| Interesting Things About Japan's First Self-Made Female Billionaire! 1. She was willing to risk everything. Uninspired by the jobs available to her in Japan, Shinohara moved to Europe where she was introduced to the idea of temporary jobs. Upon her return to Japan in the 1970s, Shinohara launched her own temp agency, but at the time, temping was illegal in the Asian country. Instead of changing her business idea, she chose to risk it all. “I used to ask myself: I wonder what it’s like in jail. How big are the rooms? Is there a toilet or a window?” she told Harvard Business Review in 2009. 2. She never intended to become a billionaire. Unlike many self-made millionaires and billionaires, Shinohara never intended to become a member of the 1 percent. Rather, she "want[ed] to contribute to society through business,” she said. Simply put, Shinohara just wanted to make her mark on the world. 4. She provided an opportunity for Japanese women. "The importance of women being able to work as well as raise children left an indelible impression,” she told Forbes Asia. After marrying and having kids, it was the norm for Japanese women to just be housewives and it was difficult or uncomfortable for them to jump back in the workforce. On top of that, there were also few opportunities for them. Shinohara’s company addressed this issue. “Our company was able to grow by matching Japanese women’s underlying motive,” a spokesperson for the company said. 5. Hiring men saved her business. In the beginning, the company was proud to employ only women -- it seemed like an action that aligned with the core values of the company. But when she noticed a sales slump, Shinohara decided to explore the idea of hiring men. Shinohara listened to her instincts, brought in men and immediately saw an increase in sales. She found that a balance between men and women was the backbone of her company’s success. P.S. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. |
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