It's like winning the lottery

I joined Sekisui House mid-career at the age of 27 and was assigned as a salesperson to the housing exhibition hall at the Saitama sales office.

After that, I was transferred to a department that handles rental housing orders. Looking back, I think route sales suited my personality. I was able to receive a steady stream of orders thanks to introductions from many people, including JA, financial institutions, real estate companies, and accounting firms. I was also satisfied with my income.

During the bubble economy, there was entertainment almost every night. Thanks to that, I even got better at singing (laughs). I was blessed with good colleagues, and although the work was busy, it was fulfilling.

At the time, Sekisui House had a culture that encouraged taking on challenges. I was able to give shape to my own ideas, such as sending new employees to work at JA or planning trips for apartment owners. These led to repeat orders, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Also, being involved in the general fixed-term land leasehold business had a major impact on my later life. I wanted to dedicate my life to the spread of fixed-term land leaseholds, so I took early retirement at the age of 57. I had been with the company for 30 years.

During that long life as a company employee, there is a phrase from a boss that I still cannot forget.

"Getting into Sekisui House is like winning the lottery."

At the time, I could not fully understand the meaning of that.

However, after retiring, I came to realize the weight of those words many times.

When I published a business book after starting my own company, I received requests for lectures and introductions to projects from Sekisui House, as well as accounting firms and JA, which were my business partners during my time as a salaryman. I am truly grateful that they continue to support me even after I have left the front lines.

I have now been a member of the Sekiho-kai for 14 years.

I had never participated in an event before. However, this year, the participation invitation emails that kept arriving caught my attention.

"The event is in danger of being cancelled because the number of applicants has not reached the capacity. Please consider participating."

That was the content.

The third invitation email listed the names of those who had already expressed their intention to participate. There were many nostalgic names lined up there.

"So that person is doing well, too."

While I was picturing each of their faces, before I knew it, I had pressed the participation button. Then, the capacity was reached, and the event was successfully confirmed.

The event date was July 22nd. The meeting place was Hinode Pier.

However, as the day approached, for some reason, I started to feel heavy-hearted.

There were three reasons.

The first thing was seasickness.

When I was young, I experienced terrible seasickness on the Seikan Ferry. The memory of writhing on the bottom of the ship is still vivid even now.

An acquaintance comforted me by saying,

"As you get older, your semicircular canals become less sensitive, so you won't get seasick anymore."

But my anxiety didn't disappear. Just in case, I also prepared motion sickness medicine.

The second thing was my attire.

The forecast for the day was for a midsummer day. I went to Workman to buy a parasol, which is popular lately, but they were sold out. Instead, I was drawn to the word "cooling" and bought a polo shirt.

The third thing was the anxiety of whether I would be able to match the faces and names of people I hadn't seen in 14 years.

However, that was completely unnecessary worry.

Some people had white hair. Some had thinning hair. Even so, the moment I saw their faces, I knew who they were.

And when the conversation started, time rewound in an instant.

Stories of sales struggles, failures, and successes. The events of those days came back to life one after another.

It was when I was talking about sales struggles with someone from Chiba whom I met for the first time.

"We are comrades-in-arms, aren't we?"

I nodded deeply at those words.

Colleagues who were chased by numbers, racked their brains for the sake of customers, and kept running together.

We were certainly comrades-in-arms.

On that day, we enjoyed delicious food and drinks while reminiscing. Before I knew it, I felt as if I had regained my youth.

On the train home, feeling tipsy, I remembered those words from my boss.

"Being able to join Sekisui House is like winning the lottery."

I didn't understand it when I was young.

But I understand it now.

To be given the opportunity to take on challenges, to meet so many colleagues, and to be supported even after retirement.

Finding a company like that was truly as lucky as winning the lottery.

To everyone at Sekihokai, thank you for the wonderful time.

I look forward to the day we can meet again at the next event.