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John Yokoyama

Former Owner of World-Famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle

John Yokoyama
Travels From Travels From:
Seattle, WA, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000
Virtual Event: Please Contact
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Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Business, Business Leadership, Corporate Culture, Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing, Retail, Sales
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John Yokoyama Biography

John Yokoyama is the former owner of Pike Place Fish who, with the help of his employees and consultant, led the market from bankruptcy to world fame. The Pike Place Fish Market was purchased in 1965 by Yokoyama, a former employee of the fish market, who bought the store to make enough money on an owner's salary to afford the car payments on his new Buick Riviera. After nearing bankruptcy in 1986, the fish market owner and employees decided to become "world famous," changing their way of doing business by introducing their flying fish routine, games and customer performances. Four years later, they were featured repeatedly in the national media and television shows. The store is now a popular tourist destination in Seattle, attracting up to 10,000 daily visitors, and is often billed as world-famous.

The antics of the fish-flinging staff have become the highlight of the Pike Place Market, and have been featured in Spike Lee’s Levi commercial, on NBC’s "Frasier," MTV’s "Real World," and ABC’s "Good Morning America." The "low-flying fish" have been captured on film and immortalized in print by filmmakers and journalists from all over the world. In 1996, Charthouse Educational Corporation produced two award winning corporate training films, Fish and Fish Sticks. These two videos document the amazing culture of Pike Place Fish and have become the best selling corporate training videos in the world. In a CNN Special Report on January 26, 2001, CNN identified the three most fun places to work in the United States.

In 2018, Yokoyama sold Pike Place Fish to his employees, and began a new venture. Yokoyama, along with his coach and consultant, Jim Bergquist from BizFutures Consulting Company, has formed a new company, Flying Fish Productions. The Team now travels to company conventions and special events where Yokoyama and "The Fishmongers" are accompanied by a BizFutures Consultant to deliver their Fish Wisdom in a way that is fun, educational and inspiring.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/02/2024.

John Yokoyama Speaking Topics

  • A TOPIC SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR YOU

    You allow us to interview three or four appropriate people from your group to determine what topic would make the most difference for your organization, and we'll do that!

    These are all high energy/high impact presentations that are fun, educational and designed to leave people inspired and engaged.

  • MAKE THEIR DAY: Service With An Attitude

    Most organizations know that their relevance and indeed their very existence can depend on the quality of service they provide for their customers (both external and internal). In this topic the Fish Folks show what it takes to deliver service that actually impacts the quality of someone's life.

  • TEAM BUILDING: FROM MANAGING TO COACHING

    In this topic we address the kind of creativity and productivity that's possible when managers transform themselves into coaches . . . coaches who are out to enhance their player's performance and build great teams. We show people how to get started being coaches.

  • BEING THERE: Creating the Condition for REAL Communication

    We've discovered that most people don't listen…and think they do. In this segment we explore the kind of awareness that's required to listen to people powerfully.

  • CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE: Loving What You Do - Doing What You Love

    Taking a look at the importance of having a powerful vision and what it takes to create a work environment that empowers people to be great at what they do • and love doing it.

John Yokoyama Videos

  • Longtime owner John Yokoyama decided to sell his legendary business
    Longtime owner John Yokoyama decided to sell his legendary business
    The new owners of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market are four of its famous fishmongers
  • Leadership: Nature or Nurture
    Leadership: Nature or Nurture
    Some of the world's most effective leaders have also been the greatest destroyers of life, societies and wealth. And yet another person with similar...
See All Videos »

John Yokoyama Books

  • When Fish Fly: Lessons for Creating a Vital and Energized Workplace from the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market
    When Fish Fly: Lessons for Creating a Vital and Energized Workplace from the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market

FAQs on booking John Yokoyama

  • How do I book John Yokoyama to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like John Yokoyama for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for John Yokoyama, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for John Yokoyama or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for John Yokoyama

    Speaking fees for John Yokoyama, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John Yokoyama are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John Yokoyama, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does John Yokoyama speak about?

    John Yokoyama is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business, Business Leadership, Corporate Culture, Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing, Retail, Sales.

  • Where does John Yokoyama travel from?

    John Yokoyama generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is John Yokoyama’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like John Yokoyama for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book John Yokoyama for your next private or corporate function.

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John Yokoyama is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as A TOPIC SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR YOU , MAKE THEIR DAY: Service With An Attitude, TEAM BUILDING: FROM MANAGING TO COACHING, BEING THERE: Creating the Condition for REAL Communication and CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE: Loving What You Do - Doing What You Love. The estimated speaking fee range to book John Yokoyama for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. John Yokoyama generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, R "Ray" Wang, Robert Spector, Jim McCann and Mike Hourigan. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John Yokoyama for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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