Beyond "I want to quit"—The feelings that arose from a meeting with a beauty assistant

Beyond "I want to quit"—Thoughts Born from a Meeting with a Hairdresser's Assistant

This is Tanaka from BLINK SCISSORS CASE.

Many hair salons in Kansai are closed on Mondays, so the other day I had a meeting with a hairdresser's assistant to discuss scissor case production.

This is also a time when things have settled down after coming-of-age ceremonies and kimono dressing, leaving a little more free time.

I also started as an assistant

Today, I work as a freelance hairdresser alongside my job making leather products, but of course, I also had my time as an assistant. That was over 10 years ago.

I didn't have any special dreams, and I wasn't very good at studying, so I aimed to become a hairdresser because I wanted to "learn a trade."

Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I could have tried harder to learn more, and I have various thoughts. But ultimately, I'm glad I chose to be a hairdresser.

From a business meeting to a "counseling session"

As the scissor case meeting progressed, the conversation somehow turned into a discussion about the future as a hairdresser.

Feeling nostalgic, thinking "I used to worry about that too," I shared what I could, drawing from my current experience.

There are days you want to quit, but

Being an assistant is really tough. You might be troubled by unreasonable seniors, or even harassed. When those days continue, I think there are times you just want to quit.

However, I believe it's truly sad to give up on your dream there.

Wasn't your reason for wanting to become a hairdresser to cut the hair of someone you care about, or to make someone smile?

For that feeling to be lost because of an unpleasant senior in front of you... I think it's such a waste and truly regrettable.

I want you to experience being a stylist at least once

Of course, if it's truly painful, it's okay to quit, and it's okay to run away. But I sincerely hope that you'll experience the joy of making customers smile as a stylist at least once.

I pour my heart into making scissor cases

I will put such feelings into the scissor case I'm making this time.

Tools with heart enrich the soul of the person who owns them. I believe they can become a presence that gently encourages that person.

From now on, I will continue to carefully craft each item, hoping that my creations can help someone.