From High School Chair Entrepreneur to College Student: Taketo Hayashi's Journey

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Taketo Hayashi's entrepreneurial journey began with a $450 scam that changed his life. After losing nearly all his savings to an online AirPods scam at age 15, Taketo was determined to make his money back. Through a series of fortunate events, he discovered an opportunity in the high-end office chair market during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a $20 investment in a single Herman Miller chair has grown into SaviorBack, a business that has generated over $1.5 million in revenue. Despite his success at such a young age, Taketo chose to pursue higher education at Claremont McKenna College, balancing his thriving business with his desire for personal growth and meaningful experiences. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of finding balance between entrepreneurial success and personal fulfillment.

Some key takeaways from our conversation:

The power of adversity as a catalyst for entrepreneurship: After being scammed out of $450 (money gifted from his grandmother), Taketo was driven to explore various business opportunities. This setback became the motivation that ultimately led him to discover the office chair business, demonstrating how challenges can become stepping stones to success.
Market opportunity recognition during COVID-19: When showrooms closed during the pandemic, Taketo identified a gap in the market for high-end office chairs. He created a unique value proposition by offering customers the ability to compare different brands in person, something that even official showrooms couldn't provide due to brand competition.
The importance of hands-on experience in business development: Taketo spent countless hours scrolling through marketplace listings, cleaning chairs, meeting customers, and handling logistics. This direct involvement helped him understand every aspect of his business and develop effective processes that could later be delegated to others.
Balancing entrepreneurial success with personal growth: Despite running a successful business, Taketo chose to pursue higher education, recognizing the value of experiences beyond financial success. His decision to attend college wasn't just about getting a degree, but about creating meaningful relationships and having experiences that money can't buy.
The evolution of sales and customer service: Through experience, Taketo learned that effective sales isn't about following a script but about listening and adapting to customer needs. This insight helped him when hiring his current sales representative, choosing someone with strong communication skills over technical expertise.
The challenges of delegation and scaling: As the business grew, Taketo faced the challenge of maintaining quality while delegating responsibilities. His experience hiring and training others highlighted the importance of finding people who can adapt and think independently rather than just following a manual.
The value of strategic decision-making in life choices: Taketo's approach to deciding between focusing solely on his business versus pursuing education demonstrates the importance of considering multiple factors beyond just financial success, including personal growth, relationships, and life experiences.