A Workplace for Moms to Embrace Their Individuality and Thrive.

Q.Please tell us why you decided to join BEAMS.

A.I originally wanted to be a teacher, so I moved to Tokyo to go to university. When I came to Yokohama from Okayama, everyone looked stylish and sparkly, and I was awakened to fashion, which I had never been interested in before. Among them, BEAMS was an exciting place that I never got bored of, no matter how many times I went. At the time, BEAMS was located at the west exit of Yokohama Station, and I went there as many as four times a week. There were always new proposals and I was excited, and sometimes there were items that made me wonder, "Who would buy this?" (laughs). That kind of unexpectedness was also attractive and BEAMS like. I thought about what would be the most fun for me, and I decided to join the company because I wanted to work in the fashion industry. I wanted to work for a brand that was really familiar to me.

Q.What kind of work have you been in charge of since joining the company?

A.I've been with the company for 16 years, and have experience working as a salesperson at six stores, including street stores, stores in commercial facilities, and outlets, before transferring to Kodomo BEAMS two years ago. Since I first joined the company, I had wanted to work at Kodomo BEAMS, so this was a dream come true. My job involves sales, of course, but as my years with the company have increased, I've been put in charge of VMD, which involves thinking about product placement and displays, and recently I've been involved in product planning, such as accompanying buyers to exhibitions. Salespeople don't have many opportunities to exchange business cards, but since transferring to Kodomo BEAMS, I've had more opportunities to communicate with clients, so I started carrying a business card holder with me.

Q.Please tell us about your current job.

A.As the shop manager of "Kodomo BEAMS," in addition to sales, I also manage the staff. Also, at "Kodomo BEAMS," the shop staff can be involved in the creation of original label products from the very beginning. After listening to the voices of customers directly while standing in the store, we plan what kind of products are in demand, decide on the design, color, and fabric, and give them shape. In the end, we sell the clothes we make, so it's natural that I get excited and feel very rewarded.

Q.What kind of person do you think is suitable to work at BEAMS?

A.BEAMS has a wide variety of people: funny people, serious people, smart and intelligent people, and people with a pure heart like a child. There is no model of "how to be this kind of person," so it's a good variety. Because it is a company that brings together individualities, I think it is suitable for people who can see things flexibly. People who can absorb things they don't know by saying, "Oh, there's another way of thinking about it," and turn it into a positive by saying, "I'll do it this way." Also, people who can take a positive attitude toward anything. If you can truly enjoy the situation you are given, it will be good for you and will have a positive influence on those around you.

Q.Please tell us about an experience you had that made you feel was "BEAMS like."

A.For me, what makes BEAMS unique is that you can feel the warmth of people. Nothing is mechanical. I felt that again during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone was feeling vague anxiety, and the company was in a difficult position due to the unprecedented situation, but President Shitara declared, "BEAMS will definitely protect people." By protecting people, the company itself is also protected. I felt that they truly value their staff and that I was glad to be at this company. The president and vice president visit the stores on a regular basis and always say, "Thank you for your hard work." I think that's also a warm thing.

Q.Is there anything you were taught as a new employee that you continue to do?

A.I was surprised to see that both men and women wear bandanas around their necks as a substitute for aprons when eating during breaks. My senior told me that "as a salesperson, you should not let rice or sauces splash and stain your clothes." I hadn't worn an apron since I was a child, but I still wear one now. Bandanas are a necessity for BEAMS employees. So when bandanas arrive at the store, the staff fight over them (laughs).

Q.Are there any rules that you follow when working?

A.Doing the obvious things properly. Saying hello properly, not being late, following the rules, etc. sounds like something an elementary school kid would say, but I think it's really important. Doing the obvious things builds trust and allows you to assert what you want to do. I'm not a very distinctive person, nor am I particularly good at anything, but I was able to get into my current position by steadily doing what I had to do. There are many unique and stand-out people at BEAMS, but there are also places where people who don't think they have a distinctive personality can thrive.

Q.As a staff member who is a mother, is it easy for you to balance work and childcare?

A.I have two daughters and use the short-time work system. I work as a shop manager even with the short-time system, so I don't have to give up on what I want to do just because I'm a mother. There is a minimum number of hours to work, but it's flexible if I want to work a little longer or a little shorter, so it's an easy environment to work in even for mothers on a short-time system. Of course, because of the short hours, I'm conscious of increasing productivity, and there are physically things I can't do by myself, so I make it a point to trust other staff and delegate work to them.

Q.What are your hobbies and favorite cultures?

A.Designing children's clothes. My mother was a dressmaking teacher, so when I draw the clothes I want, my mother sews them into shape. I choose fabrics that suit my daughter and make them with a focus on comfort. When I make something good, I sometimes write a proposal and submit it. Even if children's clothes look cute, they won't wear them if they are uncomfortable or difficult to use the toilet. It's really fun to be able to plan things from a perspective that I have gained because I have children. I also like vintage culture, and I often incorporate elements of it into my own styling. We have held an event called "KIDS VINTAGE MARKET" at "Kodomo BEAMS," which collected used clothes and miscellaneous goods.

Q.What are your goals for your future work?

A.Daikanyama's "Kodomo BEAMS" started in 2008, and for 15 years, a senior staff member had been the shop manager. Now that I have been appointed as the second generation, I want to make the store even more attractive to customers. My current goal is to create a system where the staff at "Kodomo BEAMS" can work with a goal and have fun. Personally, I would like to move forward in the areas of clothing planning and buying, while listening to the real voices of customers.