With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, I leverage my expertise as a freelance beauty business consultant based in London. Fluent in both Japanese and English, I am capable of conducting business communication in both languages. Whether you are looking to promote Japanese beauty overseas, introduce international beauty brands to Japan, stay up-to-date on the latest beauty trends in London or arrange a beauty tour in London, or seek a translator or interpreter for all things beauty-related, please do not hesitate to contact me for a consultation.
Services
■ Build a bridge between Japanese distributors and brands
The Japanese beauty market is not only highly mature but also a unique and specialized market. When entering the Japanese market, it is crucial to first target distributors who have a high affinity with the brand and assess their ability to execute the brand’s strategy. Furthermore, it is important to convey the brand’s appeal correctly without being lost in translation and to align the needs of both parties. I act as an intermediary between the brand and distributor, streamlining the process by not only selecting the right distributor but also consolidating and communicating the information that Japanese distributors need while taking into account the brand’s intentions.
Even if you don’t speak Japanese, there is no need to worry. I will work diligently to ensure your brand’s success in the Japanese market. With over a decade of experience in the industry, I have gained the expertise to fully understand the intricacies of the market and effectively communicate the brand’s objectives to Japanese distributors. By acting as a liaison between the brand and distributor, I will facilitate a seamless and efficient process, all while keeping the brand’s interests at the forefront.
In addition, I am able to negotiate contract terms with distributors and provide post-contract care. After the contract is signed, the brand cannot simply leave the distributor to sell the products on their own, as there is no guarantee of sales. Especially during the first year, it is crucial for the brand and distributor to communicate closely about sales and marketing, and to observe market trends to adjust their strategies accordingly. Depending on your needs, I can provide continuous support.
■ Bring a Japanese brand to the U.K.
If you are interested in carrying Japanese brand products at your store or company, please leave it to me. I will negotiate with the brands on your behalf and make sure that their products are successfully introduced to your market. With my expertise in the beauty industry and my understanding of the Japanese market, I can help you expand your sales channels and reach a wider audience. Don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more about how I can assist you in bringing Japanese brands to your business.
■ Translator / interpreter
If you are in need of a meeting with Japanese distributors, brands, OEM companies, PR agencies, or any other parties, and you don’t have an employee who can speak Japanese, don’t worry. I will join the meeting as an interpreter and facilitate smooth communication. Additionally, I can also create materials such as briefings, contracts, and other documents to be submitted to Japanese companies.
■ Product development support
I have undertaken a beauty project for an Australian company, responsible for branding, procurement, competitive market research, product development, and successfully launched 9 products in 2021. If you are interested in working with Japanese OEMs but struggle with communication in Japanese, or if you are unsure where to begin with manufacturing beauty products in Japan, please feel free to consult with me.
■ Trend report
Are you in need of Japanese beauty trend reports, research on beauty habits, market research, and competitive analysis? I am capable of creating comprehensive reports that cover a wide range of demographics, from Generation Z to Millennials and Alpha, and from High Street Beauty to Luxury Beauty.
■ Recommendation on Japanese beauty stores
From 2015 until my move to London in 2021, I worked as a beauty business consultant in Japan. During that time, I also conducted beauty tours in Tokyo. If you could tell me your objectives, target audience, areas of interest, and schedule, I can create a Tokyo beauty tour that suits your needs. In addition to listing the stores, I can provide information on why each store is worth visiting, their unique features, and create a schedule along a convenient route. It is also possible to incorporate non-beauty shops into the tour.
Profile
2019-present:
Started working as a full-time freelance beauty business consultant. Supervised three brands in 2021, responsible for developing brand concepts, procurement, product development, and brand development. Also conducted a survey on the recognition of foreign cosmetics in Japan at the request of a consulting company and helped expand the sales channels of Japanese cosmetics overseas. Currently also providing consulting services for expanding sales channels of European brands in Asia.
2017-2018:
Worked as an amateur photographer for a beauty brand, shooting photos for advertising banners and social media.
2015-:
Started working as a beauty consultant as a side job, participating in workshops for product development through consulting companies in the US and U.K., conducting interviews on Japanese beauty, and leading beauty tours introducing Japanese beauty market.
2012-2019:
Worked in the overseas division of a Japanese beauty brand expanding sales channels and managing existing customers according to the brand’s strategy. Responsibilities included daily tasks such as receiving orders, arranging deliveries, issuing invoices, as well as analyzing sales and marketing results from the previous year, devising business strategies, setting sales targets, negotiating and concluding contracts, training agents and salespeople, handling visitors from overseas and creating English materials (brand overview, press releases, training materials, etc.), and overseas export-related duties. Sales in the overseas division increased by 1500% in 7 years.
2010-:
Started a beauty blog called “Beau Tea Time” and contributed articles as a beauty writer to women’s information sites and beauty-related websites. Launched “Beau Tea Time in Tokyo” in 2012 to introduce J-Beauty in English. *Currently closed.
2010-2011:
Worked as a Sales Manager at a distributor of Dutch cosmetics, responsible for a wide range of duties including sales, marketing, PR, logistics, etc. as the only employee besides the president.