"Supporting Women's Independence Through Remote Work: An Interview with Sho Shimizu, Executive Officer at Merone Inc., on the Challenge of Creating a Barrier-Free Future"

"I am convinced that when women become empowered, families and society also thrive."

These are the words of Shou Shimizu, Executive Officer at Merone Co., Ltd.

Shimizu, who faced complex family issues, began to think about family happiness and made a name for himself in the bridal industry.

Later, he ventured into entrepreneurship but fell victim to fraud, accruing a debt of 150 million yen.

However, through encounters with people, he re-evaluated himself and is once again thriving at the forefront of business. We explored Shimizu's roots and his vision for a barrier-free future for women.

*Information was verified and partially updated on March 13, 2026.

1. What is Merone Co., Ltd.?

Merone Co., Ltd. is a company with the mission of "supporting women's independence through education."

The company aims to increase women's life choices through educational initiatives, striving for a barrier-free society where women can shine as their true selves.

The home-based retail school "Re:che" focuses on educating sellers by accepting and selling discarded or unwanted items from manufacturers and brands. This not only contributes to society but also provides women with the know-how to earn an income of 100,000 yen per month in their spare time, supporting their independence.

The school also offers comprehensive benefits such as monthly study sessions, individual LINE support, and free consultations with lawyers and tax accountants, with over 1,000 students learning together.

1-1. Social Barriers Women Face

[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Shimizu]

Akaishi: Can you tell us about the social barriers women face? 

Shimizu: In society, there are often attitudes like "Can women really work?" Additionally, at home, partners may say things like "Women should just stay quiet and do housework," and such cases are still prevalent, which I perceive as societal barriers.

As a result, many women face significant mental and economic challenges due to being viewed differently by society and their families.

Our initiative is to provide retail know-how to these mothers, enabling them to become independent, even if they want to work but cannot.

Akaishi: What have you felt while supporting women?

Shimizu: In supporting over 1,000 women, I feel that women's potential is limitless.

To create a flow where families, men, and society become energized, it's essential to have an environment where women can live as their true selves.

However, it is also true that many women in Japan are economically and mentally cornered due to regional and wealth disparities.

For these women, we aim to expand Re:che as a third place where they can always return.

1-2. Promoting Women's Independence with the "Re:seller" Value

Akaishi: What is the value of "Re:seller"?

Shimizu: Generally, in the retail industry, there is a perception of unethical practices where sellers quickly detect demand fluctuations, hoard products, and sell them at high prices, disrupting the normal distribution of goods.

However, we define "Re:seller" as a way of resolving the social issue of product waste by selling unwanted items cheaply through e-commerce sites or purchasing and selling items that were destined for disposal, thereby enriching oneself as a result.

Our ability to source products that other companies cannot handle is thanks to the companies that agree with our philosophy.

Therefore, we aim to create a clean retail industry by providing correct education to sellers and generating sales activities while involving new companies.

2. Who is Shou Shimizu?

During his middle school years, Shimizu witnessed complex family issues firsthand, prompting him to think about family happiness.

In college, he studied "family sociology," which explores the formation of families and human behavior. He then joined a bridal company to support the happiness of families, helping over 20,000 couples embark on their new journeys each year.

Driven by the desire to support families beyond marriage, he ventured into entrepreneurship. However, this path led to a series of events that continue to shape Shimizu's journey.

2-1. Career and Achievements

・Born in 1986. Studied family sociology at Keio High School/University Faculty of Letters
・After graduation, launched new business at Best Bridal Co., Ltd., served as the only executive assistant in the company
・Worked at Macromill, Inc. and SONY Life before becoming independent
・Founded FAMILY Co., Ltd.
・Provided wedding consulting services to 100 couples in the first year through word of mouth
・Simultaneously released beauty version of Uber "careL" as CMO at MOSOmafia Co., Ltd.
・Raised 10 million yen from @cosme
・Fell victim to fraud, accruing a debt of 150 million yen, facing social and mental challenges
・Founded RAIDON, a members-only bar in Roppongi
・Founded Pipic Co., Ltd. and led the development of a matching app as Founder
・Raised 90 million yen from individual investors nationwide
・Joined Kanry Co., Ltd. as CRO
・Achieved 15,000 store installations within a year of release/doubled sales negotiations through agencies in 3 months
・Appointed Executive Officer at Merone Co., Ltd., overseeing all business units from business strategy to store operations

2-2. Facing a 100 Million Yen Debt After Entrepreneurship

Akaishi: What prompted you to start your own business?

Shimizu: I went through a divorce at the age of 28.

At that time, despite my wish to create a happy family, I found myself unexpectedly divorced, feeling that my life wasn't going well.

However, this experience strengthened my desire to dedicate my life to important things like family and home, and I found my purpose.

Subsequently, I decided to venture into entrepreneurship by establishing a consulting business that continuously supports families.

Akaishi: How did you end up with a 100 million yen debt?

Shimizu: My business involved proposing life planning, including weddings, to couples. As part of this, I suggested investments to ensure that important assets could be used for future child-rearing and home purchases, introducing them to an asset management company we collaborated with.

However, later, that company absconded with the money, and the total funds of approximately 150 million yen from the people I introduced were not returned.

It was a challenging time. I took responsibility and repaid the debt, but there were times when debt collectors waited outside my home, and for two years, I was constantly pursued until the debt was settled.

During that time, I was desperate to repay the money, engaging in businesses that weren't my true calling,