A New Cycle for Protecting Skin Health and the 'Employee-First' Standard That Creates Peace of Mind. [Cheers Member Introduction Vol. 3 (Part 2)]

Hello everyone! This is the CHOKIP marketing team ☺️
For our third Cheers member interview, we are bringing you the second part of our conversation with Yoshiki Imamura, owner of 'Dog Care Salon LUCIANNA' and 'Dog Care Salon LUCERA by LUCIANNA' 📣

In the first part, we asked about Mr. Imamura's origins as a groomer, his professional dedication to 'skin care and hair care,' and the challenges he has faced as a business owner 🐶

In this second part, we will cover the 'discomfort' Mr. Imamura feels regarding the status quo in the field and the grooming industry, as well as his 'employee-first' philosophy for creating an environment where staff can truly thrive!

Discomfort with the industry norm of 'shampooing while cutting'

— Are there any frustrating moments you experience while working with dogs and their owners in the field where you feel, 'I wish it were like this instead'?

What I feel uncomfortable about and wish were different is how the frequency of grooming is perceived.
It is often assumed that 'about 30 days (once a month)' is standard, but I don't feel that is necessarily the best approach.

While it's a bit different from humans, people shampoo daily to stay clean, but some only get a haircut once a month or every two to three months. However, for dogs, shampooing and cutting are bundled together. I feel uncomfortable with that premise itself, and I believe that if we consider the health of their skin and fur, we should think about them separately.

The optimal proposal of 'once every two weeks' to avoid damaging a dog's skin

— To resolve that discomfort, what kind of proposals do you make at your salon?

At our salon, we recommend shampooing 'about once every two weeks'.
We tell owners, 'If you shampoo about once every two weeks, it's easier to keep them in a clean state. You can get a haircut whenever you notice it's getting long.'
As for the cycle, the image is to alternate between 'shampooing every two weeks' and 'shampoo and cut'.
When considering the condition of a dog's skin and fur, I believe this is one of the options for maintaining a clean and healthy state.

It is important to choose shampoo based on visit frequency and the condition of the skin and coat.
Using products that don't match the frequency can sometimes put a strain on a dog's skin or coat, so we are mindful of providing care that suits each individual dog.

'Peace of mind' for customers born from a fulfilling personal life

— Looking at the grooming industry today, is there anything you want for your juniors or your salon staff?

To begin with, this industry is often seen as 'tough to make a lifelong career,' which leads people to leave and contributes to labor shortages. As a result, the environment where there are people to teach you disappears... I feel this negative cycle while being in this industry.
That is exactly why I want them to work in a proper shop or environment where they feel rewarded.
That's why I always tell my employees, 'This is an employee-first shop'.

We have established systems where hard work is properly rewarded, creating a foundation where staff can grow positively.
I believe that by being employee-first, if employees enjoy working and can take home a proper salary, it will result in better service for our customers.
It is difficult for people to try hard for someone else if their own life isn't fulfilling.
First, I believe that 'peace of mind' is only born when you have a state where you can live your own life with security, so I have always thought that setting that up first is important.

— Could you share a happy episode where your daily study sessions or that 'system for fairly evaluating hard work' took shape?

Speaking of employees, just recently at Interpets Osaka, one of our employees won a special award in the 'Salon Style' entry class (under 3 years). Since I taught that employee the techniques myself, I was truly happy that they achieved results. I felt that what I had been doing was rewarded, and I was very moved.

Also, we have customers experience the skin care and hair care we value, and we sometimes receive happy feedback from them.
While it is a bit difficult to say that skin care and hair care are 'very obvious' to the eye, as they continue, 'the condition of their skin and fur has changed' or 'it really is different from others' is something we have been told.
Hearing that kind of customer feedback every day is what makes me happiest.

Thoughts on 'CHOKIP Cheers' to positively change the entire industry and the future beyond

— Why did you decide to join the 'CHOKIP Cheers' members this time?

Through talking with Mr. Sakuma for a long time, I resonated with his thoughts on the field and the industry, and I myself held the desire that CHOKIP Cheers advocates: 'I want to liven up this industry' and 'I want to improve the parts that are going wrong.'
I thought that in order to change something for the whole industry, not just myself, it would be easier to change if we worked as a team, so I joined.
For me, an 'ideal salon' is a salon where employees can work happily without worrying about their livelihood.
With the 'employee-first' philosophy I advocate now, I want to create a good cycle starting from nurturing people.

— Finally, could you give us the words you most want to convey to groomers who are about to take a new step forward?

I think it's important to take a step forward without fear, so please just go for it!
In today's world, with social media, there is more information that is easier to access than in the past. I think it's becoming an environment where it's easier to get support, such as entering contests or going to seminars to start something new.
I think it's becoming an era where it's easier to take that step, so that's exactly why I want you to take that step without fear.

— Thank you very much for all your valuable stories today!
*Content as of the interview in July 2026

<From CHOKIP>
A high level of professionalism that questions the industry norm of 'shampooing while cutting' and logically pursues the lifelong skin and fur health of dogs.
And, the creation of a warm, employee-first environment based on the belief that 'only when the staff themselves are fulfilled can they make customers happy.'
Mr. Imamura's words and initiatives were filled with deep affection for the staff he works with and for the future of this industry 😊
Thank you very much for your time despite your busy schedule!