[Held on Tuesday, July 28] FY2026 First Entrepreneur Seminar for Women ～ A program and networking event for those interested in starting a business to discover their strengths and take the first step

You’re interested in starting a business, but don’t know where to begin. There’s no one around you to ask for advice.

A seminar for women interested in starting a business, “FY2026 First Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar: Goal Setting and Strengths Rediscovery Program & Networking Event,” will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at Kurashiki Civic Hall.

The seminar is open not only to those considering starting a business, but also to anyone who is “somewhat interested” in doing so.

Since registration opened on June 25, there have already been many applications for the 20 available places, along with numerous inquiries, reflecting the high level of interest among women in starting businesses.

We interviewed the people involved in the seminar.

What is the “FY2026 First Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar”?

The “FY2026 First Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar: Goal Setting and Strengths Rediscovery Program & Networking Event” is an event for women who aspire to start a business or are interested in doing so in the Takahashi River Basin area.

The idea of “starting a business” may sound like a major decision, but this seminar focuses on a stage before making that decision. It invites participants to consider making what they love one of their career options. You can take part even if you are still at the stage before starting a business.

The seminar consists of the following:

• Part One: Group Work and Discussion
  • Experiences shared by three instructors (facilitators) who have started businesses by making use of their strengths and turned what they love into work
  • Taking stock of yourself using a worksheet
  • Group work and discussion
• Part Two: Business Card Exchange and Networking Event

Rather than setting a big dream, the goal of this seminar is to make a “first-step pledge” that you can put into action as soon as tomorrow, and be able to take a definite first step.

For example, setting a goal such as “I’ll start my business by [a specific date]” can make it feel like a big undertaking and difficult to achieve.

Instead, since you’ll attend the seminar on July 28, you can set a small, achievable goal such as “I’ll read this book on July 29” or “I’ll go to the city’s business startup support desk to collect materials within three days,” helping you take that first step.

The seminar will be held in Conference Room 4 at Kurashiki Civic Hall.
There is no fee, and the capacity is 20 people.

For details, including how to apply, please check the Kurashiki City website.

Two sessions are planned for FY2026, with the second scheduled for January 2027.

We spoke with the seminar organizers and instructors

We spoke about the seminar with Kanako Matsui and Hana Ito of the Kurashiki City Commerce and Industry Division, and Akiko Ueda, one of the instructors.

Are more women in Kurashiki aiming to start businesses?

Matsui (surname only)

We’ve been working to support women entrepreneurs for several years, and I feel their numbers are gradually increasing.

However, although the number of women entrepreneurs is growing, I think there are still few people around them who can serve as role models or offer advice.

That’s why we’re planning this seminar as a place to meet instructors who can serve as role models and connect with other participants in similar situations.

What kinds of people take part?

Matsui

In terms of age, we have a wide range of participants, from their 30s to their 60s.

As for their circumstances, I get the impression that many are people whose children need less hands-on care, giving them time for themselves, as well as people who have had an opportunity to think about their future working style while on leave, such as parental leave.

There’s group work, discussion, and a networking event. What is the atmosphere like?

Matsui

Thinking back to past seminars, there’s a special kind of energy among the women, and once they start talking, they can hardly stop.

They’ve shared what they’d like to try, hit it off with someone saying, “Then let’s do an event together!” and even ended up collaborating with other participants.

The atmosphere helps people feel positive, thinking, “Maybe I can do it too.”

Ito (surname only)

The instructors, too, create a very warm, welcoming atmosphere where it’s easy to talk, so I think participants will feel comfortable joining.

Ueda (surname only)

People share ideas about what someone wants to do, and open up possibilities like, “I might be able to do that too.” The group conversations never run out.

Last year (2025), I took part in this seminar as a participant, and the connections I made there are still going strong. I’ve received work from people, and visited their shops.

I’ve also run into people again by chance.
We met again having both grown a little, and I could really feel that we’d been working hard together. It’s a wonderful atmosphere for building those connections with peers.

The theme is “rediscovering your strengths,” but I imagine many people find it difficult to identify their own strengths.

Ueda

I often hear people say, “All I do is raise my children and take care of the house.”
But parenting and housework involve multitasking, constantly staying alert and making adjustments. There are many strengths hidden in the things you do every day.

For example, I worked in customer service for a long time.
Now I work on LINE account setup, and I used to think my customer service experience “wouldn’t be useful” in this job. But that experience has been incredibly helpful in designing LINE accounts and more.

The three instructors will each share examples like these. I hope their stories will inspire participants to discover that “this experience of mine might be a strength.” Instructors Maemoto and Watanabe also chose to work for themselves while raising children, so I think you’ll hear some interesting stories.

Also, when you share with the group what you wrote about yourself in the exercise, participants will bring up all kinds of experiences the instructors haven’t had. It’s fun to share those, too.

The seminar title mentions “How to map out the shortest route to turning what you love into work.” How can you find the shortest route?

Ueda

I believe the first step to finding the shortest route is taking stock of yourself.
I’ve seen people start thinking about entrepreneurship, get more and more ideas about what they want to do, spread themselves too thin, and eventually lose sight of what they’re doing.

As we’ll do in this seminar, I think the first step to avoiding detours is to take stock of what you’ve done so far and what you can do, and understand it clearly.

Matsui

I also think that listening to the opinions of experts who have met many different people through support organizations such as chambers of commerce can be a kind of shortcut.

It’s important to take in objective information and then reconsider whether this is really what you want to do. You don’t have to accept everything, but simply hearing it can help you find a new and better path.

Ito

Some people take detours because they have too many things they want to do, while others don’t know what to do and put things on hold. I’m the type who sets things aside for a while when I’m unsure.

But I think writing down small actions you can take right away and building them up one by one, saying “I’m going to do this,” can be the shortest route to finding your way forward.

What is the most important thing you want people to take away from this seminar?

Ueda

There are many things, but the first is that “everyone has strengths.”
I’ve seen many people convince themselves that they “have nothing useful to offer” or “have no special experience,” then struggle to keep going or miss opportunities even after they’ve started taking action.

The main thing I want to tell them is, “Everyday experiences you’ve forgotten about can actually become great strengths. So don’t worry.”

The second is, “Build a community.”
Since starting my business, I’ve received support from many people, and now I work as part of a team. Having even one person who shares your goals and will work hard alongside you helps you keep taking action and create an environment where you can grow. It’s a tremendous source of support.

Finally, do you have a message for our readers?

Matsui

Whether you’re just a little curious, wondering if there’s something you could do, or already working on something but still exploring and wanting to hear other people’s opinions, we’d love for you to come, whatever stage you’re at.
It’s also fine if you can’t stay until the end because you need to pick up your child; just let us know when you apply.

Kurashiki City is also committed to supporting women entrepreneurs.
However, I don’t think simply helping someone start a business is real “support.” We want to offer support for keeping a business going through other programs this fiscal year, for example, helping people figure out how to continue operating in their industry so they don’t have to stop after starting.

Kurashiki City also has a consultation desk for follow-up support for women entrepreneurs. We want to provide solid support beyond the point of starting a business, so please feel comfortable joining us.

Ito

I think it can be difficult to make up your mind to start when you’re worrying and thinking things over in your head.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small concern or something vague you’ve been wondering about regarding what to do next. Coming to the seminar and writing about yourself on a worksheet or talking to someone directly in your own words can be a great opportunity to sort out your feelings and thoughts.

This seminar offers warm encouragement to help you start something new, so I hope you’ll join us and have lots of conversations.

Ueda

The word “starting a business” may seem daunting, but don’t overthink it—consider it “one of your career options.” Participation is free, and even if it doesn’t work out, it’s not a big deal, so there’s no need to worry.

If you’re even a little tempted to give it a try, come along.

Discovering your strengths could help you take the first step

Something that seems so obvious to you that you don’t notice it may look like a strength to someone else. I thought this setting would surely lead to many discoveries like that.

I filed a business opening notification a few years ago. At the time, I felt anxious because I didn’t have anyone nearby to consult. I thought that if a seminar like this had been available, it would have been wonderful to get advice and build connections with others.

I was also struck by Matsui’s comment that “simply starting a business isn’t enough to count as support.” I felt reassured knowing there are people you can consult about how to keep going after taking that first step.

Rather than continuing to think “someday,” this seminar helps you declare and take a small first step, and find people to work alongside. If you’re interested, please consider joining.

FY2026 First Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar: Goal Setting and Strengths Rediscovery Program & Networking Event Information

Name	FY2026 First Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar: Goal Setting and Strengths Rediscovery Program & Networking Event
Date	Tuesday, July 28, 2026 2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location	Kurashiki Civic Hall
Participation fee (tax included)	Free
Website	Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar & Networking Event

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