Rie Gocho, Representative Director of Minerva Co., Ltd., was featured in the "NEXT LEADER Talk" special in the October 2026 issue of Esthetic Tsushin.
As one of the young executives who will lead the beauty industry going forward, Ms. Gocho shares her views on what makes salons keep getting chosen and on the role of manufacturers.
A Dialogue Among Young Executives in Esthetic Tsushin
The "NEXT LEADER Talk" in the October 2026 issue of Esthetic Tsushin features three young executives working on the front lines of the beauty industry.
Fumiya Kusumoto, Representative Director of h-models Co., Ltd., Hitomi Fukui, President and CEO of JULIA IVY Co., Ltd., and Rie Gocho, Representative Director of Minerva Co., Ltd., exchanged views.
The discussion covered a wide range of topics on running a beauty business, from how they started their current businesses to investment decisions for new ventures, branding through social media, how to choose manufacturers and partners, and creating an environment where staff can work with pride.
What Salons Look for in Manufacturers and Minerva's Initiatives
During the talk, Ms. Gocho spoke about the criteria salons use when choosing a manufacturer.
She talked about the importance of manufacturers that look beyond price and product specifications, that do not stop at selling a product, but provide systems and training that lead to profit for the salons that adopt it, and can follow up continuously.
At Minerva Co., Ltd., in addition to the appeal of the products themselves, the company emphasizes support after adoption so that salons can convey value correctly to customers and lead to continuous proposals.
Ms. Gocho also stressed the need for salons and manufacturers in the beauty industry to face each other seriously.
Her view is that manufacturers are expected to support the growth of salons, while salons are expected to take their products and customers seriously and keep learning.
The Future of the Beauty Industry and the Unique Value of Salons
On the future of the beauty industry, Ms. Gocho predicts a growing polarization between "salons chosen for price" and "salons chosen for value."
She said that for salons to keep being chosen, it is important to have a story unique to the salon, such as who you buy from and why you offer a given treatment, rather than simply adopting techniques and products.
She said that clarifying the essential value you offer while incorporating trends, and communicating it to customers, is the condition for continuing to be chosen in a changing market.
As for the essential value of esthetics, she said it lies in carefully listening to customers' concerns and being attentive to how they feel.
Her view is that providing not only results but also time for customers to relax and the satisfaction gained through communication with people is another important role of esthetics.
Career of Rie Gocho, Representative Director of Minerva Co., Ltd.
Rie Gocho opened an esthetic salon in Daikanyama, Tokyo, in 2014.
In 2017, she opened a semi-permanent makeup salon in Singapore, and in 2019 she founded Minerva Co., Ltd., a general beauty trading company handling cutting-edge beauty products.
Drawing on her own experience running salons, she imports and sells beauty products for professionals and supports their adoption. The company works on support that considers not only providing products but also improving salon profits, staff growth and continuous value for customers.
About the Magazine and Minerva Co., Ltd.
The October 2026 issue (No. 268) of Esthetic Tsushin, in which this talk appears, is published by Biyo Keizai Shimbun Co., Ltd.
Minerva Co., Ltd. is a company engaged in the import and sale of beauty-related products, product development, salon operation and adoption support. Details can be found on the official website and official Instagram account below.
