We spoke with Mr. Kono, who works as assistant manager at two stores: VASARA KIMONO Kamakura Komachi-dori store and VASARA KIMONO Kamakura Ekimae store.

The Kamakura Komachi-dori store and the Kamakura Ekimae store are not only the hub of tourism in Kamakura, including Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, but are also bustling with a diverse range of customers during the Shonan fireworks festival in the summer and coming-of-age and graduation ceremonies in the winter and spring.

-Please tell us your profile.

My name is Rina Kono, and I am the assistant manager of VASARA Kamakura Station Store and Komachi-dori Store. I was born and raised in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. I am the eldest of three siblings.

-What job did you do before joining the company?

I worked as a part-timer at a restaurant.

-What made you decide to join VASARA?

After graduating from hair and makeup school, I had left the beauty industry, but a friend told me that the Kamakura Komachi-dori store was looking for opening staff, so I still wanted to work as a hair and makeup artist, so even though I had no work experience, I applied.

-What kind of work are you currently in charge of?

I provide guidance to customers, advice on coordination, and counseling while providing hair styling that matches the coordination. I also provide guidance and communication to improve the skills of part-time staff, and I instruct all full-time staff so that they can work towards budgets and goals.

-What do you value in your work?

What is important to me is to make sure that our customers feel glad that they chose VASARA. To achieve that, the atmosphere in the store, including the part-time staff, is important. So in order for the part-time staff to enjoy their work, I also enjoy working with them, and as their colleagues we cover for each other's weaknesses and help develop their strengths.

-What is the happiest episode that has happened to you so far?

A customer for whom I did the hair styling and coordination was very happy and satisfied, saying that her hair styling and coordination are cuter than when she had her coming-of-age ceremony! At her coming-of-age ceremony, her hairstyle did not turn out as she had imagined, and she did not have good memories of wearing a kimono, but this rental made her interested in kimonos.

-What has been the most difficult episode so far?

I had no practical experience in hair styling, and had never styled my own hair or used curling irons, so it was difficult for me to develop the skills to satisfy customers.

-What do you think is good about your store?

Both stores in Kamakura are close to the station, so it's easy to go sightseeing wearing a kimono wherever you go. We have a wide range of part-time staff members, from teenagers to those in their 50s, so we can serve customers according to their needs, and staff members of different age groups work with mutual respect.

-What have you gained from working at VASARA?

What I gained from working at VASARA is, of course, the technical skills I gained that I had never been able to do before, but more than anything, I was able to make friends that I can respect and rely on. I spend more time with them than with my family, so we talk about things other than work, go out to eat, and travel together.

-Please tell us about your future plans for your business and operations.

My goal is to increase the number of people using VASARA. In addition to wearing kimonos with friends or loved ones on the town, I would like to see more customers use VASARA for important events in their lives, such as Shichi-Go-San ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, coming-of-age ceremonies, and weddings, and I would like to see more customers choose to wear kimonos at VASARA at any time.

-What is your favorite travel destination?

it's Osaka!!

-What are your hobbies and special skills?

My hobby is going to live music concerts. I get the energy to work hard at my job by going to live music concerts, and I can work hard both at work and in my private life.

-Please give a message to those who are considering applying!

Even people with no work experience, like me, can gain skills and work here. Of course, there are many things to remember in order to improve your skills, and there are many challenges other than technical skills, but you can learn techniques from experienced staff, improve your skills, and try various things. You can also see the customers' happy faces up close, which is rewarding. If you like customer service and have even the slightest interest in kimonos and hair and makeup, you will have reliable colleagues after joining the company and I will support you, so let's work happily! VASARA is a company that will continue to grow in the future. We look forward to your joining us!