“I’m interested in starting a business or side job, but I don’t know who to consult.”
“I want to take a step forward, but I feel a bit anxious.”
The “FLCB Women’s Meeting” held at the community space “FLCB” in Soja City started as a place where women with such uncertainties can share their concerns.
While enjoying delicious lunch, women of various ages and industries connect casually and share their dreams and worries. This gathering is not just a “chatting session,” but also a practical exchange that can lead to work opportunities.
I participated in the FLCB Women’s Meeting, so I will introduce the atmosphere on-site and the thoughts of the organizers.
What is the “FLCB Women’s Meeting”?
“FLCB,” located right in front of the Soja City Hall, is a community space that anyone can freely use. The “FLCB Women’s Meeting” is held here once a month.
This event gathers women who are entrepreneurs or those who are considering starting something new, allowing them to connect while enjoying a delicious lunch. It is said that it can fill up quickly after the recruitment starts.
On this day, the FLCB Women’s Meeting proceeded as follows:
- Self-introductions
- Exchange of opinions based on a theme
- Lunch
- Free time (casual networking)
- Commemorative photo
- Free to leave
I have participated several times, and my first impression was simply that it was “very comfortable.”
Even among strangers, there was an atmosphere that made it easy to talk, and I quickly felt at ease.
- Event Date: Every second Wednesday of the month from 11 AM to 2 PM
※ For details, check the official Instagram - Participation Fee: 1,500 yen
- Location: FLCB
Background and Purpose of the FLCB Women’s Meeting
The FLCB Women’s Meeting is planned and operated by two women active in Soja City, Sakura and Ayumi. This project was born from conversations about how “there are many attractive women in Soja.”
“Many women are working hard alone. However, if each could express their likes and strengths more, it would become more interesting.”
From this sentiment, they began to create a place where women involved in entrepreneurship or side jobs can connect with peace of mind. In the future, they aim for the FLCB Women’s Meeting to not just be a place for networking, but also to contribute to the development of local female talent and the revitalization of the local economy.
Why a Lunch Meeting?
One of the major attractions of the FLCB Women’s Meeting is the “lunch.”
Every time, bento boxes from restaurants in Soja City are provided, which has become one of the participants' delights.
Based on the idea that “women love delicious food and chatting,” there is also a desire to support local restaurants, so the food is intentionally chosen from only Soja City establishments.
On this day, the lunch was a pork ginger stir-fry set from “Coffee House Mocha.”
With the delicious lunch as a starting point, natural conversations like “Which restaurant was this from?” and “This is a large serving” flow easily, and even those meeting for the first time quickly feel at ease.
Sharing a meal brings people closer together, which is a unique charm of this meeting.
What I Felt by Participating
On this day (May 16, 2025), there were 10 participants including the organizers.
As special guests, two staff members from the “Soja Migration and Entrepreneurship Support Center S-Sta,” which supports entrepreneurship and startups in Soja City, and Katsutoshi Adachi, the personality of the radio program “Soja’s Old Man and ROOKIES,” also participated.
“S-Sta” is a support organization that provides consultations on business planning and funding for newcomers and locals starting new businesses. This time, they participated with the hope of “being able to help women and mothers take a step forward by directly attending the meeting.”
Mr. Adachi mentioned that “he has been receiving more consultations from women who want to start something” and participated with the desire to share insights on the necessary “space” for starting a business, such as utilizing vacant houses and setting up stores.
The exchange time is structured in groups of 3 to 4 people.
The age group is mainly in their 30s, with various professions such as English teachers, nail artists, web designers, therapists, and those preparing to start a bread-making class. The number of participants was just right, allowing for in-depth conversations with each person.
Topics ranged from work to future dreams, but what was common in all discussions was the abundance of energy. The more we talked, the more the feeling of “I want to start something” or “I want to try” arose, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
Thanks to the connections made at the FLCB Women’s Meeting, participants have gone out for lunch later or sought work consultations, leading to the formation of friendships and new job opportunities.
A System of Exchange that Doesn’t Just End with Chatting
A characteristic of the FLCB Women’s Meeting is that it doesn’t just end as a “chatting session.”
Each time, a rough theme is set, and not only self-introductions but also time is allocated for participants to share their worries and challenges and brainstorm ideas.
For example, when someone expresses, “I’m confused about SNS posting…,” specific advice like “This app was easy to use” or “You might want to consult with ○○” can be exchanged on the spot. The process of turning worries into positive actions gradually reveals the value of the meeting.
Additionally, in the past, participants have even organized a market together, creating projects that take shape and making it a practical venue that goes beyond just a networking event.
What the Organizers Say: Joys, Changes, and Future Prospects
When I asked Sakura about memorable moments while continuing this meeting, she said, “It makes me really happy to hear that just coming here makes people feel energized and that they want to come back.”
There are many repeat participants, and there are numerous voices saying, “After attending this meeting, I was able to realize what I wanted to do” and “Thanks to the connections made here, I found my next job.”
In the future, they plan to hold real events such as workshops and markets.
While collaborating with local organizations and businesses, they aim to expand their activities as a women’s meeting that contributes to community revitalization.
A Message for Women Who Want to Utilize Their Likes and Strengths
Finally, Sakura, one of the organizers, shared a message for the readers.
Sakura
The FLCB Women’s Meeting is a large team that shapes each person’s “likes” and “strengths” into “wants.” It is also a place that is open to newcomers, not just a fixed group of members.
If there are any women, including housewives and mothers, who want to enjoy challenges, please send a message through the official Instagram account.
We look forward to your participation in our networking events and activities.
The upcoming schedule is as follows:
- Lunch Women’s Meeting: July 9, 2025 (Wednesday) from 11 AM to 2 PM
- Flea Market for Parents and Children at FLCB: September 6, 2025 (Saturday) from 11 AM to 3 PM (tentative)
- Lunch Women’s Meeting: September 10, 2025 (Wednesday) from 11 AM to 1:30 PM
Conclusion
A small women’s meeting that started in Soja City is filled with great potential to move the future of the community.
Women with similar worries and dreams can connect safely and support each other, leading to new challenges and revitalizing both the community and themselves. I felt that the FLCB Women’s Meeting is a wonderful place for such opportunities.
If you want to try something new or work in a way that utilizes your passions, why not participate?
Data on the FLCB Women’s Meeting
| Name | FLCB Women’s Meeting |
|---|---|
| Event Date | Every second Wednesday of the month from 11 AM to 2 PM ※ For details, please see the official Instagram |
| Location | 2-2-8 Chuo, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Soja FLCB Women’s Meeting |
