Being a Woman Entrepreneur in Japan

Entrepreneurship can come with many challenges, especially as women who continue to face adversities in the world of business. Though this is a global challenge, women in Japan are especially hindered by the gender gap present in the workplace. Despite being a country known for its progressive innovations and technological advancements, Japan placed 120th in World Economic Forum’s ‘The Global Gender Gap Report 2021’, 10 ranks down from 2019, speculated as the result of COVID-19. Despite the setbacks, female entrepreneurship has begun growing at a rapid rate in the past few years, especially in Japan.

The largest issue that seems to be present in pursuing female entrepreneurship in Japan is the lack of mentorship and networking opportunities that women are able to participate in. Aside from the business world globally being catered towards men, women in Japan are entrusted with the responsibility of childcare, domestic chores, and nursing their elderly parents. The result of these three factors creates a challenging environment for women in Japan to pursue entrepreneurship. During an interview with Japan Times, Mizuki Nakajima, CEO of coly Inc. explained how “Female entrepreneurs face hurdles as there are few female seniors whom they can consult about starting and operating businesses”. In order to combat this issue, many successful female CEOs have started up organizations and communities in order to provide mentorship and guidance to upcoming female entrepreneurs.

Women in Law Japan (WILJ), an example of one of these organizations, is a platform for women in legal professions to network in Japan. The importance of networking and building connections is shared with the president of WILJ, Catherine O’Connell, whom we’ve had the opportunity to interview in the past. Aside from starting Japan’s first lawyer-led legal podcast program, she also started her own boutique law firm in Tokyo, winning an Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020. When asked for advice to share with kay me readers, O’Connell shared her three tips all centered around the most crucial aspect -networking. These three tips covered the value of every connection, the importance of maintaining connections without burning bridges, and stepping out of your comfort zone especially in the introductory stage.

Click here read about Catherine’s professional background as well as tips and tricks on networking:

Meet Catherine O’Connell, the “Lawpreneur” empowering women in law – Part 1

So where do you start with becoming an entrepreneur and networking in Japan? The first step is to dress for success and attend networking opportunities and events! As Catherine shares in the second part of the interview, dressing for work, especially in Japan, is a “mark of respect not only to ourselves but to the person we are meeting with or the event we are attending”. She even shared with us how in true, respectful fashion she makes sure to dress professionally from head to toe even during online video meetings even if the person on the other end cannot see the full outfit. 

Investing in a classic jacket and a matching skirt or trousers can create a number of looks that can be used for multiple networking events, whether in person or online. When networking in Japan, we recommend soft, timeless colors such as navy, beige, and gray. The kay me Double Jersey Beige Tailored Jacket pairs perfectly with its matching Wrap Skirt to create an effortless suit set. Dare to be a bit bold by wearing a patterned top inside the suit, or aim for a chic look with a solid colored blouse accented with colored accessories for a vibrant pop. As per Catherine’s advice on dressing for online meetings, no need to worry about comfort or wrinkles when seated in your kay me suit as all of our items are stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, and easy care!

To read more tips from Catherine on how to dress, and for an exciting glimpse into her personal life:

Meet Catherine O’Connell, the “Lawpreneur” empowering women in law – Part 2

How Working Women are Overcoming The Great Resignation

As we reach the second year mark of the initial impact of COVID-19, a global awakening, nicknamed ‘The Great Resignation’, has swept through the entire world in just these past few months. Millions have voluntarily quit their jobs in midst of the pandemic in hopes of better opportunities and fair work environments. This has quickly forced many companies to revise hourly wages, benefits, and other perks in order to attract potential employees. 

The demand of remote work

One ‘perk’ that many companies have made part of their working norm is remote working. First introduced in the beginning of the pandemic, many businesses temporarily closed their offices and shifted to the digital realm where employees quickly adjusted to the new work culture from the comfort of their homes. This new work style has become so important that according to Grow, “more than 1 in 5, 22%, said they would no longer consider working for an employer if work-from-home wasn’t an option”. This had a great impact on society and trends, especially fashion, where comfort became the priority of any everyday outfit. Many parted with their slacks and blazers and began dressing more casual in luxury ‘loungewear’, which according to Google Trends skyrocketed in searches by about 70% within April-December 2020 during the peak of the pandemic.

For days reserved for remote working, we recommend our Relax Wide Trousers, made especially with softness and comfort in mind. Pair it with any of our hoodies, made from the same Double Knit material, for optimum comfort and productivity! Although comfortable and soft as a cloud, these items have been designed and crafted to give the body gorgeous shape and dimension.

New meets old – hybrid working style

For the past two years, remote working has allowed women to balance and take control of their work life as well as their personal and family life. However, with many companies slowly beginning to open their office doors the work style that we have grown accustomed to has begun to morph once again, this time in the form of a ‘hybrid’ style. As employers observed the many benefits that came with remote working, companies have adopted the hybrid remote work style where employees have the freedom to choose days to work from home and at the office. According to a survey conducted by theSkimms, “two-thirds of millennial women say they believe they are missing opportunities by not being in the office, where they can discuss their career goals and development.” By implementing the hybrid work style, women will be able to be able to take control of their work and personal life and craft it to fit their needs.

So what will you wear to your first day back into the office? Nothing says you are naturally confident and ready to take on the new modern age like a pantsuit in pink! Equipped with shoulder pads, clean tailored lines and a silhouette designed to make you look taller, the perfect femme-chic suit should not only be empowering to wear but comfortable too – even for the home office. With stretch, machine washability and wrinkle resistance to make lives easier, it’s a no-brainer we want these always in our suits (and our suits are no exception).

Made from stretchy Double Cross material

See our Pantsuit range here

The pursuit of entrepreneurship

With many businesses opening their doors once again and having employees come into work, mothers and many women with special circumstances who cannot leave their homes, have begun considering different career options that allow them more flexibility, one of them being entrepreneurship. According to Legaljobs, “47% of women started a business in the last year, compared to 44% of men”. By pursuing entrepreneurship, many women have regained control of their schedule and work-life balance, being able to fully indulge in their career without the responsibility or pressure of coming into the office and worrying about their children being cared for.

For our entrepreneurs who are ready to take on the world, we recommend our sleek, Kanazawa Peplum Knit Jacket to polish off the look for quick meetings, whether online or in person, without compromising comfort. Made from soft, luxurious and sustainable TENCEL™ material, it’s not only beautiful on the body, but kind to the planet. Choose from black or white to mix and match easily with your wardrobe! All kay me clothing items even our knitwear are of course machine-wash safe to ensure more freedom for your work and personal life without having to worry about visiting the dry cleaners!

Clean and crisp in white

Versatile for any business scene

Everything at kay me is lovingly made in Japan, with free worldwide delivery. For more lifestyle solutions, visit our online store today.

Three Inspiring Advice for Entrepreneur Women in 2022

2021 is quickly coming to an end and here at kay me we’ve taken time to reflect on a few of our most cherished memories of this year. As our team grew with every new store opening, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a special collection, as well as many exciting events! Among these were our Exclusive Interviews, hosted by kay me founder Junko Kemi, where we met esteemed guests in the top of their fields in Japan to share their experience and wisdom with us. Here is a recap of our first three remarkable guests who graced us with their abundant knowledge and tips for blossoming female entrepreneurs!

The path to leadership with Ms. Natsumi Akita, Marketing VP of Adobe Japan

On our very first episode, we welcomed our guest Ms. Natsumi Akita, Marketing Vice President of Adobe Japan. Before Adobe, she extended her marketing chops in both the U.S. and Japan (from the likes of Master Card, Citi, HSBC to name a few), handling large-scale global teams. According to Ms. Akita, for ambitious individuals chasing the top, the first step to becoming a leader is to simply envision yourself in that position:

“It’s important to hold an image of how you want to be seen, and planning steps on how to become that version of yourself. If it’s a leadership role you are envisioning, you need to take a step back to see what parts you are missing and slowly take your time to obtain those missing elements.”

From there on with time and experience, you mold into the shoes that you create for yourself.

From large-scale global team management, dealing with cultural differences to male-dominated environments and maintaining leadership, and advancing to the global stage, Ms. Akita shares her seasoned advice in wealth in our exclusive interview below:

See Ms. Akita’s Interview:

Part 1: How Ms. Akita was introduced to marketing, the different work environments of the west and east coast of America and how to play an active role in the global environment

Part 2: How to lead a large-scale team, how to shine through a male-dominated environment and the importance of ‘positive self-evaluation’

Part 3: Your personal branding, how to carry yourself in the business scene through clothing and Ms. Akita’s future goals

Weathering the economic storm with Ms. Sakie Akiyama, founder of Saki Corporation Ltd.

Our next remarkable woman we spoke to is founder of Saki Corporation Ltd., Ms. Sakie Akiyama. Pursuing the path of entrepreneurship in the industrial machinery sector, she has had her fair share of tough times and knows the importance of turning a bad situation into a chance for opportunity – something she has done for the past 25 years to keep her company running.

With the impact of COVID-19, many businesses have exhausted their resources, including their optimism and spirit. Similarly during Ms. Akiyama’s company presidency, she led her entire team through the devastating Lehman Shock of 2008 and not only recovered company earnings, but brought it to a steady increase just simply through a change in mindset. She recalled her toughest memory of the Lehman Shock:  

“During that experience, the least I could do as an entrepreneur and a company president was to look at the situation through numbers. I used this to communicate with my employees for them to understand the situation, and… brainstorm what steps needed to be taken to alleviate it. In order to do this I had to truly believe in what I was going to tell them and to make my mind up prior in order to truly convince them with my words and to win their trust over… I learned quickly how important being able to convey your thoughts is.“

That’s when Ms. Akiyama adopted a new approach and what she recommends to those facing adversity and struggling to regain composure: imagine yourself in the worst-case-scenario and realize that it is not so bad. Stepping back to imagine herself in the worst case, where she sat in a dim-lit dingy room, eating a simple bowl of eggs over rice across her husband, she accepted she would be OK even at “rock bottom”. With this new positive outlook and no longer overcome with negativity, it was easier to concentrate on work and for Ms. Akiyama, a turning point both in her life and business from there on.

Check out her story and advice for women seeking global advancement below:

Ms. Akiyama’s Interview:

Part 1: The necessary ‘courage’ of an entrepreneur and the most memorable and toughest moment of her 25-year company presidency

Part 2: The mindset of ‘turning something bad into something good’, how to advance globally and what women in the business world must match out for

Part 3: The transition of career and fashion and how clothing should stay true to you

Finding your drive with Ms. Miwa Koyasu, founder of Will Lab Co. Ltd.

Finally we spoke to Ms. Miwa Koyasu, founder of Will Lab Co. Ltd., a company working to promote women with career opportunities, mentorship and development especially in the rural areas of Japan. Founded around the principle of ‘Will’, a term she uses to describe your ideal version of yourself, she walked us through ‘Will’, ‘Can’ (what you can do), and ‘Must’ (what you must do), three key features of drive that allows one to complete tasks and reach goals and explains why any entrepreneur needs to find their ‘Will’:

“There’s a lot to do, a lot of ‘Can’. They possessed skills and knowledge but no ‘Will’, which caused people to become lost, especially in their careers.

Of course I knew the importance of ‘Can’. It’s important to have skills to be able to complete the tasks at hand. But those who had skills but no ‘Will’, from my observation, did not grow as quickly as those who possessed ‘Will’. Although it is important to be able to complete given tasks, without ‘Will’, people lack the drive to push forward, which is key for any entrepreneur who is planning on starting up their own business.“

Pursuing who you want to be and how to find your ambition utilizing ‘will’, to exercising self-reflection, Ms. Koyasu shares her advice she imparts at her very own company in our exclusive interview:

See Ms. Koyasu’s Interview:

Part 1: Transitioning from journalist, Recruit Group operating officer to independence; working towards the ideal version of yourself and the importance of ‘Will’

Part 2: How to Find Your ‘Will’ and awaken ambition with self-reflection

Part 3: The power of self-expression through color and clothing and her visions for the future

With each interview we felt more motivated and inspired by these powerful women who shared their incredible journeys with us, both in their professional and personal lives! With more stories and advice from remarkable women coming up, visit our Youtube channel and subscribe to stay tuned for future interviews coming in 2022!

Meet Connie Sui Fung, Working mother and entrepreneur from Malaysia helping women look and feel their best – Part 2

We sat down with Connie Sui Fung, image consultant, business owner and working mother to learn more about her story in Japan. In part one, we looked into her journey starting up her Color Me Tokyo business, from her challenges to advice and glimpsed into the origins that drove her to where she is today. For part two, we take a glimpse into the other side and learn what goes behind the scenes in a day of this busy working mother.

You are a busy mother of three! How is it like raising children in Japan?

It was not easy when they were young. In Japan, the mother is supposed to do everything herself, but I got lucky! My husband and parents-in-law supported me most of the time, which I am grateful for.

My Japanese was not good when I first came here, but my kindergarten mom’s friends helped me a lot. They shared information on child-rearing in Japan and they always made me feel at home. I really appreciated that.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Depends on which day. I usually work from 10am to 3pm.

Like yesterday, I made breakfast for my kids and got myself ready. After my girls left home for school, I did some quick housework before meeting my client at 10am. Then I had lunch with my husband at neighborhood restaurant. 
After that I worked on Color Me Tokyo homepage. Since I created the website, I manage it myself. 

Then, I dropped off my youngest girl to swimming school and I prepared dinner. After dinner, I dropped off my Junior High school girl to cram school and did the laundry. And finally, I prepared for a business meeting today before going to bed.

What do you need out of clothing to meet your current lifestyle as an image consultant, business owner and mother? Any rules that you set for your style?

As a mother I need to run after my children and take them from here to there and have to meet clients on the same day, so I want clothing that is easy to wear and comfortable, yet I do not need to change out of …. I call it a multi-purpose dress, functional dress or an all-in-one dress. If I travel, the last thing I want to be concerned about is having wrinkled items when we take family photos and I need to get ready quickly in the early morning, so wrinkle-resistant clothing is important for me.

Trying kay me for the first time, what are your impressions of the items?

The kay me dresses are the perfect fit for my preferences and lifestyle. I am a ‘Made in Japan’ fan and I prefer having machine-washable items. Most importantly, I need comfortable, functional, all-in-one dresses to wear from day to night. For example, with the Aqua Dot Marilyn Dress, I can wear it with sandals for the weekend or on a casual outing with my kids. If I throw a bolero on – for work. With high heels on – when I am on a date night with my husband. I like the softness, stretchiness and comfortable feel of the material, and it has side pocket! This is well-designed. There was time I wore the wrong dress, and my day was haywire. When I wear the right dress, I feel my day is fully accomplished. This dress is very ME. Somehow this dress also reminded me of one of Duchess Catherine’s dresses – I feel very elegant in it!

Where do you find inspiration nowadays?

I am in my mid-40’s now, I always want to prepare myself on how I look and be in 5 to 10 years from now.  I do research and read magazines aimed at women in their 50’s or 60’s like Eclat Magazine for style inspiration, or I would search from Pinterest with keywords such as “fashion for women over 50”.

What is your recommended spots to enjoy your family time in Tokyo?

The hotel buffet and musical theater.

They both sound like fun! We would love to know the hotel buffet you recommend and the musical you last watched.

Since Covid-19, we haven’t gone out for a buffet dinner, but we went to the same Grilled Eel restaurant Izumoya several times as we could get a private room. My kids like the taste of grilled eel there. The best Unagi in town.

The last musical we went was The Phantom of The Opera. I loved the live orchestra; it was the perfect combination with live stage musical performance. It was wonderful and lively. My kids liked the Aladdin the best. My daughter said it is better than the movie! We are looking forward to the next one.

Connie wears our Aqua Dot Marilyn Dress, White Crew-neck Cardigan and White Two-way Business Bag around Hibiya.

Catch Connie’s career journey in starting up her own businesses in Tokyo in Part One.

Meet Connie Sui Fung, working mother and entrepreneur from Malaysia helping women look and feel their best – Part 1

At kay me, we are always inspired by the amazing achievements and examples set by ambitious individuals who stand up to the challenge. In this series, we chat to International female entrepreneurs who are paving their own paths and leading the way for others in Japan, and hear their stories, advice and perspectives starting up their success. Recently, we caught up with Connie, a mother of three, image consultant and entrepreneur who moved with her family to Japan, eventually starting her own businesses in her 40’s. With little experience in business to start with, she worked her way to establish Color Me Tokyo, her own image consultant agency and now new ventures.

Tell us a little about your background

After I graduated from university in America, I worked for an American payment company as a Data Analyst in Singapore. There I met my husband, got married and had my first child We decided to move to Japan in year 2010, and a year after, my youngest child was born about a month before the Tohoku earthquake. I then started my own business after I turned 40 years old.

How did you start up Color Me Tokyo? What were the biggest challenges you faced starting up?

It was curiosity about how Japanese ladies look fresh and beautiful which turned into a business idea. I went to learn about the beauty culture and etiquette here and how to improve one’s appearance like how many Japanese people in society do. I saw the change myself. From there, I decided to make it my career.

I started the Image consulting salon right after I finished the course as a freelancer. I enjoyed doing the salon business setup, networking, and everything!  Being a newbie in Image consulting and the biggest challenge is customer acquisition.

Any style advice for our readers?

Love yourself.  Once you love yourself, you will care to know more about your style. Sorry back to the style. I would say, style is about balance. Know your face and body proportion. Knowing that, you will know what kind of color, clothing, jewelry, hairstyle, and makeup style is right for you. For example, I have rounded face shape.  I will not put on the round hoop earrings; I will choose something dangle or long to elongate my face.

My facial parts/features are not big, but I know clothing with large prints is not ideal for me.  And then I have my own uniform for work, girlfriend outing and family time.

“Talk to friends or any one you know about your ideas. You may never know; they may be your big investors. “

Could you share with us your experience with networking in Japan? How has that led you to where you are today?

I got distracted from my goals at times, so then I would attend networking sessions once a week, which helped me realign my focus, my goals and purpose. Being surrounded by like-minded ambitious people was a great reminder for me and I even met my current mentor there, who I turn to for advice even today.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start up their own business?

Talk to friends or any one you know about your ideas. You may never know; they may be your big investors.  Do not sit back and let life happen to you. Just get out of your comfort zone and try it. One other thing is you must enjoy the process. If you do not, then that may be not ideal for you, but never give up on the big picture.

Do you have a role model you look up to?

My mother and my sisters of course. My mother is very energetic. She taught me the mother’s role is just like the pillar of the house and making a good balance between business and family matters is key. As for my sisters, I respect my eldest sister business management style. She manages family businesses very efficiently. Then my younger sister is the true entrepreneur. She started her business from scratch. Now she has successfully made her clients look more luxurious with her jewelry.

In Japan, I admire many female entrepreneurs who are shaping the world around us and making a difference. I read your founder, Junko’s story and I admire her innovation.

Connie wears our Fresh Lime Daily Dress, Champagne Pink 29 Pocket Wallet Bag and Coral Pink Vegan Suede Puni Puni Pumps at our Ginza store.

See Part 2 coming up for more on what goes behind the day of Connie Sui Fung.