1/28 (Wed) Free Admission | Special Expanded Shopify × Growth Meetup ~ Learning "Product Development & How to Sell" from AuB & Cynthia ~

"Ask customers and you'll find the answer" — that may be a myth. How do you uncover the "true challenges (latent needs)" that customers haven't yet realized themselves, and how do you translate them into concrete products and e-commerce experiences to grow your business?

This Growth Meetup will be held as a special expanded edition with 50 participants — larger than usual!
We will welcome two standout companies that are rapidly scaling their businesses using Shopify to deeply explore the essence of "how to create hit products starting from customer insights."

Our speakers include Mr. Tanaka from AuB Inc., a company that started from research into athletes' gut microbiomes and has expanded into supplements, food, and daily goods — continuously creating a "new market" called conditioning. Also joining us is Ms. Shinoike from Cynthia Inc., who successfully differentiated in the highly competitive colored contact lens market by translating unique insight analysis into "the 14.5mm commitment."

Going beyond mere sales techniques, we will share specific methods for logically elevating brand commitment into "sellable products" and accelerating business growth through Shopify.

After the sessions, we will also have a networking reception where you can mingle with speakers and other attendees over light food and drinks. Please take this opportunity to expand your network and bring home hints for your next growth.

Event Content

【Part 1 | From Gut Microbiome Research to E-Commerce — How AuB Has Built a "Conditioning Brand"】

AuB started from research into athletes' gut environments, and under the theme of "conditioning from the gut," has gradually expanded its product lineup from gut care supplements to food, bath salts, oral care, and insoles. In this session, speaking from a position still mid-journey, we will look back on the decision-making process alongside the company's history — examining which challenges drove product expansion at each phase, how far science was built up, and where market observation began. Building on that, we will share concrete examples of both successes and ongoing trials in how these stories are being expressed as experiences on the Shopify store.

◼︎Speaker
AuB Inc.
Director & Chief Business Officer, Tomohisa Tanaka

During his student years, he co-founded an electric vehicle startup and gained experience in overseas M&A and cross-border IPOs as a Director and COO. He joined AuB in 2019, taking charge of business development and financing in the gut health care field. Currently, as Director and Chief Business Officer, he is working on the social implementation of user experiences that achieve "Put everyone in their best condition" — through D2C and healthcare business growth and corporate alliance promotion.

【Part 2 | Product Development That Pursues"Looking Great" in the World of 14.5mm, and Planning an EC Site as a "Product" Rather Than a Sales Tool.】

Colored contact lenses have become a part of everyday makeup. With many products produced by celebrities and influencers, differentiation has become increasingly difficult.
In this context, we will share the successes and failures of developing colored contact lens products that analyzed customer insights, translated customer needs into 14.5mm products, and realized the eyes customers want to achieve.
We will also share the story of building and relaunching an EC site for these proprietary products — treating the site itself as a "product" rather than merely a sales channel.

• "Ask customers and you'll find out" is a myth. Customers don't have the answers to product development.
• Question the obvious.
• No matter how hard you think, not every product you make will be a hit.
• Differentiation points ultimately come from a user-first perspective.

◼︎Speaker
Cynthia Inc.
Head of Color Contact Lens Division, Mayuka Shinoike

Joined an IT startup as a new graduate and experienced launching a mobile advertising agency business.
From 2013, she built the colored contact lens business at Furyu Corporation, expanding from mail-order retail to manufacturing. In April 2025, the business was sold to Cynthia Inc., where she now oversees everything from product development and OEM contracting to running the company's own EC site as head of the color contact lens division.
Since the company's founding, she has consistently pursued the vision of "Making every day HAPPY through your eyes — helping customers look cute safely and confidently."

Event Details & Schedule

Date & Time: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 15:00–19:10 (Doors open 14:45, Program starts 15:10)

Admission: Free (pre-registration required)

Capacity: Approximately 50 people

Refreshments: Light food and alcoholic beverages will be served at the networking reception

• 15:00 Doors open
• 15:10 Presentations begin
  
  
  
  • Speakers
    
    
    
    • AuB Inc., Mr. Tanaka
    • Cynthia Inc., Ms. Shinoike
    • StoreHero Inc., Kurose
• 16:50 Panel Discussion
  
  
  
  • Panelists
    
    
    
    • AuB Inc., Mr. Tanaka
    • Cynthia Inc., Ms. Shinoike
  • Moderator
    
    
    
    • StoreHero Inc., Kurose
• 17:40 Networking reception begins
• 19:10 Event ends

Venue

2F Meeting Room B, Dai-35 Kowa Building, 1-14-14 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052

Apply Now

If you want to continuously grow your business using Shopify, please apply!

※This event uses a lottery system. Those selected will be notified individually.