TIMEWELL Employee Interview Vol. 6 — Koki Ando on the Secrets to a Life of Continuous Challenge
In daily life, do you sometimes feel "I want to live more true to myself" or "I want to try something new"? Yet when you actually try to take action, you often find yourself anxious — "Where do I even start?" or "Will it really work out?" TIMEWELL employee Koki Ando shares the secrets to a life of continuous challenge, drawn from his own experience. From unique episodes in his student days to his current work at TIMEWELL, his words are sure to give you a push in the right direction.
Profile:
Name: Koki Ando
Affiliation: Co-Founder & COO, TIMEWELL Inc. / Head of WARP Business
Background: Originally from Gifu Prefecture. Majored in robotics during his student years, conducting research on omnidirectional mobile robots and humanoid robots. After completing his Master of Engineering in 2015, he worked for three years as a design engineer for internationally-sold ventilation fans at a major comprehensive electronics manufacturer, gaining experience in a wide range of design work including resin and sheet metal design and mass production design in volumes from thousands to millions of units. From 2018, he led new business development for a North American smart ventilation system, succeeding in commercializing it through collaboration with a Silicon Valley startup. From April 2021, he worked at a major consulting firm, supporting smart factories, IoT products, and wide-ranging areas including design through manufacturing and IP strategy from a security perspective. From 2020, he has been simultaneously supporting new business development leveraging freelancers at the general incorporated association ONEX. His life theme is "making the world more fun and interesting through the power of technology," which he wants to realize through TIMEWELL's business — and he is envisioning new features every day.
Curiosity and Drive Creating a Unique Student Life, and the Encounter with TIMEWELL
--- Could you start with an introduction?
Ando: My name is Koki Ando. At TIMEWELL I'm mainly moving planning projects forward. I used to work as an engineer too, but now I operate on a planning basis — doing proposals and pitch activities.
I'm also promoting the creation of spaces where entrepreneurially-minded students from across Asia and globally can interact, co-create, and compete — in a form called EMC GLOBAL, centered on supporting Musashino University's School of Entrepreneurship (Musashino EMC).
--- What were you doing during your student years?
Ando: I've always loved making things, and was interested in robots and such from an early age due to the influence of my father who was an engineer with a bit of a geek personality. During my student years I was researching and developing robots.
In elementary school I was into caring for chickens and basketball, and commuted an hour by bus — but I was always at school by 7am. In middle and high school I was completely absorbed in basketball, doing it from morning to night every day. In university I was working a part-time job from 6am, doing another part-time job at a bar at night, and also playing basketball and going all-night mahjong games — so I was a pretty active student with energy for doing all kinds of things continuously. Maybe because of that, even now I'm taking on various challenges at TIMEWELL alongside my main job in a side-project capacity.
--- What was the trigger that brought you to TIMEWELL?
Ando: I first met Hamamoto at the major comprehensive electronics manufacturer where we both joined as new graduates. That company had a volunteer group, and I had been participating since I was a new employee. At the time, the leader of that internal volunteer group's Nagoya team was Hamamoto, and we worked together there.
After that, the organization ONE JAPAN was formed, and from it spun off ONEX, a general incorporated association where Hamamoto serves as representative director. Since I was also involved as one of the founding members of ONEX, I've been walking alongside Hamamoto since the activities at ONEX that preceded TIMEWELL as a company. So rather than "joining TIMEWELL," the feeling is that we've been working together all along from before there was even an organization.
EMC GLOBAL and the Challenge at TIMEWELL — Developing Talent to be Active Globally
--- What specifically are you doing in your TIMEWELL work? Are there things you struggle with in that?
Ando: It's always difficult to realize a service that customers truly want to use — that point is something I agonize over every day. But I don't particularly feel that the work itself is hard. Since it's a startup, rather than being given work, the feeling is more of creating it yourself. So if you ask me what specifically I'm doing at TIMEWELL, it's quite difficult to answer — but mainly right now I'm doing EMC GLOBAL activities. Beyond that, I'm secretly thinking through plans for a robot business.
--- What specifically are you doing at EMC GLOBAL?
Ando: EMC GLOBAL mainly does event planning and event execution. Last year we built a flow of sending Japanese students to leading universities in five countries — India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore — and holding pitch competitions locally. We invited the students we connected with through those activities to the EMC GLOBAL SUMMIT held on February 1st, where we had them do the pitch competition finals. It's an initiative that started last year, and this year our goal is to continue activities while maintaining the ecosystem we built last year — so we're planning and running domestic and international events almost every month.
The Joy of Being a WARP Mentor — The Driving Force of Encountering Interesting Ideas
--- I understand you are also doing mentoring at WARP. What are you doing at WARP?
Ando: At WARP I participate as a mentor at the business phase. I answer technical questions too, but I basically do business mentoring. About 80% of the people at WARP have the feeling of wanting to build an app but not having a business idea — so I'm mainly giving advice so that the participants who want to build something can shape their ideas into something that works as a business.
For example, I tell them to think about points where someone would pay money and points of differentiation. I also give advice on system requirements and creating block diagrams.
--- What do you find enjoyable about mentoring at WARP?
Ando: When I encounter a really interesting idea, that's great. I want to do it together myself. I feel like it's an idea I came up with and get emotionally invested in it.
TIMEWELL's Appeal and My Vision — Making the World More Fun and Interesting Through Technology
--- From your perspective, Ando, are there good things about TIMEWELL or services you'd like to recommend?
Ando: I think WARP is good. Being able to actually feel that you can easily build various things with AI — I think that's something necessary for surviving in the world going forward.
Also, at TIMEWELL Base you can see all kinds of events, so actively participating in outside events using Base is also something I recommend. Base has a tagging function and a friend feature like social media, so it's easy to connect with people who share your hobbies and interests. So for me — who thinks it's important to keep moving — it's a really good service.
--- How do you think about TIMEWELL's vision?
Ando: My personal slogan is "making the world more fun and interesting through the power of technology." I want to create a world where everyone smiles and has fun. To do that, I think I first need to enjoy myself.
TIMEWELL's vision is "creating the world's #1 challenge infrastructure," but without exception, people who are challenging themselves on things they want to do are smiling. So I believe that supporting such people connects to making the world better. In that sense, through the activities of EMC GLOBAL and WARP, I find fulfillment in supporting people who are taking on challenges — and I strongly relate to TIMEWELL's vision.
Dreams and Challenges Going Forward — Children's Futures and Robot Development
--- What kinds of things would you like to do going forward?
Ando: I have two children, so I want to do things that relate to children's futures. In that sense, I want to continue activities like EMC GLOBAL that build educational infrastructure that my children might use someday. To also escape from Japan's lost thirty years, I think it's important to develop talent who can challenge themselves overseas or build companies that can compete globally — and I'm terribly worried about my children's futures if we don't change the current situation where national power is declining from rising prices and young people aren't active.
Also, I love making things, so I want to do robotics too. In my student years I was researching and developing humanoid robots. Robotics is hot right now, so I'd like to build robots that blend into daily life. I think the ceiling has been hit on what can be accomplished with individual home appliances as they are today, and when you think about further reducing the burden of housework, I think it's essential to develop robots like humanoid robots that can use human-oriented infrastructure. So I want to eventually do that too in order to make the world more fun and interesting through the power of technology.
--- Finally, could you share a message for our readers?
Ando: I've talked about various things, but let me close by introducing my encounter with a method that increased my capacity for action. It's a reading technique called "Biri-doku" (now renamed "Warashibe Book Reading Method"). I can't explain the method itself, but to put the gist extremely simply — it's one of those self-management methods where you read a book for ten minutes a day while being aware of your worries and things you want to change, create one small action for the day from keywords and messages you gain, and actually take action. After doing this every day for 365 days, I became able to take action before agonizing — and through the accumulation of small actions, I became reasonably able to realize what I want to do.
So I think many people reading this article are also reading it because they have some worry or want a trigger. As a result of reading this article, I want you to try taking some action — anything at all. Contacting me because you found me interesting is also fine, I think. (laughs) Anyway, try taking some action!
Conclusion
Through the interview with Koki Ando, I was reminded afresh of the importance of continuing to challenge yourself. I am moved by Ando's attitude of engaging with various things throughout his student years with curiosity and drive.
Also, the importance of practicing "Biri-doku" and continuing to take action against the worries and challenges of daily life resonated strongly within me personally.
I hope Ando's story provides some kind of trigger for starting something or a hint for turning your life in a better direction for all of our readers.
For inquiries about TIMEWELL services mentioned in the article, please see here.
Other employee interviews can be found here.
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TIMEWELL Employee Interview Vol. 5 — Working Moms Can Shine! The New Way of Working TIMEWELL Realizes
In commemoration of International Women's Day on March 8th, we invited two working mothers at TIMEWELL — Ms. Takeuchi and Ms. Usui — to share their stories. Behind the scenes of supporting the world's #1 challenge infrastructure, what kinds of women are working in what kind of environment? Please see the challenges unique to TIMEWELL of these two who are balancing childcare and work.
Profiles
Mariko Takeuchi
Originally from Aichi Prefecture. Majored in education during her student years, worked as a kindergarten teacher, and left the profession when she had children. Wanting an environment where she could work while valuing time with her children, she began working at TIMEWELL Inc. as a pro assistant from March 2026. Currently handling design and administrative office operations, she also handles secretarial work including schedule management and administrative correspondence for clients.
Anna Usui
Originally from Kanagawa Prefecture. A versatile professional with experience as a registered dietitian. After graduating university, five years of practical experience at a hospital and nursing home. After working in staffing agency sales, worked for two years as a dietitian at the headquarters of her previous company. Put her career on hold when she had children. Joined TIMEWELL Inc. at the introduction of an acquaintance. Handles multitasking centered on article writing, sales support, and secretarial work, with sales assistant as her base.
Profiles Challenging from No Experience! The Trigger for Joining TIMEWELL and Current Responsibilities Anxiety Is Always There When Balancing Childcare? Changes After Joining and Skill Development What's the Secret to a Good Work Environment? The Reasons for Continuing to Work at TIMEWELL With Support, Nothing Is Scary! TIMEWELL's Environment Supporting Moms' Challenges Conclusion
Challenging from No Experience! The Trigger for Joining TIMEWELL and Current Responsibilities
--- Could you first introduce yourselves and tell us about the work you're currently doing?
Takeuchi: I'm Mariko Takeuchi from the TIMEWELL administrative office. I've been with TIMEWELL for about a year. The work I'm involved in is design — making flyers, thumbnails, key visuals, and landing pages. I also handle secretarial work for clients. Pleased to meet you.
Usui: I'm Anna Usui. I've been with TIMEWELL for about a year and a half. Currently, with sales assistant as my base, I handle article writing, sales support, and pretty much whatever is needed — I'm kind of a jack-of-all-trades.
--- What kinds of work were you both doing before joining TIMEWELL, and what was the trigger for joining?
Takeuchi: After graduating from an education department in university, I worked for five years as a kindergarten teacher. After that I spent time as a full-time housewife, doing housework and raising children. I was living a life unrelated to computers, but an acquaintance who was working at TIMEWELL reached out to me. I was told it was fine even without computer experience, and despite my anxiety, I decided to join.
Usui: After graduating university, I worked for five years as a registered dietitian at a hospital and nursing home. After that I did about a year in staffing agency sales, then worked for two years as a dietitian at my previous company's headquarters. I left to become a full-time housewife when I had children, but an acquaintance already working at TIMEWELL reached out to me. Hearing that I could work from home in pockets of free time, I started as a way of returning to society.
Anxiety Is Always There When Balancing Childcare? Changes After Joining and Skill Development
--- Were you anxious about working while having children?
Takeuchi: I was only able to touch the computer during nap times or after the children went to sleep at night, so I was worried about causing inconvenience. Also, when there's urgent work, I'd need to turn away from the children to use the computer, and I'd worry about whether I was burdening them. But clients and staff all understand, and they tell me to put the children first, so now I don't have that much anxiety.
Usui: Same for me — my child is a real mama's kid, so I was anxious about whether I'd be able to work at night. But when my child had a fever and such, everyone covered for me and told me to do it when the child was better. Now my child has gotten used to the rhythm of me working, and on nights when I have meetings, she's started going to bed with Daddy — I could sense my child growing too.
▼ Usui's work scene with her mama's-kid child
--- What do you feel glad about since joining TIMEWELL?
Takeuchi: As a housewife you don't have new communities, but since joining TIMEWELL I've gotten new people to talk to, which is really enjoyable. Also, I thought computers were impossible for me, but the support is generous and I've been able to keep learning new things — being able to feel that I can still grow was a good thing.
Usui: Before I started working, I was living a childcare-centered life and didn't have much opportunity to be recognized by anyone. Since working at TIMEWELL, I can have adult conversations, and the administrative staff evaluate my work — my self-esteem has gone up. Even when I can't take on sudden work because of the children, I'm really grateful that they don't treat it negatively and respond accordingly.
--- Are there new skills you've been able to acquire since joining TIMEWELL?
Usui: I've become able to build small apps, and even though I was bad at writing, I've become able to write articles too. I've been given the chance to challenge myself in work I didn't know about before — like interacting with clients and corresponding with students. I've been realizing lately that there are still so many things I'm capable of.
Takeuchi: Since I started from zero, everything I'm doing now is a new skill. In particular, in design work, I can feel the rules and knowledge of design steadily building up. Also, I've become able to use apps I didn't use before joining TIMEWELL, and I've been able to learn business keigo (formal Japanese) too. In correspondence with clients, I also use AI when composing email text.
▼ Takeuchi enjoying the many learnings through her work
What's the Secret to a Good Work Environment? The Reasons for Continuing to Work at TIMEWELL
--- Could you tell us why you want to continue at TIMEWELL?
Takeuchi: Unlike other jobs, TIMEWELL doesn't have a fixed schedule for the day, so it's easy to respond to a child's sudden fever or injury. The flexibility of being able to work in available pockets of time is a way of working you don't often find elsewhere. Also, everyone around me is a nice person — they compliment even small things, and being able to communicate is an environment that's hard to come by in remote work — so I want to continue.
Usui: For me, being taught new information and knowledge is good. Even in fields I didn't know about before, they share information with me even without specialist knowledge, so it's easy to challenge myself in various genres. Also, I can express my opinions without worrying much about position, and sometimes those opinions get adopted — I think that's what's good about TIMEWELL, that it fuels my desire to challenge myself.
--- How do you feel TIMEWELL's ease of working is reflected in the services it provides?
Usui: TIMEWELL Base, the app TIMEWELL offers, makes it easy for everyone to coordinate schedules — so it benefits both working people and non-working people. It's a service that lets you think about your life on a time axis, and I think the working environment is reflected in it.
Takeuchi: The assistant service is set up so that support can be brought in for people who are overwhelmed with work, creating a balance of supply and demand. Even within TIMEWELL's administrative office, there are people working in different environments — people doing it as a side job, housewives, and so on — and I think it's precisely because there's an environment where busy people can help each other out that we're able to provide good service to clients.
With Support, Nothing Is Scary! TIMEWELL's Environment Supporting Moms' Challenges
--- Was there someone or something that encouraged you to challenge yourself at TIMEWELL from no experience?
Usui: It was significant that my family supported my desire to work. My husband told me he'd watch the children. Also, an acquaintance who was already working at TIMEWELL saying "let's try it together" was also a push. But above all, being able to feel that "I could continue working with these people" was the biggest thing. Even while doing childcare, I think anyone can challenge themselves when they have a little time — so please do try!
▼ The family cat is cheering us on too
Takeuchi: For me, it's my family, but above all the people working at TIMEWELL have been the biggest encouragement. When I joined TIMEWELL, I thought I'd only be doing simple tasks — but about two months in, I was asked if I wanted to try design. By taking that challenge, my possibilities expanded and it gave me confidence. Being praised by those around me is so pleasing, and my self-esteem has gone up. I thought I was someone who couldn't do things, but being able to feel "I've become able to do this kind of thing too" was wonderful.
--- Finally, could you share a message for our readers?
Usui: If you're bored with your current daily life, please try challenging various things and raising your own motivation and self-esteem. Your world will expand!
Takeuchi: I think it's something miraculous that someone like me — with no skills and who had never touched a computer — became able to do design and landing pages. That's possible for anyone other than me, so I hope all of you will take on lots of challenges!
▼ Challenge and level up! ♪
Conclusion
Through the interview with both of them, being able to feel — from their first step forward — how both of them are sparkling with a desire to challenge lots of things, I sensed that TIMEWELL is becoming a place of new challenges and growth for working moms.
Having an environment where you can work true to yourself while raising children is truly wonderful. I hope today's story gave a push in the back to those who are thinking about challenging themselves going forward.
For details about TIMEWELL and inquiries, please see here.
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