How I Started a Business in the Netherlands (Without Ever Traveling Abroad)

ERI
Aug 28
3 min read

Hello! My name is ERI.

My whole life, I'd never even been on a trip abroad. But about a year ago, it just hit me—"I'm going to be a lash artist overseas!" My friends were completely shocked, but they also said, "That's so you, ERI!" and sent me off with a big smile.

At first, I was thinking of moving to Mexico. But then I learned that in the Netherlands, it's relatively easy for Japanese people to start a business. I was also drawn to the child-first and multicultural educational environment. So, I decided to move to Rotterdam, the Netherlands—a country of immigrants—bringing along my seven-year-old son, my elderly mother, and my two dogs.

I know, I know. It sounds like a crazy blog title: "The Kansai-Dialect Japanese Lash Artist Who Started a Business in the Netherlands Out of the Blue." I even laugh when I write it myself! But as cliché as it might sound, dreams really do come true if you wish for them. Once you start moving toward that dream, the wind changes in your favor, and things just start to work out.

So no matter your age, life is too short to think "that's probably impossible" or blame your circumstances. I really want everyone to find a way to be happy.

Anyway, I’m getting off track, haha! I only speak the Kansai dialect of Japanese. My English is still a work in progress, and I’m also studying Spanish because I like it more. As for Dutch… I've almost given up. lol.

I was born in Higashi-Osaka City, and I'm the eldest of four siblings. People often say, "The eldest is always so dependable and serious, right?" I wonder if that's true about me, haha. Well, you'll know right away once we meet and talk! I'm pretty easy to read.

I've always been the type of person who finds it boring to be the same as everyone else. I love to show my individuality. If I'm invited to a party, I'm the one who wants to win the Best Dressed award. (I never do, though.) As a genuine Kansai local, I love to chat. I love having fun conversations about anything and everything—even love stories and gossip! If I say, "There was a sale somewhere! Don't quote me on that, though," please don't mind. That's just a classic Kansai phrase.

I love my job in the beauty industry. In my twenties, I worked at a hair salon specializing in hair styling in Osaka's Minami and Kitashinchi districts. Back then, "Mori-hair" was all the rage, so the bigger you made your hair, the cuter it was! I wonder if anyone out there knows what I'm talking about. My favorite magazine was "Ageha," haha. I'm sure that gives away my age.

After all that, I gave birth to a son and became a single mother. I decided to make full use of my national beauty license and changed my specialization to lashes. I was fascinated by the depth of eyelash extensions and perms and have been working hard to improve my skills every day. Did you know that some people have curly eyelashes or multiple layers of lashes? It's not a well-known fact, but if you can identify these issues, you can solve most eyelash problems!

I tend to talk a lot about lashes, so if you're interested, please listen to my stories and just say, "Oh, really?" lol. Or, if I get the chance, I’ll talk about them on this blog again. I'll also be sure to write more about my journey of starting a business in the Netherlands, and what it was like to immigrate from Japan with two dogs.

For now, that's it for my simple introduction. If you're interested in my detailed life story, you'll just have to talk to me in person! lol. Or maybe not.

Check out my Instagram. Please follow me! ♡