Entrepreneur Association of Tokyo
Featured Member - August Hergesheimer
Interview - April 2007
 August Hergesheimer - K.K. Abios
Profile:
Manufacturer of whole-food nutrition health supplements. Primary focus on acai berry products. Products manufactured in Japan and currently sold in Japan and Hong Kong.
1. When did you start your first business? What was it? What lessons did you take away from that experience?
My first business was one I purchased from my father back when I was 25 (1987) in Tokyo. It was an importer and wholesale distributor of a premium-priced vacuum cleaner specifically manufactured (in the US) for the direct sales industry. You can imagine the ridicule and criticism I received from many doing that in Japan! I guess I just didn`t know any better. Fortunately, the business was relatively successful and sold off to Japanese partners in 2002 for a decent sum. This allowed me to "retire" and move to Honolulu for six years.
I learned a great many things from this first business but perhaps the most significant is that "perseverance and honest, diligent work truly do pay off."
2. What are some of the challenges you have faced in starting your business and how did you overcome them?
With my first business back in 1987, the largest single challenge was financing the business. Even after five years of operating that business profitably, when I applied for my first line of credit with a major Japanese bank, I was turned down on the basis that I was a gaijin. Therefore, I had to be quite creative in sourcing the necessary funds to primarily stock inventory.
With my current business, started last year, I have found it difficult to find personnel ideal for a start-up situation. Many of you can empathize with that, I`m sure, as a start-up requires a special breed of colleagues.
3. How did you form your business? (Yugen Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha, etc.) How long did the start-up process take?
K.K. The start-up process was quite quick and painless. I believe that the formation of a company is quite simple. I therefore always tell people that "anyone can be a shacho." However, to be a shacho of a successful corporation is another story.
4. Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Well grounded in the Japanese marketplace as (1) a branded nutraceutical in the e-commerce and direct-marketing arenas and (2) the go-to source for our special ingredient (acai from Brazil) in the B2B arena. In addition, we plan on having distribution partners in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.
5. Do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? Why?
Not sure if I really appreciate the label. I am only certain that I am not a 9-to-5er.
6. What is your definition of an entrepreneur?
Never really gave it much thought. Can someone help me with the definition?
7. What piece of advice would you give to a person wanting to start his or her own business in Japan?
More importantly than learning the language, please develop some sensitivities regarding the culture.
8. Can you recommend any resources such as books, websites, or support centers for entrepreneurs in Japan?
Other than EA? Am not very aware of any specific ones that I can recommend from personal experience. Since I do not read/write Japanese, I am certainly limited in what I can access. However, the best business book ever written is Good to Great by Jim Collins. This should be a "bible" in every business person`s office.
9. Who are your mentors in business?
I had an early mentor who taught me to always redefine the "problem" into a "challenge" and to always focus on the possibility. I know that these may sound a bit corny but, believe me, it helps immensely not only with your business issues but with all else in life.
10. What makes you happy?
A good marriage, the laughter of my healthy children, and feeling that I am of some value to others. Good wine, Italian food, beautiful sunsets, and time on my boat Venezia also rank up there.
www.abios.jp
www.acai.co.jp
www.vege-power.com
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