Chasing Good Fortune (Grit & Glamour: Epi.5)

How does luck come to us? The answer lies within this memoir!

Previously:

One autumn day, the CEO visited the Shibuya store and remarked that the window display looked like a school play. Shocked by his words, I accompanied him to a popular store in 109, where I learned about the shop’s appeal and brand background. This experience made me realize the importance of window displays and strengthened my collaboration with the VMD staff.

The CEO asked, “How much would Shibuya store need to sell to look impressive?” When I answered “50 million yen,” a new challenge was born. Given the freedom in budgeting, I began to explore new strategies, focusing on acquiring loyal customers and improving staff recruitment to enhance the store’s atmosphere.

The director’s lesson that “growth means new challenges” led to further mindset shifts. Reflecting on past efforts, I resolved to take one step at a time toward new goals.

Chapter 3: The Beginning of a New Turning Point

3.1 New Challenges and Surprising Results

The director’s insightful words resonated deeply with me, prompting a determination to start something new. My expertise lay in customer management. While everyone at the Shibuya store lamented the lack of regular customers, I had managed to retain mine. What was the difference? Reflecting on this, I realized that I focused on providing excellent service, getting customers to sign up for our mailing list, and then sending thank-you emails.

“Why don’t I, as the store manager, send thank-you emails to all Shibuya store customers?” This idea struck me. I planned to send bulk emails using BCC from the store’s PC and instructed the staff to collect email addresses from first-time customers.

Occasionally, I mistakenly sent emails without using BCC, but since the Personal Information Protection Law hadn’t been enacted yet in 2003, a simple apology email sufficed to rectify the error. To minimize mistakes, I thought of creating a mobile site. This was during the era of flip phones when mobile novels were popular.

I decided to create an online site where I could post photos of new products and send the link to customers via a newsletter. Although self-taught, I managed to create the mobile site. From the fall of 2003, I implemented a strategy to manage Shibuya store customers collectively as the store manager.

This strategy was well received. During the VIP sale in winter 2003, customers from the Ginza store came to Shibuya, making significant purchases. Around the year-end season, our mall held a year-end lottery, with the top prize being an overseas trip. A woman my age, Ms. N, made many purchases, so I jokingly told her, “If you win, please share it with me!” and gave her a few extra tickets.

Later, during a work break, I received a message from Ms. N on my cell phone: “Hitomi, I’ve won a trip to Fiji. Let’s go together! My hands are trembling as I hold my phone.” My hands trembled too. I had been feeling down due to poor sales and personal setbacks, but this news boosted my spirits tremendously! The Fiji trip was scheduled for six days starting February 7th. I bought a new swimsuit and prepared for snorkeling during Japan’s midwinter season.

Although Fiji was in its rainy season, it only had brief evening showers, and we enjoyed sunny days. Riding a banana boat to a snorkeling spot, I was enveloped in happiness as I swam among colorful fish in the clear blue sea, reminiscent of Finding Nemo.

The vibrant flowers and the sweet taste of tropical fruits were exceptional. At a seaside restaurant, we savored BBQ dishes, enjoying the sea breeze. My dream of stargazing while lying on the beach came true! Every interaction with the warm-hearted locals filled me with contentment.

Everything was perfect in this tropical paradise. I returned home completely refreshed, rejuvenated by Fiji’s stunning nature, culture, and the hospitality of its people.

After this wonderful experience, I decided to move house. Although my previous apartment had a spectacular view of Mount Fuji from Tokyo, it wasn’t on an express train line. I wanted to live closer to Shibuya and began searching for a new property on the Yamanote Line, something I’d long aspired to.

I found a corner apartment on the third floor, just a three-minute walk from the station. The window offered a view of the concierge floor of the adjacent tower, sparking a new dream of one day living in a building with a concierge. It was the perfect place to envision my future. Although the rent was 25,000 yen higher, I took the plunge, believing that my salary would increase in the future!

3.2 Omikuji and Grandma’s Teachings: A Resolute New Year’s Day

Determining to transform myself, I went with my parents to the renowned Kawasaki Daishi for Hatsumode on New Year’s Day 2004. Despite the massive crowds, we stood in line for two hours through the residential areas. I felt immensely grateful to my parents for their patience.

After much effort, we finally reached the omikuji corner. Nervously, I drew a fortune slip, only to find it read “bad luck.” Seeing my disappointment, my mother encouraged me with a smile. “Your grandmother always said she drew ‘excellent luck,’ but actually, she kept drawing until she got it! Try again!”

“Really?” Laughing at my grandmother’s legendary persistence, I tried again. The second slip also read “bad luck,” which made me laugh. Determined to keep going until I drew ‘excellent luck,’ I tried a third time and got “small luck.” I felt somewhat relieved.

My grandmother was a rare woman politician of her time and possessed remarkable luck. Her smiling face came to mind. Her luck wasn’t merely good fortune but the result of her hard work and perseverance. Inspired by her, I resolved to keep striving until I achieved my ‘excellent luck’ on our way back home.

3.3 A Fateful Book

Through an introduction by my former supervisor at a global fast-food chain, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. A, a person my supervisor deeply respected. Although I had no direct connection with Mr. A, my supervisor introduced him as the person he trusted most.

Mr. A was a specialist in human resource development and was being headhunted by a world-renowned fast fashion apparel company. Perhaps my position as a store manager in the apparel industry played a part in forging this connection.

After sharing several meals and receiving advice on human resource development, Mr. A handed me a book on “coaching” one day. The last page of the book bore a stamp from a training department, which made me laugh.

At that time, I was exploring ways to ask questions that would bring out the best in others, inspired by the president’s words: “You can do business in apparel even if you’re not fashionable.” Thus, this coaching book was exactly what I needed.

While I often sought advice from my former supervisors, a specialist in human resource development like Mr. A offered a unique perspective. Little did I know that this single book would become a cornerstone of my future life’s work. It truly was a fateful book.