love, Sarika  

Founder, Sarika International Limited

UN Official turned Entrepreneur

Selected for the EU Women Entrepreneurs Fellowship + London School of Economics Female Founders

Lovely to meet you!

I'm a United Nations Official turned entrepreneur, on a mission to to share Joy through Japanese Sake & Face Yoga. I love to eat & drink! 

After living and working in 14 countries in 4 continents - Asia, Africa, Europe and North America - and starting a family, I founded my own company. What truly lights me up is connecting incredible people through my work, and I like to think that my superpower is bringing people together!

My entrepreneurial journey began during the pandemic, with a desire to share my love for our 2000-year-old Sake, a beautiful, but declining craft. I also founded a Sake-infused cosmetics brand, awarded the 2024 European Natural Beauty Awards. To this day, I'm also still in awe that over 11,000 students are enrolled in my online courses! Fortunately, I had the opportunity to be in the first cohort of the EU Women Entrepreneurs Fellowship and the London School of Economics Female Founders.

As my business grew, I felt called to reconnect with my soul’s mission - supporting and uplifting women. (My last UN posting was at the Women's Empowerment Section for Asia-Pacific, and I know how much work still remains to be done.)

My great-grandma, Chifu, was one of the earliest Japanese women to attend university, a hundred years ago, defying all odds. She even crowdsourced (!) to fund a solo 40-day boat journey to Europe, knowing her family would oppose the idea. She was ahead of her time in pursuing education and independence, at a time when Japanese women were expected to stay “in their place.” (In contrast, my paternal grandma had an arranged teenage marriage to my much older grandpa.)

Inspired by the women who went before me, and growing up experiencing gender stereotyping in Japan, my drive for positive social change—toward an inclusive, equal society—has always been a guiding force. It's the reason why I originally joined the UN because I wanted to change the world! 

At this half-way point in my life, I felt called to create a cozy space where I could bring together all my expertise from Face Yoga to Japanese Sake to women's empowerment - to uplift and empower others on their own journeys. 

Now, I’m thrilled to meet and connect with other visionary women like you. I created this Salon for meaningful connection, inspiration, and relaxation, because we all need a little fun downtime to achieve our big missions. (I bet my great-grandma would have loved to join us!)

I can’t wait to welcome you to the Zen & Sip Salon! You’re meant to be here💕

Love! Sarika