Shine by Doing What You Do Best — the BEAMS Way.

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

A.One of the reasons I decided to work at BEAMS was because I went to the "FUTURE ARCHIVE" event. It was a project that linked with music and art, and I realized that Beams is a company that is at the center of creating culture, not just fashion. Another attractive thing about Beams is that it collaborates with various different industries, such as baseball. I've been doing calligraphy since I was a child, and I studied graphic design in the UK and designed T-shirts, so I've always had an interest in creative things, and I thought that this was a company where I could make use of my skills. During my job search, I mainly applied to design offices, but as the selection process progressed, I began to think that "BEAMS is the company I most want to work for." The interview atmosphere was such that I could speak honestly about myself, and I strongly felt that it was a company that matched my values.

Q.Please tell us about your current job.

A.I am currently working at BEAMS Shin-Marunouchi in my first year at the company. I try to suggest outfits by listening to customers and finding out their favorite styles. I also do styling for BEAMS OFFICIAL WEBSITE and post photologs. I try to communicate the features of the product in detail, such as why I styled it and introducing the artist if it is a T-shirt with a graphic design. My hobby is photography, so in the future I would like to take photos with my own camera to post on my photolog. Right now, what I find most rewarding is customer service. I have had the opportunity to receive requests to put together a full outfit, and when a customer liked what I proposed and bought everything, I felt that I had become closer to the customer and I am glad that I chose this job. In addition to customer service, I am in charge of supplies, which contributes to sustainability, and manage the inventory of shoppers.

Q.Was there a difference between before and after you joined the company?

A.Before joining the company, I thought I would work only in the store to which I was assigned, but there was a gap with my positive imagination that I could also experience working in other stores, departments, and events. We have a system called "help," and when there is a need in other departments or events, we have internal openings. When I participated in the "TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR" event, I was able to explain to customers about our efforts at BEAMS 's [TOKYO CULTUART by BEAMS (Tokyo Culture Chart by BEAMS) ]. When I go to help, the number of staff at my store is reduced, so not everything is as I would like, but I often get a push. When I missed an opening for help at BEAMS Harajuku, a senior colleague told me, "Why don't you go there? I was very happy to hear that. Since "BEAMS Harajuku" is one of the flagship stores of BEAMS, it carries different products from "BEAMS Shin-Marunouchi" and has a different customer base, so I was able to learn the difference in customer service.

Q.Is there anything you consider important when it comes to internal communication?

A.I often go to other stores to help out, so when I meet new employees, I always ask them about their hobbies, "What do you do on your days off?" Many people have interesting hobbies, so we have a great conversation. For example, if I tell them I'm a DJ, they'll come to my events. I think that if you keep sharing what you like, you'll have more opportunities to be invited to interesting jobs.

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

A.They are people who are curious and passionate about something. Looking at my classmates, everyone has something they are good at. There are people who are very knowledgeable about clothes, and there is also someone who is ranked high in the world for kendama. Many people are able to turn their "interests" into work, and a classmate who makes zines was doing events at "BEAMS RECORDS". I myself had no experience working in apparel, so I didn't have any knowledge about clothes at first, but my understanding deepened as I worked there. If there is something you like, it is a workplace where you can put that knowledge and experience to good use, and even if you are not yet sure what you like, I think it is a place where you can gain new knowledge and be active, just like I gained knowledge about clothes while working.

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

A.BEAMS OFFICIAL WEBSITE has a content called "BEAMS 's 100 Great Products," and I appeared as a model. Until then, I didn't know that the models appearing on the site were employees, so I was surprised at the breadth of work that was done within the company, and I felt that it was very BEAMS like that each model was active in what they were good at. In addition to the site, we also created and distributed a booklet, so customers could see it and tell them, "I'm in it too!", which became an opportunity for communication.

Q.Are there any systems you use to help plan your career?

A.BEAMS holds various study sessions. I recently attended a "Customer Service Study Session" for first-year employees. The session was taught by a service master who is an expert in customer service among BEAMS' staff, and the content was about resolving concerns and questions that employees may have after serving customers for a year. Although I am still only concerned with the work in front of me, I was able to learn from examples of customer service that satisfied customers and made them come back again, not just for the moment but also for the next time. In the second year, employees can receive training in other departments in the department of their choice, and can also submit a transfer request every six months.

Q.Was there a difference between before and after you joined the company?

A.I get rent assistance and employee discounts. It's great for people who love clothes. I feel like it's easy to get what I want when it comes to holidays. If it's not a busy season, I can take consecutive holidays and go on trips.

Q.What are your hobbies and favorite cultures?

A.My hobbies are DJing and calligraphy. I fell in love with the UK Jungle genre of music at a club I visited while studying abroad in the UK, and started DJing after returning to Japan. The other day I rented a car and took a trip to Hakone with my DJ set. I felt a sense of freedom when I played music in the forest and it felt amazing. I've been doing calligraphy since I was in the sixth grade of elementary school, and I'm also a qualified calligrapher. I find it interesting how different characters come out depending on the writer, and I often write in a sharp style. I still go to calligraphy lessons every Wednesday. I started designing T-shirts after thinking, "I wonder if I can make clothes using calligraphy." I'm always thinking of new designs, inspired by my sketchbooks that record my drawings and photos.

Q.Is there a connection between what you love and your job?

A.It's a good topic of conversation when I'm serving customers. When I ask customers about their hobbies, I'm surprised to find that many of them do calligraphy, so it's a lively conversation. BEAMS Shin-Marunouchi has a lot of customers from overseas, and when I ask them "Where are you going now?" they sometimes ask me for recommendations on clubs, saying "I want to go to a club at night." On my days off or on the train, I study English vocabulary books so that I can use natural English expressions.

Q.What are your goals for your future work?

A.My goal is to create something new while respecting the values of both customers and staff. I'm good at graphic design, so I hope to be active in the creative field. I'm also good at English, so I'd like to work in a department where I can use my English skills.

(Photo)
He keeps his favorite pictures and photographs in his sketchbook as a source of ideas. He uses them for the T-shirt designs he makes privately.