Two weeks have passed since I founded Ashitas

Two weeks have passed since I founded Ashitas Inc. in April.
Although I am still a novice as a business owner, the feeling that 'it has begun' is growing stronger every day.

Even in this short period, to be honest,
there are more things that make me think than things that are going well.

Things I have realized as my schedule fills up

Thankfully, I have received various offers immediately after founding the company, and my schedule is gradually filling up.

As I meet and talk with many people, I feel that
I have started to see things from a slightly different perspective than before.

When I was working as a civil servant,
my focus was primarily on 'how to make initiatives meaningful for the region.'

On the other hand, now, in addition to that,
the perspective of 'is this viable as a business' is always present.

It is not a matter of which is correct,
but rather a sense that what I see has changed as my position has changed.

And what I am feeling strongly once again is
the simple reality that no matter how good an initiative is, it will not last if it does not generate profit.

A good initiative does not equal a lasting initiative.

I am currently experiencing this simple yet difficult truth firsthand.

Also, as I talk to many people in this way,
I have a sense that I can see the structural themes that the region faces in the background of each initiative and issue.

Perhaps the accumulation of these dialogues itself
might become a hint for the next business.

What I, who have been doing 'profitable tourism,' am now being asked

In the adventure travel business that I have been involved in as a person in charge for Tsurui Village since fiscal year 2024, I have consistently worked with the theme of 'profitable tourism.'

In order for a project to be meaningful to the region,
it is necessary to generate solid economic results, not just simple interaction.

That is how I have been proceeding with my work.

However, now, the question is coming back to me once again.

'Is this a profitable model as my own business?'

Talking about "profitable tourism" in a region and
creating a "profitable business" yourself are similar, yet completely different.

In fact, I feel the latter is far more difficult.

Not running away from "earning"

To be honest, I feel that within the phrase "for the sake of the region,"
there was room to look away from "earning money" somewhere along the line.

However, as long as I am doing this as a business, it is simple.

If you don't earn, it won't continue.
If it doesn't continue, nothing will be left for the region in the end.

I feel I have reached a phase where I must accept this obvious premise as my own responsibility.

One of Ashitaz's initiatives: "Regional Business Produce"

One of Ashitaz's businesses is regional business produce.

This is an initiative that starts from regional resources and issues,
and breaks them down into a form that can function as a business.

・Design of tourism content
・Building mechanisms for public-private partnerships
・Design for business viability (including revenue structure)

It is not limited to mere planning or accompaniment support,
but is premised on "being involved until it is implemented."

However, there is the same question here as well.

That is,
"Is this initiative itself a business that can properly earn money?"

It is not just about creating a beautiful business,
but whether I can see it through to creating a sustainable structure.

I feel that I am truly being tested right now.

Supported. But, I will not take that for granted.

Over these past two weeks, I have realized how much I am supported by many people.

However, I also believe that I must not take that for granted.

Ultimately,
the responsibility to make it a viable business of our own lies with me.

I want to move forward without forgetting this obvious fact.

Finally

It has only been two weeks since we started.
We are in a situation where we have essentially accomplished nothing yet.

Even so, there is one thing that is clear.

That is,
that we will not make this a safe or conventional business.

Both for the region and for ourselves,
I want to create a business that continues in a meaningful way.