Aim High, Dream Big. Our First Company Trip (Hero Camp) to Hachijojima
Over the weekend of November 6–7, we headed to Island and office Hachijojima for StoreHero's very first company trip. We decided to give it a cool name to get everyone pumped up, so we called it "Hero Camp."
Through this weekend, we got to know each other better than ever, and we'd love to share a little bit about what our team members have been up to — and the dreams each of them hopes to realize at StoreHero!
Noon on the 6th @ Haneda Airport
It's just under an hour by plane from Tokyo to Hachijojima. We all met up at Haneda Airport before departing. Our flight was at noon, but Kurose-san had already arrived at the airport at 9:30 AM — impressive as ever. Once there, we hired a jumbo taxi to make our way to Island and office, tucked away at the far end of the island. From there, we had a breathtaking, unobstructed view of Hachijo Kojima floating in the Pacific Ocean — an incredibly peaceful spot!
Exploring the Facilities & Getting Ready for the BBQ
A bonfire set was ready and waiting, and while we got the bonfire and BBQ going, team members mingled and chatted. Since we usually work remotely and rarely see each other in person, it was a great chance to discover unexpected things in common with teammates from other teams and get to know each other on a deeper level. StoreHero is all about growing our clients' stores — so why not grow our members too?! Our wonderful CEO and consultant even brainstormed some seriously thoughtful growth strategies to help member Tsuda find a partner!
BBQ & Relaxing Around the Bonfire
The highlight of our Hachijojima trip was undoubtedly this incredible dinner! During the taxi ride, the driver shared the local way to enjoy kusaya (a traditional fermented fish), and the team actually prepared it for us — along with a magnificent BBQ spread packed with the best local flavors. We ate way more than we could handle, and afterward, we sat around the bonfire just chatting away. We rarely get the chance to all relax and talk together during regular work hours, but that night — from work topics to personal stories — everyone was at ease, thanks to the warm glow of the fire. StoreHero is a team of people with all different ages and backgrounds, but the trip reminded us just how close we all feel to one another.
What Do You Dream Here? A Session on Each Member's Dreams
On the afternoon of the 7th, each team member had the opportunity to talk about the dreams they hope to make a reality at StoreHero. StoreHero, which Kurose and Sasaya founded together, has grown by more than eight members just this year. It was a moment to revisit the dreams they had when the company first started, to share what they still hope to achieve as founders, and for each team member to reflect on the passion that brought them to StoreHero — and what they now want to accomplish here. Here are some of the dreams our members shared!
5:30 PM on the 7th @ Hachijojima Airport
After wrapping up our meeting and taking a group photo, we headed to the airport. With our two-day trip complete, everyone made their way home. We asked each member to share their thoughts on Hero Camp, our first-ever company trip!
Kurose: We got to talk about so many things outside of work, the food was delicious, and I had a wonderful time. I'd love to go again.
Sasaya: Gathering around the bonfire and hearing everyone's thoughts was a truly wonderful experience. I think the team will be even bigger next year, but I definitely want us to keep doing events like this.
Sakamoto: It was a fantastic opportunity to rediscover who everyone is as a person and learn about the individual passions that drive each of us — while also reaffirming the direction we want to take this company. I'd love to keep carving out time like this to step back from day-to-day work and think about the bigger picture — not just once a year.
De: I'm honestly a little surprised by how much fun I had — and I'm not usually someone who loves group activities. I have a feeling we'll look back on this fondly when the team gets bigger.
Oishi: I got to talk, eat, and relax with the StoreHero team to the fullest — truly soaking in everything Hachijojima had to offer! I want to go every year!!
Oshiro: Immersed in a completely different atmosphere, it became a meaningful trip where I got to learn more about everyone's personalities and what each person wants to achieve at StoreHero. Kurose-san mentioned that we should all go overseas together sometime, so I'm really looking forward to making that happen soon.
Tsuda: I found myself excitedly imagining — what kind of team members will be there next year, what scenery will we be looking at, and what dreams will we be chasing? Just thinking about it made me giddy!
So, what did you think? Hero Camp brought our StoreHero team even closer together — and now we're looking for new members who want to chase their dreams alongside us with the same passion and energy! We're hiring for a variety of positions, including consulting, development, and support. If any of this resonates with you, or if you're thinking "I want to come to Hero Camp next year too!" — please apply!