HI, my name is Ali the owner of blue notes. I just started my Shopify in Japan. If you have a similar situation I would love to connect.
Im a proud Filipina, living and working in Japan as an ALT, assistant language teacher. I love teaching and I have an unending passion in teaching. However I also love crafting and I have a dream of owning a stationary shop.
I have always loved making stuff on my own. I love journaling since I was in high school and my love for stationaries was born from this hobby.
Building your shop in Japan is not as easy as I’d though. First of all you have to know the language since some services does not support English. Here are more things I learned while setting up my business and promoting it.
- Japanese is necessary
As I mentioned above, knowing and understanding the language is kinda necessary I have received a lot of phone calls from the services I have applied and everything was in Japanese.
It is kinda funny because even me who has lived here for 9 years. There are still many technical words that I don’t understand.
Japan has three major shipping companies, they are Japan post, Yamato and Sagawa express. I use all three of them and I’d say it would have been very difficult to setup meetings and of business with them if you know little Japanese.
So, Im very glad I studied Japanese hard when I arrived in Japan. I also recommend knowing at lest elementary Kanji (Chinese characters) before setting up your store.
2. The skills I learned when I built my website is valuable
I’d say again that setting up my Shopify store would be more difficult and would have taken months if I did now have the skills of building and customising my website.
It was actually fun because I already have the experience on building websites.
3. You need connections
I am so lucky I have Japanese friends. I needed some connection to promote my handmade products and Im so glad I have the right people for it around me.
I had friends who introduced me to markets and events in our town. There I was able to showcase my products and it is very rewarding when you find the right people to buy your products.
I will never forget the joy I had with my first customer.
4. Consistency is the key
This is actually one of my mottos in life. I believe in the power of consistency but I also know its hard to be consistent . There will be times when you are pulled by work, family or friend duties and you forget to post, or update. But thats okay as long as you get back on track. The most important things is showing up everyday.
5. Never stop dreaming and learning
My dream brought me to where I am now. I was able to have the courage to open a shop because of my dreams. So never stop dreaming and never stop learning.
My Uni professor used to tell us there is always a room for improvement and this has been stuck in me. I follow this as