Tackling hardship leads to fulfillment
Kiyoshi Takasugi
Etch Hair Design is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Owner-hair stylist Kiyoshi Takasugi opened his second store last November and business is good. Being able to open a hair salon at the tender age of 28 may seem like the enterprising entrepreneur came from a wealthy family. But it's not so. Plenty of sacrifice and overcoming steep challenges, combined with a compelling charm, set Takasugi on his successful trajectory.
My father suddenly quit his job to study at a seminary
I was born in Osaka City as the youngest child of three brothers, one three years older and the other a twin sibling. My parents are pious Christians. My father was working for Osaka Gas and my mother was a salesperson for Chanel. But my father suddenly became a pastor before I got to elementary school and began to attend a seminary. He left his family for religious studies, and we were able to see him only during his summer school holidays.
We lived in a very small apartment which didn't even have a shower-room at that time. My mother worked extremely hard to raise us all by herself.
We moved to Ikeda city in Osaka when I was in grade 4. My father had become a pastor at home, and served as an advisor to the congregation whose members visited day and night. Because of that, I always looked after visitors' young children since I was in grade 4.
Worked daytime and went to high school at night
Because my father was in a seminary school and my mother was always working, I grew up very independently. I knew it was important to graduate from high school, but I didn't feel comfortable asking my parents to pay for my studies. Therefore, I worked for a meat business during the day and attended a part-time school at night. I worked from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening and attended the night high school from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
I was good at memorizing, and I could remember all four digits of a meat identification number denoting the meat type and parts. The company appreciated me for being quicker than a machine. I was often summoned for business trips lasting five days to assist in the opening of a new supermarket. That period was 21 hours of labor from 3 o'clock in the morning until midnight. My memory of meat identification numbers was top-level in the Osaka region and best in the company. When I had a chance to work with the management team, I always closely studied the most productive bosses.
My Mother's advice and the path to being a hair stylist
When I finished high school, I was enthusiastically recruited for a full time position by the meat company but I turned it down because it was not an industry I enjoyed. When I wondered whether I should follow the path of a fashion designer or a hairdresser, my mother said "You are good at taking care of young kids at our church, you are good at making conversation and have a good imagination. Don't you think you'd be suitable for a career as a hair stylist?"
My mother introduced me to a beauty teacher she knew. He was a famous-professional hair designer in Osaka, with a reputation for strict training. He yelled at students even if his underlings held their scissors the correct way. I continued working at the factory in the daytime, and I learned a lot of techniques while training with my teacher at night. I still visit him every time I return to Japan.
Studying in Canada with my parent's expectations and my own dreams
By the time I graduated from high school, my father's church was doing well, and he had taken on many American visitors.
One day, my father asked me: "I want you to help me work as a missionary in the future. Can you study abroad and learn English?"
At first, he requested that I do this for a year. I went to study at Christian Eston College in the town of Eston, Sask. From September to April I studied at this Canadian school, then returned to Japan every summer vacation where I studied under a hair design teacher. I continued working at the factory for about three years.
My parents wanted me to enrol in Christianity studies, but I didn't have much interest in faith. I met my former wife while studying in Eston. I was told if I graduate from a beauty vocational school, I could apply for an internship work visa. Therefore, I went to a Calgary beauty school for one year.
After graduation, I had a part-time job at a beauty salon called Angles. With the cooperation of the owner, I planned to apply for a work visa, but it didn't work out. Then my former wife suggested I marry her, so we were wed after returning to Japan.
She immediately returned to Canada and became a student. I stayed in Japan for a year until I got an immigrant visa, worked at the factory on weekdays, saved money and toiled at a beauty salon on weekends to refine my skills.
Challenging new life as a student and landed immigrant
It was 2006 when I returned to Canada as a landed immigrant. In order to work as a hair stylist, I sent out more than 20 resumes to hair salons, but no one employed me.
Eventually, a Russian-Canadian owner hired me on a contract and paid commission basis. My desk fee was $1,200 per month. I earned $2,000 in the beginning, only $800 remained in hand. My former wife who was back then a student, also worked part-time at Starbucks. I worked from 10:00 a.m. until 10 p.m. without a break. Pocket money was $100 a month. Since the salon was not facing a busy street, we had little chance of attracting new drop-in clients. So I stood outside on a busier street and asked people to be my hair cut models for free - and increased the number of customers. At that time, I always had nighttime dreams of competing in a beauty stylist contest. I put a mannequin next to the bed, so that I could practice hair cutting as soon as I got up. It was a tough time, but those challenges made me stronger and a better person. When starting, my technique was rough, but after continuous practice, with an eye to pursuing a dream, my skills were honed.
As a result, I welcomed satisfied customers. The number of my patrons increased to 200 in the first year, 400 in the second and 800 in the third. Perhaps my old school charm - aided by the fact I don't drink much and have never smoked - helped.
A goal is set to open his own salon in three years.
As soon as I got a job, I went to meet Mrs. Tomomi Kato who was a senior colleague at Angles beauty salon where I was working part-time, and told her, "I am planning to have my own salon in three years, so when the time comes, can you work with me?"
Three years later, I went to see Tomomi and asked, "Do you remember what I said three years ago?" She remembered that I was going to start my own salon. Tomomi accepted my headhunting offer and she started working as a senior stylist right from opening day.
It is absolutely indispensable to have highly-skilled hair stylists to run a successful salon. Without Tomomi, I wouldn't be able to operate Etch Hair Design.
When Tomomi took time off for maternity leave, luckily Ms. Tsuyuki Oba, current manager, started working for our salon. Both of them are very skillful and love the work. The three of us always compete in a friendly rivalry that only enhances our techniques.
For the first two years, I worked extremely hard to repay my business loan. Things were so busy I could barely utter a single word except a good morning greeting to Tomomi.
Do not become a stone, become a sponge
We opened a new salon in November, 2018. I'm now placing an emphasis on strengthening the training of new staff. When I hire new people, I tell them: "We have a lot of technical training and it is tough, but if you learn the skills you will gain confidence. It's not easy, but the skills you acquire are your wealth.”
“It is difficult to survive in this industry if you just do the same thing as others.”
Some Canadian-born staff were puzzled by my teaching style which is very particular on how to use scissors, and sometimes they were too frustrated and cried when they couldn't meet my demands. I want my staff members to be hair stylists who can earn anywhere in the future, so I tell them to swallow their pride and learn.
"Do not become a stone, become a sponge!" I say.
I provide detailed technical guidance over a half year to a year. To young Japanese staff, I also advise them to speak honorific Japanese. For those who do not respect others, that person will not gain respect.
Always a marathon runner at the start line
There has to be a good system to make my job run smoothly. In order to improve efficiency, determining priority is vital. Tackling these challenges gradually leads to a sense of achievement. I am strict with myself and strict with others.
In the marathon competition, we notice the person who is trying hard and cheer them on. Because I also do my best and work hard, I like people who work diligently. Such staff naturally remain around. It is easy to feel depressed if you compare yourself with other people. I always encourage myself saying "I can still do it, can't I?" So that I will not be defeated by myself. I am always at the start line, which maintains that sense of challenge.
Etch Hair Design
1410 - 4 St SW Calgary
Phone: (403) 457-5797
Etch Hair Design Core
B1F 203 - 8 Ave SW Calgary
Phone: (403) 475-6870
Website: www.etchhair.com
Kiyoshi Takasugi
He was born in 1981 in Osaka as the youngest of three brothers. At the request of his father, a Christian pastor, he studied at Christian Eston College seminary school in Saskatchewan. He arrived in 2001 and stayed for three years. He then graduated from a beauty school in Calgary. Takasugi married a Canadian woman in 2005 and moved to Calgary as an immigrant in 2006. He opened Etch Hair Design in 2009. He has since opened the second Etch Hair Design Core in November, 2018.
Kiyoshi Takasugi
Etch Hair Design is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Owner-hair stylist Kiyoshi Takasugi opened his second store last November and business is good. Being able to open a hair salon at the tender age of 28 may seem like the enterprising entrepreneur came from a wealthy family. But it's not so. Plenty of sacrifice and overcoming steep challenges, combined with a compelling charm, set Takasugi on his successful trajectory.
My father suddenly quit his job to study at a seminary
I was born in Osaka City as the youngest child of three brothers, one three years older and the other a twin sibling. My parents are pious Christians. My father was working for Osaka Gas and my mother was a salesperson for Chanel. But my father suddenly became a pastor before I got to elementary school and began to attend a seminary. He left his family for religious studies, and we were able to see him only during his summer school holidays.
We lived in a very small apartment which didn't even have a shower-room at that time. My mother worked extremely hard to raise us all by herself.
We moved to Ikeda city in Osaka when I was in grade 4. My father had become a pastor at home, and served as an advisor to the congregation whose members visited day and night. Because of that, I always looked after visitors' young children since I was in grade 4.
Worked daytime and went to high school at night
Because my father was in a seminary school and my mother was always working, I grew up very independently. I knew it was important to graduate from high school, but I didn't feel comfortable asking my parents to pay for my studies. Therefore, I worked for a meat business during the day and attended a part-time school at night. I worked from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening and attended the night high school from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
I was good at memorizing, and I could remember all four digits of a meat identification number denoting the meat type and parts. The company appreciated me for being quicker than a machine. I was often summoned for business trips lasting five days to assist in the opening of a new supermarket. That period was 21 hours of labor from 3 o'clock in the morning until midnight. My memory of meat identification numbers was top-level in the Osaka region and best in the company. When I had a chance to work with the management team, I always closely studied the most productive bosses.
My Mother's advice and the path to being a hair stylist
When I finished high school, I was enthusiastically recruited for a full time position by the meat company but I turned it down because it was not an industry I enjoyed. When I wondered whether I should follow the path of a fashion designer or a hairdresser, my mother said "You are good at taking care of young kids at our church, you are good at making conversation and have a good imagination. Don't you think you'd be suitable for a career as a hair stylist?"
My mother introduced me to a beauty teacher she knew. He was a famous-professional hair designer in Osaka, with a reputation for strict training. He yelled at students even if his underlings held their scissors the correct way. I continued working at the factory in the daytime, and I learned a lot of techniques while training with my teacher at night. I still visit him every time I return to Japan.
Studying in Canada with my parent's expectations and my own dreams
By the time I graduated from high school, my father's church was doing well, and he had taken on many American visitors.
One day, my father asked me: "I want you to help me work as a missionary in the future. Can you study abroad and learn English?"
At first, he requested that I do this for a year. I went to study at Christian Eston College in the town of Eston, Sask. From September to April I studied at this Canadian school, then returned to Japan every summer vacation where I studied under a hair design teacher. I continued working at the factory for about three years.
My parents wanted me to enrol in Christianity studies, but I didn't have much interest in faith. I met my former wife while studying in Eston. I was told if I graduate from a beauty vocational school, I could apply for an internship work visa. Therefore, I went to a Calgary beauty school for one year.
After graduation, I had a part-time job at a beauty salon called Angles. With the cooperation of the owner, I planned to apply for a work visa, but it didn't work out. Then my former wife suggested I marry her, so we were wed after returning to Japan.
She immediately returned to Canada and became a student. I stayed in Japan for a year until I got an immigrant visa, worked at the factory on weekdays, saved money and toiled at a beauty salon on weekends to refine my skills.
Challenging new life as a student and landed immigrant
It was 2006 when I returned to Canada as a landed immigrant. In order to work as a hair stylist, I sent out more than 20 resumes to hair salons, but no one employed me.
Eventually, a Russian-Canadian owner hired me on a contract and paid commission basis. My desk fee was $1,200 per month. I earned $2,000 in the beginning, only $800 remained in hand. My former wife who was back then a student, also worked part-time at Starbucks. I worked from 10:00 a.m. until 10 p.m. without a break. Pocket money was $100 a month. Since the salon was not facing a busy street, we had little chance of attracting new drop-in clients. So I stood outside on a busier street and asked people to be my hair cut models for free - and increased the number of customers. At that time, I always had nighttime dreams of competing in a beauty stylist contest. I put a mannequin next to the bed, so that I could practice hair cutting as soon as I got up. It was a tough time, but those challenges made me stronger and a better person. When starting, my technique was rough, but after continuous practice, with an eye to pursuing a dream, my skills were honed.
As a result, I welcomed satisfied customers. The number of my patrons increased to 200 in the first year, 400 in the second and 800 in the third. Perhaps my old school charm - aided by the fact I don't drink much and have never smoked - helped.
A goal is set to open his own salon in three years.
As soon as I got a job, I went to meet Mrs. Tomomi Kato who was a senior colleague at Angles beauty salon where I was working part-time, and told her, "I am planning to have my own salon in three years, so when the time comes, can you work with me?"
Three years later, I went to see Tomomi and asked, "Do you remember what I said three years ago?" She remembered that I was going to start my own salon. Tomomi accepted my headhunting offer and she started working as a senior stylist right from opening day.
It is absolutely indispensable to have highly-skilled hair stylists to run a successful salon. Without Tomomi, I wouldn't be able to operate Etch Hair Design.
When Tomomi took time off for maternity leave, luckily Ms. Tsuyuki Oba, current manager, started working for our salon. Both of them are very skillful and love the work. The three of us always compete in a friendly rivalry that only enhances our techniques.
For the first two years, I worked extremely hard to repay my business loan. Things were so busy I could barely utter a single word except a good morning greeting to Tomomi.
Do not become a stone, become a sponge
We opened a new salon in November, 2018. I'm now placing an emphasis on strengthening the training of new staff. When I hire new people, I tell them: "We have a lot of technical training and it is tough, but if you learn the skills you will gain confidence. It's not easy, but the skills you acquire are your wealth.”
“It is difficult to survive in this industry if you just do the same thing as others.”
Some Canadian-born staff were puzzled by my teaching style which is very particular on how to use scissors, and sometimes they were too frustrated and cried when they couldn't meet my demands. I want my staff members to be hair stylists who can earn anywhere in the future, so I tell them to swallow their pride and learn.
"Do not become a stone, become a sponge!" I say.
I provide detailed technical guidance over a half year to a year. To young Japanese staff, I also advise them to speak honorific Japanese. For those who do not respect others, that person will not gain respect.
Always a marathon runner at the start line
There has to be a good system to make my job run smoothly. In order to improve efficiency, determining priority is vital. Tackling these challenges gradually leads to a sense of achievement. I am strict with myself and strict with others.
In the marathon competition, we notice the person who is trying hard and cheer them on. Because I also do my best and work hard, I like people who work diligently. Such staff naturally remain around. It is easy to feel depressed if you compare yourself with other people. I always encourage myself saying "I can still do it, can't I?" So that I will not be defeated by myself. I am always at the start line, which maintains that sense of challenge.
Etch Hair Design
1410 - 4 St SW Calgary
Phone: (403) 457-5797
Etch Hair Design Core
B1F 203 - 8 Ave SW Calgary
Phone: (403) 475-6870
Website: www.etchhair.com
Kiyoshi Takasugi
He was born in 1981 in Osaka as the youngest of three brothers. At the request of his father, a Christian pastor, he studied at Christian Eston College seminary school in Saskatchewan. He arrived in 2001 and stayed for three years. He then graduated from a beauty school in Calgary. Takasugi married a Canadian woman in 2005 and moved to Calgary as an immigrant in 2006. He opened Etch Hair Design in 2009. He has since opened the second Etch Hair Design Core in November, 2018.
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2019 Spring
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前号（2019年4月号） Japanab Home 次号（2019年7月号）
前号（2019年4月号） Japanab Home 次号（2019年7月号）
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