Within Japan’s thriving business landscape, there remains a gender-based inequality when we examine the number of female leaders and presidents compared to their male counterparts. Several factors such as lower ratio of female managers, an overwhelmingly greater burden of domestic chores on women than men, fewer connections and funds, and the lack of supporters and experts who understand women's businesses contribute to this inequality. One of the greatest hurdles women business owners face comes in the form of challenges in continuing a business during the initial years.
Research has suggested that female-owned businesses that have existed for at least four years are far more profitable than their male counterparts, reflecting the need for support during initial years to bridge the experience gap, and allow these businesses to flourish. To remedy these challenges, Colabolabo, a Tokyo-based organization was established to support the unique challenges faced by female presidents, entrepreneurs, and business owners in continuing businesses, to boost the number of female-owned businesses in the world. Through an ecosystem of female presidents and diverse support services, Colabolabo makes business continuation possible for a larger number of women-owned businesses.
Inclusive Range of Services
Catering to women presidents from a broad range of backgrounds from high-end female entrepreneurs to those that are still developing a business plan or are in the nascent stages of business development, Colabolabo offers an assortment of inclusive services and resources that help businesses grow. Seminars helpful for businesses to visualize the direction and strengths of the business, as well as introductions to outside directorships in publicly traded companies, are just a few measures that company takes to help businesses grow.
The company also regularly organizes information exchange meetings with themes for each tier, providing opportunities for discussions tailored to the needs of each industry and stage of the clients’ careers. The revolutionary platform by Colabolabo, ‘Women Presidents.net’, is dedicated to supporting business continuity, and makes a range of support services in one place to allow women entrepreneurs and women business owners to continue and advance their businesses with time.
“No matter what stage you are at, our goal is to provide the tools to expand business possibilities. Our female presidents belong to diverse age groups from their 20s to 60s, and range from those with a wealth of business experience to those who are considering starting a business for the first time.
That is why we believe it is important to create a place where they can share useful information according to their experience and careers. We don't just provide useful business information, sometimes we help people grow and balance their personal lives as well”, shares Kyoko Yokota, Director, Colabolabo.
The company’s services are meticulously developed and designed to help women presidents overcome challenges in business management and growth by addressing specific complexities they face, and offering the essential resources required for sustainably growing a small specialized business, while fostering an environment that instills in them the confidence needed to successfully expand their businesses.
Through this platform, the company also promotes networking and the development of a community of driven business owners by deepening connections among women entrepreneurs. The firm’s J300 Series of events and awards, launched over sixteen years ago, is a beaming example of the kind of events that it hosts to create opportunities for business owning women to collaborate and do business with companies. These events also present opportunities for women entrepreneurs in every region to develop businesses in local communities.
“We provide management information and funding support for women business owners, and the tools they need to expand their businesses. We also provide a platform for women business owners with limited time to efficiently obtain information, thereby reducing the burden of management and allowing them to focus on their businesses. Also important is our support of PR activities. We place their names on lists of female presidents and publicize their businesses through audio media, columns, and awards, helping them gain recognition for their businesses and seize further business opportunities”, further adds Yokota.
Colabolabo, with its strength in collaboration with companies large and small, supports women entrepreneurs to make social changes
Alongside these services, Colabolabo is actively cooperating in efforts to support small-scale female business owners together with a global SNS media management company and a financial company.
Future Roadmap
Specializing in creating collaborations with companies large and small, Colabolabo is primarily focused on collaborations with large companies. The company is currently partnering with NN Life Japan, a member of NN Group to support women business owners in the area of business succession, and received the GoodDesign Award for 2024, which has 80 percent recognition in Japan and 60 percent in Asia.
Japan’s potential to close the gender gap in the business landscape in the coming years, and emerge as an equal ground for both male and female business owners by creating opportunities for women to play an active role in the future is immense, and Colabolabo aims to empower female-owned businesses to seize every opportunity that promises growth.
As such, the company has a robust plan for its future endeavors, particularly with regards to building an interactive SNS function that will allow female business owners to more easily exchange information and find business partners, and boost its platform to enhance daily collaboration and communication, offering business owners the chance to expand every day.
Kyoko Yokota, Director
Kyoko Yokota is the CEO of Colabolabo Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based company supporting female entrepreneurs across Japan. With over 3,200 clients, Colabolabo offers networking, marketing, and job opportunities. An Ochanomizu University alumna, Kyoko is also active in gender equality initiatives, including representing Japan at APEC's 2011 Women and Economy Summit.
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