Ayano, the developer of SLOW OIL, was interviewed. We are sharing it here.
Q. Please tell us what led you to become a therapist.
After graduating from university, I moved to Tokyo for work. As a salesperson at an advertising agency, I worked long hours in a demanding environment. I was constantly chasing deadlines and tasks, working hard, but I was utterly exhausted, and my skin and body were taking a toll.
I prioritized living in a convenient location in the city, so my apartment was tiny...
Day after day, I tirelessly worked to achieve sales targets.
One day, when I went back to my hometown for a holiday, someone told me, "You look so worn out since you moved to Tokyo. Your skin is a mess."
That comment made me reflect, "Why did I even move to Tokyo?"
It was around midnight, just before the last train, at Hibiya Station, where glamorous women walked the platform.
I was rushing to that platform, carrying a heavy sales bag.
Before I knew it, I had lost myself, and my mind and body were completely worn out.
”Wasn't I supposed to become one of those beautiful women standing next to me?”
”I want to do work that only I can do. There are plenty of substitutes for my current job.”
These thoughts grew stronger day by day.
Around that time, I discovered a hidden lymphatic massage salon that healed both my mind and body.
"Maybe I can do this too."
With that thought, I began learning techniques at relaxation and esthetic salons.
At that time, I had been living in Tokyo for two years, but I was constantly busy with work and didn't know much about anything else.
I acutely felt how narrow my perspective was. With so much I didn't know, I couldn't be assertive in sales. So, I decided to work at a bar part-time as well. I was interested in various regions and people.
I slept only 3 to 4 hours a night. Weekends were no different.
To achieve my dream, I left the community of my previous workplace and sometimes felt lonely and isolated, but more than that, I was only focused on moving forward.
And I began to strongly feel, "I want to bring insights and opportunities for change to people who, like me, try too hard."
I had always enjoyed making people happy, so with the desire to help others in a way only I could, I honed my skills, became independent, and embarked on my path as a therapist.
I started a small salon in Ebisu, Tokyo, with 400,000 yen in savings. I was 26 years old at the time.
From 9 AM, and on late days until 1 AM, I spent my days attending to each client, focusing on body treatments and facials.
It was later than the platform just before the last train at midnight, but every day was fulfilling.
The words "thank you" from my clients were my greatest encouragement.
After the last client, I would collapse onto the sofa before cleaning up. It's a physically demanding job.
I want to support over 10,000 clients, as well as therapists and women who are about to start their own businesses, by not only providing treatments but also by offering emotional support, helping them regain their true selves, and live a lighter life.
——This desire has become the unchanged foundation and belief of my work, even now as a mother raising children.
Q. Over 15 years and more than 10,000 treatments, what did you notice or hear repeatedly as concerns while touching clients' skin and bodies?
Many clients who visited my salon in the heart of Tokyo were physically and mentally exhausted, and their skin was chronically dry, due to their busy lives juggling work, childcare, and studies.
Regarding self-care, I heard a lot of concerns such as "moisturizing is troublesome" or "I can't keep it up."
I also often received questions about "what cosmetics or oils are right for me," and I constantly considered what care would be optimal for each person's skin type and lifestyle.
Through these experiences, I came to realize that "sustainable habits" are the essence of transforming both mind and skin.
That's why I strongly felt the need for a moisturizing care routine that anyone can easily incorporate and naturally continue.
Q. What was the situation or moment when you decided to create this lifestyle brand, MéTREAT TOKYO?
It was when my life profoundly changed after marriage andchildbirth.
With young children, my own care often took a backseat. Sleepless nights due to crying babies continued, and I found myself without mental or physical余裕, increasingly feeling "I don't know who I am anymore."
During those days, I started to reconsider, "What can I do?" and "What can I offer to the world beyond the confines of a salon?"
And then, the desire to address my clients' long-standing concerns not just through treatments but also through "products" emerged, leading to my decision to launch the brand.
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My dedication to SLOW OIL
Q. Among many categories, why was oil your first product?
For a therapist, oil has always been an indispensable part of treatments.
I've tried various types, including natural oils, water-soluble oils, and mineral oils, but I eventually settled on golden jojoba oil, extracted from jojoba seeds.
Golden jojoba oil is classified as a wax ester, similar to sebum, and boasts excellent skin compatibility, high moisturizing power, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, its versatility for hair and pore cleansing, facial care, and more is a significant advantage.
Having experienced its comfort and quality during treatments, I came to realize that oil is not just for moisturizing but can provide comprehensive care for the entire body.
I concluded that being able to effortlessly continue using it in a busy daily life and complete various care routines with just one product aligns with modern lifestyles. Therefore, I decided that "oil should be the first product to deliver" and commercialized it as the brand's first step.
Q. Please tell us about your future brand development and aspirations.
The fragrance, created through repeated trials with a perfumer, has been very well received by many people.
Going forward, we aim to expand our fragrance variations beyond the current line, allowing more people to choose "their favorite scent."
Furthermore, we are considering developing items that cater to various aspects of lifestyle, not limited to skincare, so that people can feel comfort in diverse everyday situations.
We hope to continue delivering products that allow people to cherish themselves in their daily lives.
