My History
At the age of 30, I became an independent lash artist in my hometown of Toyama Prefecture, managing salon operations and working as a trainer while raising my children. This journey inspired the creation of innovative products I felt were missing from the market, which led to the establishment of my original brand, YOURTORUN. Our concept is simple: "Products that meet real needs." To ensure our offerings genuinely resonate, I actively engaged with current lash artists to gather detailed feedback on their specific requirements. We focus on every aspect of our products—from the results to packaging design, texture, and fragrance—pursuing excellence without compromise. In 2023, we opened a salon in Ebisu, where we not only provide lash treatments but also offer YOURTORUN products. Through social media, we have attracted a diverse international audience, and I hope to inspire technicians from abroad to explore our offerings.
Our company has experienced steady growth since its establishment. I attribute this success to my decade-long commitment to nurturing the business through social media. While many manufacturers have rushed to increase their visibility through collaborations with other companies, I chose to focus on solidifying our brand’s foundation first.
In addition to beauty, I have utilized social media to discuss essential themes such as health and nutrition, which may have contributed to our brand development. I believe that those who perceive YOURTORUN as a "brand that embodies authenticity and supports women's beauty" are precisely the customers who have become our loyal repeat clients.
The Present
At the age of 23, I became a parent, and today, as a single parent, I continue to run my business while raising two daughters. In the early stages of my career, when I worked while carrying my young daughter, there were times when I believed I could single-handedly manage both my business and personal responsibilities. However, as the business expanded, my mindset shifted significantly, and I came to realize the clear limits to the success that can be achieved by working alone.
I am deeply grateful every day for my family, including my sister, who handles our office work, the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to create the best products and services, the customers who have supported me since my days in Toyama, and my daughters, who understand and cooperate with my work.
I make a conscious effort to never take this fortunate environment for granted and to always keep gratitude at the forefront of my mind. While balancing parenting and work is undoubtedly challenging, I have fostered my children’s independence from an early age, teaching them essential life skills since they were as young as four. In a world where everyone has their own approach to parenting, I believe the most important thing is to equip my children with the strength and wisdom they need to thrive in society. As both a businessperson and a parent, my hope is that by demonstrating my approach to life and work, they will learn the realities of business, self-fulfillment, and life itself.
As a business owner, some might view this as a shortcoming, but I do not place much emphasis on numbers. Rather than focusing solely on sales figures, my priority is customer feedback and ensuring we create products that prompt the response, “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.” When we successfully develop a product we can take pride in, my approach isn’t to push for aggressive sales. Instead, I share the passion and commitment behind its creation, along with how it can positively impact our customers' lives. I believe that when this message resonates, customers naturally become devoted fans.
While it may be easy for others to replicate the products themselves, the thought, dedication, and attention to detail we invest are inimitable. In this regard, we strive to remain a company that others cannot duplicate.
For the Future
So far, we have successfully expanded our business in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Looking ahead, we plan to enter new markets in the Middle East, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and China. Our goal is not only to promote our products but also to share the intricate techniques unique to Japan, positioning ourselves as pioneers within the lash industry in these regions. Furthermore, we are exploring a "reverse import" strategy, aiming to increase brand recognition overseas before further solidifying our presence in Japan.
I am deeply committed to fostering environments that empower women. Alongside managing my business, I actively advocate for women's empowerment through seminars and social media outreach. Despite the progress made, the number of female entrepreneurs, both domestically and globally, remains notably low. Balancing the demands of parenting and work presents undeniable challenges, yet I remain steadfast in my refusal to compromise on my ambitions.
I am proud to be a woman who has embarked on the entrepreneurial journey while raising my children alone. I firmly believe that "what you can envision, you can achieve." As I continue to grow my business, I hope to become a role model for female entrepreneurs and inspire women who are about to embark on their own challenges.