52: Moeko Suzuki, Founder, StartUp Lady & Tailor Innovations

<p>Moeko Suzuki provides valuable insight as a young global-minded entrepreneur having studied in the UK, US and established two organizations in Japan – StartUp Lady and Tailor Innovations. After graduating from an American University, Ms. Suzuki returned to Japan and worked for a company specializing in foreign direct investment as a business developer. After working for two companies, she founded Tailor Innovations, a company that provides a variety of IT and consulting services including manufacturing of IoT products, live streaming support, and helping Japanese business expand abroad. In 2015 she co-founded StartUp Lady, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect and help educate a diverse community of entrepreneurs who are starting up their business.</p> <p> </p> <p>Giving up a stable job, Ms. Suzuki decided to pursue her dream and establish Tailor Innovations. Ms. Suzuki initially faced many challenges such as being unable to communicate with engineers in creating the operating platform. Ms. Suzuki also found it challenging to grow her network as a young entrepreneur without former connection. When recruiting her team, Ms. Suzuki focused on hiring people who did not want to work in the traditional Japanese company culture but be in a more flat, transparent organization. Her company also provides flexible working styles for people who are interested in holding a side job. Ms. Suzuki notes that the change in Japanese government policies around 2017 have made it much easier for foreigners to work in Japan and the recent pandemic has also allowed more companies to permit their employees working more than one job.</p> <p> </p> <p>On motivating people, Ms. Suzuki notes the importance of having close communication with each individual to understand their needs and where they want to direct their energy. In order to establish this trusting relationships, Ms. Suzuki has frequent one-on-one meetings at least 1-2 times a week. Ms. Suzuki also actively participates in social events with her employees to bond with t