Okayama Prefecture Industrial Promotion Foundation: Discover Your Unique Work Style at the Women's Startup Support Seminar [Beginner Level] on June 20, Featuring Candid Talks and Group Work by Female Entrepreneurs

Okayama Prefecture and the Okayama Prefectural Foundation for Industrial Promotion (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture; President: Seiichi Katayama) will host the 'Women's Startup Support Seminar [Beginner Level]' on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the With Center Meeting Room in Kita-ku, Okayama City.

This seminar is designed for women aiming to start a business or currently preparing to do so. Through panel discussions and group work, participants will discover their own 'core values for a fulfilling work style.'

The event will feature guest speakers Eri Matsuda, Representative of Heartful Story; Yuria Yano, Representative of &Lilly; and facilitator Makiko Ono, Coordinator at the Okayama Women's Startup Support Center, who will share authentic insights from three female entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds.

Participation is free, and childcare services (by prior registration, free of charge, limited to approximately 10 first applicants) are also available.

1. Key Features and Benefits of the Seminar

⑴ Hear 'Real Voices' from Three Active Female Entrepreneurs

During the seminar, three female entrepreneurs with different backgrounds will participate in panel discussions on two themes: 'Business' and 'Work Style and Life Choices.' Topics such as 'What inspired you to choose your current work?' and 'How do you balance your aspirations with practical constraints?' will be discussed, offering participants valuable insights to address their own challenges.

⑵ Discover Your Own Work Style Through Group Work

Group work sessions will be held between each panel discussion. Participants will share and verbalize their thoughts and realizations from the talks, helping them clarify and organize their personal work values.

⑶ Free Admission and Childcare Services for Parents

As this seminar is hosted by a local government and public institution, participation is free. Additionally, free childcare services are available for parents, enabling them to attend with peace of mind.

2. Event Overview

Date and Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 13:30–16:00

Venue: With Center Meeting Room (6F, Kirameki Plaza, 2-13-1 Minamikata, Kita-ku, Okayama City)

Admission: Free

Target Audience: Women aiming to start a business or currently preparing (Women only)

Capacity: 20 participants (first-come, first-served)

Organizers: Okayama Prefecture, Okayama Prefectural Foundation for Industrial Promotion

Details: https://www.optic.or.jp/event/event_detail/index/10454.html

3. Seminar Program

13:30–13:35 Opening

13:35–14:10 Panel Discussion [Business Edition]

14:10–14:35 Group Work ①

14:35–14:45 Break

14:45–15:20 Panel Discussion [Work Style and Choices Edition]

15:20–15:45 Group Work ②

15:45–16:00 Closing and Conclusion

4. Guest Speakers and Facilitator

■ Guest Speakers

Eri Matsuda

Representative, Heartful Story

(Hospitality Producer / Fragrance Designer / Former ANA Flight Attendant)

Leveraging the 'hospitality skills to build trust instantly' and 'practical coaching abilities' developed as a flight attendant, she provides consulting services to improve customer service and service quality for businesses. Using a methodology that translates values into actions, she supports companies in enhancing their brand strength to remain 'continuously chosen by customers.' Additionally, she offers consulting focused on 'moments when human emotions shift,' utilizing her expertise as a perfumer to manage scents, sounds, and spaces.

Yuria Yano

Representative, &Lilly

(AI Utilization and SNS Customer Acquisition Advisor)

Combining her programming background with AI, she supports businesses in creating customer acquisition funnels from SNS engagement to conversion. Her services have been praised for reducing business burdens through efficient customer acquisition and improving conversion rates. She also focuses on AI utilization workshops and community management. Starting in 2026, she has launched networking events and study groups themed 'AI × My Own Work Style,' aiming to create environments where each participant can shine authentically.

■ Facilitator

Makiko Ono

Coordinator, Okayama Women's Startup Support Center

She supports individuals in realizing 'a work and life style true to themselves' by empathizing with their values and circumstances. Her strength lies in helping participants verbalize their thoughts through dialogue and guiding them toward decisions they can feel confident about. She is involved in corporate community training and government-linked startup support, accompanying aspiring entrepreneurs through their early uncertainties and supporting their first steps.

4. How to Apply

Please register via the Google Form below by filling in the required information.

https://forms.gle/LHxXtASXvvG5omMr7

Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, by 17:00

(Note: Those wishing to use childcare services must apply by Friday, June 12, 2026)

【About Childcare Services】

Eligibility: Children approximately 6 months to 12 years old (case-by-case consultation available)

Location: Kirameki Plaza Playroom

Capacity: Up to approximately 10 children (first-come, first-served)

※ Further details will be provided directly to applicants.

5. Contact Information

Okayama Prefectural Foundation for Industrial Promotion, Department of Management Support, SME Support Division (5301 Haga, Kita-ku, Okayama City)

Contact: Kiminami, Tsugeno

TEL: 086-286-9626

FAX: 086-286-9627

E-mail: sinfo@optic.or.jp

Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30–17:15

6. About the Okayama Prefectural Foundation for Industrial Promotion

The Okayama Prefectural Foundation for Industrial Promotion is a core, comprehensive industrial support organization dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and small-scale businesses within Okayama Prefecture.

Through collaboration with national and prefectural agencies, it offers a range of support programs tailored to each company's stage—from startup to business expansion, management innovation, and business succession—actively promoting support initiatives.

【Overview】

Headquarters: 5301 Haga, Kita-ku, Okayama City (within Techno Support Okayama)

President: Seiichi Katayama

Established: August 1968 (※ Consolidated in April 2001)

Website: https://www.optic.or.jp/