Establishing Hitomi-land and becoming its queen. (Grit & Glamor Epi.22)
Once you give it a name it becomes real, until you do that it's all your mind. Name it, Live it.
Previously：
The protagonist is given a surprising proposal from her mentor, Kanai, to collaborate between her store and RITZ, planting a new seed of hope in her heart. Later, a project to create a glamorous-themed fashion shoot takes shape, and with the help of her staff, they successfully prepare for and execute a fashion show at Laforet Harajuku. Afterward, during a coaching class, she proudly shared that her store achieved the top sales nationwide. To her surprise, the instructor, Coach A, visits her store unexpectedly and brings along other professional coaches. They encourage her to hold a seminar, pushing her toward a new challenge. Through these encounters with professional coaches, the protagonist gains the confidence to step forward into this new venture, marking a turning point in her life.
8.6 Advice for My First Seminar
The day the date for my first seminar was set, I sent an email to my mentor, filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. To my surprise, the reply came sooner than expected. Each word on the screen seemed to dissolve the nervousness within me gently.
“In your seminar, it’s best to speak realistically about your own experiences.”
The email even contained a specific outline. It was as if I were constructing a book: Chapter 1 would be about who I am, and Chapter 2 would share the secrets of my success as a charismatic salesperson. The advice continued in great detail, covering the necessity of PowerPoint, considerations for both left-brained and right-brained audience members, and more. Practical tips were also included, such as focusing your gaze on two or three participants when feeling nervous and speaking slower than usual.
This email felt like a vivid rainbow across the blank slate of my mind. Every word from my experienced mentor painted images of success in my head. By the next day’s coaching session, with that rainbow guiding me, most of my seminar content was completed. Additionally, unexpected features like an interview corner with a friend were added, and the seminar content became more substantial than I had ever imagined.
8.7 Knowing Everything Can Be Achieved!
One day, a line in an email from my mentor deeply moved me: “I know that everything can be achieved!” I asked for clarification, and my mentor responded with profound insights. They explained that to achieve your dreams, it is essential to focus on what you truly want while accepting reality. Setting the right ones — those you genuinely desire more important than achieving your goals.
What I found particularly interesting was their opinion on self-help books.
“I used to own a lot of books on success philosophy, but in the end, reading those books only made me acknowledge my lack of success. It’s dangerous for the subconscious, so I sold them all.”
Their point was that keeping such books around might cause you to identify yourself as someone who has yet to succeed. Back in 2005, before *The Secret* was even released, their words resonated like a message from the universe. I slowly started to grasp the importance of shifting focus from what I “lack” to what I “already have.”
Amidst all this, an unexpected opportunity arose. A store manager training session, organized by the shopping mall, was to be held at Disneyland! The store managers I met there showed interest in my story, and I was able to hand out flyers for my seminar. Three of the managers from famous shops wanted to hear more, and during a follow-up dinner, the conversation naturally turned into something like a group coaching session. Seeds of new activities beyond being a store manager had certainly begun to sprout.
I could feel my anxiety gradually turning into excitement. Guided by the words of my mentors, I realized I was taking steps toward my dreams, one at a time.
8.8 The Birth of My Business Name
As I solidified the content of my seminar, I realized I also needed to take care of some practical aspects. I decided to set the participation fee at the same amount I had paid when I attended my first seminar. At the time, the term “reskilling” didn’t even exist, and it was rare for company employees to attend external seminars. That’s why I thought it was important to set an affordable price for a first-time investment in oneself.
Once the participation fee was decided, the next step was to set up a bank account name for the payments. I impulsively sent a text message to my mentor’s mobile phone, asking, “If I were to create a company name, what do you think it should be?”
By that evening, I received a reply suggesting names like “PEARL” or “BIRD CALL.” My eyes were naturally drawn to the word “PEARL.” I immediately thought of going with something like “PEARL something” and started consulting my friends who were good at English and searching for words online.
Just as I was about to email my coach for advice, I accidentally pressed the “+” symbol below the “P” on my keyboard after typing “PEARL.” The moment “PEARL+” appeared on the screen, I had a feeling of surprise but also found the sound quite charming. I quickly emailed my mentor, saying, “I’ll go with PEARL PLUS.”
Even though it was late at night, around 11 PM, I received a swift reply suggesting, “How about pronouncing it in French, *Plus*?” That slight twist made the name even more attractive, and that’s how the business name “PEARL PLUS” was born.
Later, when my female mentor, Ms. T, asked, “What does PEARL PLUS mean?” I realized that I hadn’t given much thought to its deeper meaning, as it had been decided through the flow of my mentor’s inspiration.
When I researched “pearl” more deeply, I discovered something fascinating. The process of a pearl forming involves foreign substances like sand or bugs entering the shell and, over time, transforming into a beautiful pearl.
Upon learning this, I felt deeply moved. It seemed to symbolize the coaching process itself, where I help draw out the answers already within someone, bringing out their inner brilliance. I realized that this intention was, in an unexpected way, embedded in the name “PEARL PLUS.”
With the name settled, new ideas began to emerge within me. I suddenly wanted to create an original bag. Initially, I had thought about buying items in Bali and selling them online, but as my thoughts wandered, the idea of selling my original products excited me more.
Around that time, a friend I had traveled to Bali with, who was also in the apparel industry, was preparing to go independent and create their original products. Through this connection, I was introduced to a manufacturer.
Even though the idea had come suddenly, everything fell into place in time for my first seminar. I requested a design from my friend on November 1, and incredibly, a sample was completed in just two weeks. I realized that, when I set my mind to it, creating original products could happen much faster than I had expected.
I shared my plan to create the original bag with my mentor via email and received an immediate reply.
“Symbols, crests, logos, and branding are essential. A notebook would be a good idea too. Hardcore Horiguchi fans would love it.”
The advice continued with another crucial point.
“Next, you need to create a story. It’s important to craft a story that turns customers into Horiguchi fans. What is PEARL PLUS’s product? Who is the real target? When you think of the story, it must always carry a message for someone.”
I couldn’t help but smile while reading the email, especially at the phrase “hardcore Horiguchi fans.” My mentor always guides me with precise and humorous words like this.
I quickly replied, “Mr.Kanai, your email made me laugh out loud. Hardcore Horiguchi fans! You always say the most interesting things. Thinking about creating a story is such a fun task. Once again, you’ve given me a fresh perspective today!”
I also couldn’t resist sharing my admiration for the wonderful sound of the name “Plus.” I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my mentor’s creativity and sharp inspiration.
I was already taking action. I started promoting the seminar on my blog, changing the title to “Secrets to Exciting and Powerful Action.” I created flyers using Word and continued my steady efforts to attract participants.
Every small action was gradually transforming my dream into a concrete reality. That feeling was growing stronger day by day.