By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | May 27, 2025

Allyn Wall’s journey from the U.S. mainland to Japan, and now Guam, is shaped by courage, culture, and community.

Wall left the United States with a dream — to teach abroad and serve military-connected students. That dream took her to Japan first, where she discovered a society built on discipline, precision, and deep respect. “Japan taught me how to move with intention,” she said. Learning the language and embracing the culture helped her thrive both professionally and personally.

In Japan, she quickly learned that the workplace was structured and hierarchical. Meetings followed a strict rhythm. Silence carried weight. “You have to read the room,” she said, “and adjust without losing yourself.”

After Japan, Wall moved to Guam. Though still a U.S. territory, Guam has a rhythm of its own. The pace is slower. People focus more on relationships than rigid rules. It was the perfect place for Wall to continue her global mission while pivoting her business, Digital Glo Consulting. “Guam gave me breathing room to grow,” she said.

Each place brought new lessons. In Japan, she built connections through consistency and respect. In Guam, she found community through service and presence. “You earn your place in Guam,” she explained. “It’s not automatic.”

Wall’s work across different cultures sharpened her adaptability, empathy, and relationship-building skills. She became a cultural bridge, connecting people and ideas across continents. Whether leading teams in Guam, consulting in the U.S., or expanding business ideas in Japan, Wall listens before she leads it is a way to always ensure that she respects the local way before taking the lead.

The professional worlds she’s lived in all differ. “Japan is exacting,” she said. “Guam is loyal and intimate. The U.S. mainland is fast and high-pressure.” But she carries pieces of each. “I balance structure with soul.”

Wall has also faced challenges. Language barriers in Japan. Resource limitations in Guam. But each obstacle made her stronger and more creative. “You learn to lead with heart and think on your feet,” she said.

Through it all, Wall stays focused on her long-term vision. She wants to expand globally, with Guam as her base, and future plans to grow into Ghana and other communities ready for innovation and digital transformation.

Her advice to others: “Respect the culture. Listen deeply. And always bring value.”

After years of navigating different systems, Wall knows her purpose. She helps people connect across borders, cultures, and industries. “Every day,” she said, “I’m constantly interpreting, comparing, translating the languages, and connecting dots between worlds.”

While Japan has seen an influx of foreign workers in recent years — growing its foreign resident population from 2.1 million in 2014 to 3.77 million by 2024 — Guam has experienced a gradual population decline. From 2010 to 2020, the island’s population fell by more than 5,500 residents. In 2023, the net migration rate was -10.9 per 1,000 people. Wall’s decision to grow her business and invest in Guam’s tight-knit community is a bold and meaningful commitment.

As an American, Wall was uniquely positioned to live and work in both places. Guam, a U.S. territory, allows Americans to move freely without a visa, and jobs are typical in military, education, and tourism. In contrast, Japan attracts Americans for teaching, IT, and business roles. But beyond the job titles, Wall found that what mattered most was how each place shaped her leadership — Japan taught her precision and discipline, while Guam nurtured community and creativity.

Wall’s social life has not suffered; to the contrary, she found circles of friends in the two different cities in Japan where she lived and the one city in Guam. She stated that because many of the friends made in Japan and Guam have since moved to other parts of the world, her friendships and potential business partnerships are truly global.

Her earnings are significantly higher than would be in mainland United States, but suggests that anyone considering moving, working and or living abroad do some thorough research.

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