Looking for the light switch in the dark.(Grit & Glamor: Epi.11)

There are many ways to discover the world and to discover oneself in it. Let’s not forget how we did it before Google and ChatGPT. Go and get information, instead of getting it and then going.

Previously:

After achieving 40 million yen in sales, I rewarded myself by purchasing a Prada bag, feeling a sense of success. Inspired by the idea that successful people exercise, I joined a gym in Ebisu, but by the end of September, we failed to meet our sales target despite surpassing the previous year’s sales.

In early October, during a store managers’ meeting in Kobe, I felt anxious as the Shibuya store’s poor performance was pointed out. However, the encouraging words from Ms.H in Nagoya saved me. She empathized and assured me of eventual success. Sharing my determination with my staff, we united with a goal to outperform the Yokohama store, fostering a sense of teamwork.

To improve my blog, I started a “Insights Notebook” for insights. Inspired by Ms.H’s influence, I began to feel more confident. Watching her passionately scout for staff, I envisioned myself leading my team similarly in the future.

Chapter 5 Self-Investment

5.1 Fateful Lecture

A newsletter I always read introduced a book with the bold title “Accelerated Success.” According to the description, the author achieved an income nine times higher than his salaryman days just a year and a half after becoming independent. The phrase “Anyone can succeed in a short period” resonated with me, and I immediately bought the book at a bookstore.

As I turned the pages, I felt a surge of energy within me. One day, unexpectedly, an acquaintance, Mr.N, contacted me via SM message.

“There’s a free lecture by the author of ‘Accelerated Success.’ Interested?” Just having read the book, I felt I had attracted the opportunity to meet the author. Being a manager was convenient in such times — I could decide my shifts and decided to attend.

On the day of the lecture, the venue was filled with excitement as I entered. The audience was packed, mostly men. I might have been the only woman in her 20s.

Suddenly, the room fell silent. On stage appeared the author, Mr. D. He began to speak passionately, and each of his words etched into my heart.

“Believe in yourself and don’t be swayed by others’ negative comments.”

“Always vividly and minutely imagine your desirable future self. Then you will become that person with certainty.”

“Words have power, and continuity brings strength.”

I was overwhelmed by the momentum and aura of Mr.D’s presentation.

As the lecture ended and the excitement lingered, I realized something. I had been complaining about the lack of company training. But seeking to learn on my own and giving it back to the company — that attitude is the real shortcut to growth.

As I left the venue, I felt something changing within me.

5.2 The Epicenter of Trends

Two months after starting my blog, I awoke to a new mission: “finding content.” I began subscribing to industry papers like Senken Shimbun and Nikkei MJ, striving to catch the latest news in the apparel industry.

One day, an advertisement for a “Fashion Trend Seminar” caught my eye. I immediately signed up for two seminars, one hosted by Senken Shimbun and the other by WWD, and attended them on my days off.

The venue was a large hall reminiscent of a ballet recital. The hall was packed with apparel industry professionals, and on stage, I could see a coolly-dressed lecturer and a big screen. I felt, “I’ve finally become a part of this world.”

The lecturer was surely a well-known figure in the industry. Speaking fluently, they explained collections from Milan, Paris, London, and New York. As I looked at the photos of each brand, I desperately tried to keep up with the lecturer’s words, highlighting the key points of the trends.

2005 SS Paris Collection: Natural femininity. 2005 SS Milan Collection: “Safari, Folklore.” There were terms I didn’t understand well, but I took notes and drew pictures to grasp the concepts.

From this seminar, I learned for the first time that the sources of trends lie in the fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, New York, and London. The spring/summer collections for the following year are announced at the shows in September, and each brand is designed based on these themes. That’s why spring items are in stores by February. I understood this as “the theory of relativity in the apparel industry.” This special world operates on a different time flow from common sense. At that moment, I remembered the words of the company president right after I became a store manager: “Read VOGUE.”

Back then, I was satisfied with fashion magazines aimed at office workers, but I realized that was too late. Indeed, magazines like those featured the Ginza store where I served as manager. However, that was from the customer’s perspective. Sales staff need to be one step ahead.

The ability to understand and explain trends, tell the story behind the clothes in the store, and, most importantly, coordinate sophisticated outfits — these were the skills I felt I could still improve, despite my good personal sales performance.

With this new learning, the Shibuya Store Manager Blog transformed dramatically. Three months after starting, it featured information about new products, popular items’ stock statuses, and photos of staff wearing the items.

One day, a regular customer said, “I know when to visit the store by looking at this blog.” The dream of having a “magazine-like blog” was becoming a reality.

5.3 Insights from the Seminar: Connecting the Present and the Future

In the fall of 2005, amidst the clear, crisp air, I excitedly headed to the seminar venue. It was finally the day to attend a seminar by Ken Honda, the author of the booklet that changed my mindset, “Happy Millionaire.”

Entering the venue, I noticed many participants over 40. Compared to Mr. Honda, who was 38 at the time, I felt quite young at 29. Despite my nerves, my heart raced with the anticipation of the knowledge I was about to gain.

As the seminar began, Mr. Honda’s gentle tone captivated the entire audience. What particularly stood out was “Three things to change your life for the better.”
“Meet a mentor,” “Make a decision,” “Take action.”
These words were projected in large letters on the screen. I took notes feverishly.

Mr. Honda continued, “Only about 1% of people can get excited and immediately take off running. Most people feel excitement but also fear.”
Listening to this, I smirked inwardly, thinking, “I’m probably part of that 1% who gets excited and takes off running.”

Whenever I read self-help books, rather than gaining new knowledge, I often felt they articulated my way of thinking. It felt comforting.

Advertisements for various marketing seminars by Nikkei MJ lined the pages. Seminars by famous bestselling authors were there too. “I’ll attend that next,” I decided quickly.

This marketing seminar was a treasure trove of immediately applicable ideas. “How to motivate customers to buy,” “Building a system to retain customers,” and “Ways to build relationships with customers” — all directly connected to customer strategies as a store manager. “I’ll try this tomorrow,” I thought with eagerness.

I realized anew the greatness of working for a company. With sales reaching tens of millions per month, my actions could significantly expand that figure, all while receiving a salary. Achieving significant results here would enhance my market value. I felt grateful, believing that my current efforts would surely lead to a better future, no matter what career I chose.

Suddenly, I thought of the staff working with me in the store. If they could also see how their current work connected to their future, they might find greater value in their jobs.

For example, the experience of building customer relationships would be useful in any industry. Experience in inventory management and creating sales floors would be beneficial if they ever owned their store. Teamwork and leadership experience would be valuable in any workplace.

Thinking this way, I saw my current job not as just daily tasks but as an investment in the future and an opportunity for personal growth. With this mindset, daily work could become more fulfilling.

I wanted to share this idea with my staff. I hoped to create an environment where they could work with pride in their current jobs and hope for the future. If each staff member could connect their present job to their future, the atmosphere of the entire store and customer service would surely improve. I began to think about creating opportunities for them to feel this way.

When I think of it, I remember the president always asking us, ‘What is your dream?’ I could never answer and felt frustrated, but as I attended more seminars about fulfilling dreams, I gradually began to understand the president’s way of thinking.