Interview/Text: Erina Terui/Mynavi Woman Editorial Department
Photography: Shun Nakano/Mynavi Woman Editorial Department
"I'm home~ Ah~~ I'm tired..."
It's not an exaggeration to say that it's the item that helps us the most after coming home tired. What do you think? I think there are various things depending on the person, but what I would like to pick up this time is, yes, "compression socks".
Among the compression socks that make your legs look slimmer just by wearing them, Pip's "Slim Walk" is a classic. Did you know that such a "slim walk" has undergone a major evolution in recent years?
The Mynavi Woman editorial department hits directly on Yumiko Kumagawa, who developed a new product for the “Slim Walk,” which has greatly increased sales even during the corona crisis. I thought that she was a very smart woman, but she made an unexpected statement.
Entering the world of craftsmanship with the desire to “be involved in things I love”
Thank you for your time today! Mr. Kumagawa, I heard that you changed jobs to Pip four years ago. What kind of work did you do in your previous job?
I was in product planning for about 5 years at a cosmetics company! There, I was able to experience the fun of making things.
So did you change jobs to advance your career?
Actually it's not.... When I got married, I decided to look for a company in Osaka in consideration of the work location of my partner. However, I wanted to continue making things, so I decided to apply for the Slim Walk, which supports women's beauty, from among the recruitment at that time... That's how I joined.
I see. As with your previous job, were you originally interested in supporting the beauty of women?
I entered this industry purely because I wanted to be involved in something I love! Slim Walk was originally my favorite brand. However, I never thought that I would be in charge of something I really like, so I was lucky (laughs).
A hit product is born from "Zuborasa"
The products that were in charge of Slim Walk are a hit with the corona disaster! Please tell us more about your story.
Corona was a big factor that led to the expansion of sales, but in the fall of 2019, before the corona crisis began, it was a product that received a good response within our company, and it was boosted by "Stay Home". That's the form.
The times were on the side of the original demand. I think it's a product that is quite different from the product development up to now, but how was it born?
Slim Walk was originally a brand that started with socks for external use, but for our generation, it has a strong image of “leg care items for home use”. For the last 10 years or so, such items have dominated the market.
It's just that this item is something you wear with pajamas plus a. Have you ever had a day when you know you should wear shoes when your legs are heavy, but you just can't do your best?
I have! (Fucking big voice)
(laughs) There were many customers who stopped using it, so it would be nice if there was something that could be done with just one! I thought that was the impetus for development . I myself had repeated experiences of buying and not using it.
If this is the case, it would be nice to be able to sleep as it is. I'm glad that I can continue even in Zubora. What was the reaction inside the company?
If you say, "It's troublesome, isn't it?" to a ready-made product that has already sold, the upper management thinks that it is a betrayal to the customer ... or that it will affect the main sales. The reaction from people was harsh .
How did you persuade him?
The people around me cooperated, and my boss and product development people at the time all came out, and it was a form of conflict with enthusiasm. I definitely want to do it, I definitely can! I persuaded him by backing it up.
hot! Were there any other challenges during development?
It's a prototype check. It's not a big story, but I make them wear hundreds of pairs of socks in a day. If you do that, you'll likely lose your fingerprints...
No more fingerprints!? Too scary... But that just means that you are serious about making things.
Rest as much as you can on your days off
We've heard a lot about development, but Mr. Kumagawa, you're mainly working from home now. I think it's difficult to separate it from your private life. How are you spending your time?
I'm not good at carving... I'm working until the last minute when my husband comes home, and I'm making rice in a hurry. That's why I take full rest on Saturdays and Sundays. I don't even look at my work phone.
I've always tried not to think about work except when I'm working.
Surprise! A lot of very hot stories came out, so I thought that he was a so-called working person.
In my previous job, the products I was in charge of often came into my life, but now it's not so much, so I'm completely forgetting about it and taking a break. It's easier to get a real sense of the consumer that way. Oh, of course I usually wear compression!
I want to do my best to make it easier in the future
Mr. Kumagawa, whose range of work has expanded through changing jobs, do you have a vision of "I want to do this kind of work in the future!" or "I want to be like this!"
Until now, I've been involved in things that are output as things, but recently I've been thinking that the value of things that I want to pay for isn't limited to "things."
Right now, I don't have the knowledge to please people with services, but I think I'll need more of that in the future. I would like to start with the knowledge of EC and web marketing . I think that I will continue to work so that I can live even after my old age.
You really like your job!
I don't like it (greatly)!
What!? Is that what you came here for?!
In fact, I spent my 20s wanting to be a full-time housewife.
I'm full of enthusiasm for my work, but it doesn't look like that...
If I really had money, I would like to live like a cat. But if you want to buy what you like and do what you like, you have no choice but to work .
If I had to choose between ``I don't have money, but I can go on and on,'' or ``I have to work, but I can do what I want,'' I would say, ``Well, I'll work!''
I love working so much! I don't feel like that, but I work 8 hours a day, so I'm naturally enthusiastic, and I want to do my best in a fun way.
Oh, I'm relieved. I wondered how this article would turn out. You have a very serious personality. It seems that there are many people who think like Mr. Kumagawa when they work.
As long as I don't win the lottery, I think I'll do my best to stay alive (laughs). I want to work hard and gain knowledge so that I can work as a freelancer in the future!
Pip-san is praying that Mr. Kumagawa won't win the lottery... Thank you for the wonderful story!
