"Revolutionizing the Textile Industry with CO2-Derived Thread" — A Life-Changing Turning Point from the Shido Program | TIMEWELL

A look at Hitoshi Marui, who is working on developing thread made from CO2-derived resin to bring innovation to the textile industry. He transitioned from teacher to family business successor and won top prize at the startup accelerator program "Shido." We dig into Marui's challenge of pursuing sustainable development in the textile industry from a global perspective.

Self-Introduction: From a Life of Rugby to the Family Textile Business Taking the First Step Toward Change: Meeting the Shido Project A Shift in Thinking Through the Shido Program: The Work of Turning Wrong Answers into Right Ones Hitoshi Marui's Vision and Message Going Forward

Hitoshi Marui

Marui Textile Machinery Co., Ltd.

Textile machinery manufacturing and sales business: Manufacturing and sales of textile processing machinery Engineering business: Improvement of existing machinery and design and manufacturing of specialty machinery Specialty textile R&D, prototyping, and production business: Design and manufacturing (R&D) of specialty fiber products used in medicine, aerospace, energy industries, and more.

After a career as an educator, he joined the family business, Marui Textile Machinery Co., Ltd. Working on the development of thread using CO2-derived resin aimed at innovation in an environmentally conscious textile industry. Participated in the startup accelerator program "Shido" and won top prize in the 9th cohort.

Self-Introduction: From a Life of Rugby to the Family Textile Business

— Please start with a brief self-introduction.

My name is Hitoshi Marui. I was born on October 13, 1990, and I'm a Libra.

Originally I was completely devoted to rugby — a real sports fanatic. After working various jobs including teaching, I am now head of new business at my family's textile company, Marui Textile Machinery.

— What were you like as a child and student?

My father was entirely devoted to rugby and is now the company president. Because of his influence, I think from the outside our family must have looked like something out of "Star of the Giants." There was a big utility pole in front of our house, and he used to say things like, "Don't come home until you knock that down."

I continued playing rugby from first grade all the way through university graduation. I was playing at a university that aimed for the national championship, so I was setting my sights high — with great presumption — and kept at it with the dream of going professional. But I was nowhere near good enough.

Still, the physical strength I built through rugby, and the mentality of seeing through to completion whatever goal I set — those might be things I learned from rugby.

— Was there something that prompted you to return home and take over the family business?

Originally I had no intention of taking over the family business, and I became a teacher out of admiration for a mentor from middle school — but illness forced me to leave teaching.

From there, going back to the family company felt like a defeat, so I tried various business ventures on my own — but through lack of knowledge, nothing went well. In the end, everyone around me was worried about what would happen if things were left as they were, and they drew me in to the family business. That's how it started.

▼ "Even now, I sometimes run into former students when walking around Osaka."

Taking the First Step Toward Change: Meeting the Shido Project

— What brought you to learn about the Shido Project and apply?

I didn't know the first thing about business, and I had nothing but failures in various jobs — but because I always wanted to improve myself, there was a period when I was seeking learning wherever I could find it.

In the middle of all that, I saw a Facebook post in a business successors' community from a member saying they had participated in Shido, learned a lot, and recommended it to everyone. That was how I learned about this program, and I plucked up the courage to apply.

— What plan did you submit for the Shido Project?

The textile industry is dominated by materials like polyester and nylon — and those are all petroleum-derived.

So the industry has been criticized for years by the United Nations for being harmful to the environment.

In the middle of that, our company is trying to make thread using CO2-derived resin.

I thought it was an interesting idea, and we had been pursuing R&D even as a small company — but R&D takes time and money, and for a small company like ours it's difficult. But I strongly wanted to put this technology into practical use, which is why I applied to the project.

— How was it after you applied to the Shido Project?

At first I thought I was in the wrong place.

Looking at the guidelines — hundreds of applicants, 150 would be selected, and of those, the top 30 who worked hardest would get to go to Silicon Valley. "Silicon Valley" — I had the impression that it was in America, and I thought it had nothing to do with me.

On the first day at Toranomon, I couldn't understand half of what was being said. "Will this be okay? Will I keep up?" — that was my first impression of Shido.

A Shift in Thinking Through the Shido Program: The Work of Turning Wrong Answers into Right Ones

— Were there any changes in yourself after participating in the Shido Program?

What I remember most vividly is the first lecture.

The words of Yuichiro Shimizu, president of For Startups, resonated with me: "When you start a business, all kinds of problems will naturally arise. But the work of commercialization is about turning those wrong answers into right ones."

Because I myself had experienced so many failures, I conveniently interpreted this to mean that all my wrong answers could be turned into right ones.

The Shido program has truly remarkable people participating as instructors and mentors.

At first I couldn't understand half of what they were saying, but it sparked a desire to learn — the thought that "once I can understand every word they're saying, I'll be a full-fledged person." I became determined to grow here. It was the moment my mindset shifted fundamentally.

— How was Silicon Valley?

Being able to go to Silicon Valley was truly a precious experience. The lessons I took away from Silicon Valley are beyond counting, but meeting the people there left the strongest impression on me.

The people there were all kind and taught me so many things — and above all, I sensed in them a kind of ease as human beings.

I have always had the habit, since my days as a rugby player and teacher, of setting a model person to aim for and working backward from there to figure out what I need to do. But as a businessperson — and particularly as an entrepreneur operating globally — I didn't know what the "right answer" looked like.

In that context, meeting the people at the Shido program and in Silicon Valley, and seeing the direction I should be aiming for, was a huge learning.

— What were the people you met in Silicon Valley like?

First, the scale of the numbers they talk in is orders of magnitude different. And the passion for realizing their ideas was also in an entirely different league.

Before going to Silicon Valley, I had decided to absorb everything I could there, and I resolved to always stay close to the people I thought were most impressive among those going with me.

One of those people said, "Let's meet in the lobby at 6 AM and run together." I immediately replied "I'll be there," and thanks to that continuing every day, I was able to live a disciplined life.

But because I need time to absorb what I've learned during the day, I was desperately reviewing until the middle of the night — and before I knew it, it was already time for the morning meetup, and I often rushed out of my room.

During the 8-day Silicon Valley stay, I was averaging something like one hour of sleep — but it was genuinely enjoyable, and there was so much to gain that sleeping felt like a waste.

▼ Training session at Playground, a VC focused on deep tech hardware in Silicon Valley

Hitoshi Marui's Vision and Message Going Forward

— What plans are you thinking about going forward?

For my vision going forward, I know I need to achieve global expansion — and to that end, I need to take on the challenge of fundraising, organize internal structures, and advance research and development.

Making good things, spreading Japan-born sustainable materials to the world, and contributing globally.

I want even a small company like ours to be able to play that kind of role.

Europe looks set to become a major battleground for sustainable materials, so I'm also looking at entering Europe in the future — but personally, the influence I received in Silicon Valley was enormous. I even declared to people there, "I'll definitely be back!" So someday I want to establish a base in San Francisco too.

— Finally, a message for those thinking about joining the Shido Program.

It's presumptuous of me to say this, but it's truly a program I want to recommend.

I participated in Shido knowing nothing about business, but the learning I gained there was genuinely wide-ranging, and every day I was confronted with how little I knew.

But the good thing about Shido is that everyone — including the members — is forward-looking. Because it gathers people who are all challenging something, being around that thinking naturally inspires you to push yourself too, and you gain a new, positive mindset.

I have nothing but gratitude for Shido, and I'm truly glad I found this community.

So for anyone who is wavering — please summon your courage and dive in. You'll surely meet wonderful friends.

▼ At the final pitch competition (DEMO DAY) of the Shido Project

Writer in charge: Hitomi Kimura / Yumiko Homma

Learning from Gary Vaynerchuk the "Power of Keeping Posting" — The Daily Action Philosophy That Moves Business

In recent years, digital marketing strategy and social media utilization have been attracting more and more attention in business settings. In particular, the "strategy of posting every day" advocated by Gary Vaynerchuk is valued as an effective means for companies and individuals to grow. He states flatly: "What matters is daily continuous posting — keep trying until you find content that actually works."

This article unpacks Gary Vaynerchuk's words to focus on themes including daily social media posting, learning from failure, and redefining your sense of professional self-worth — explaining in detail strategies that business executives and individual business owners can put into practice right now.

The Practical Strategy for Business Success That Daily Posting Demonstrates The Strategy of Self-Growth and Overcoming Adversity by Learning from Failure Self-Worth as a Professional and Market Positioning Strategy Conclusion The Practical Strategy for Business Success That Daily Posting Demonstrates

Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes that "it's not the first post — daily posting is what matters." Rather than fixating on producing results in the early stage of posting, the methodology that generates results is trial-and-error and continuity.

For example, he pointed out a failure by a subordinate in an SNS live stream, while at the same time highly praising the attitude of growing from that experience. He sent firm but encouraging words to the subordinate: "Including what didn't work — use it going forward." This episode succinctly demonstrates how important it is, in a fiercely competitive market, to believe in yourself and maintain an upward drive even in the face of failure and unexpected trouble.

Gary Vaynerchuk also says about his own approach to digital activity: "No matter how simple the first post, that simple self-introduction can potentially become the starting point of future success." Touching on the possibility that a post as simple as "Hi, I'm Karen" could boldly become the foundation of later success, he recommends the posture of pursuing volume first rather than fixating on content quality. And once effective content has been identified, the strategy is to invest further resources into it. This is a strategy that maintains the balance of risk and opportunity — not neglecting new trials and creative exploration, always gauging market response and pivoting flexibly.

This strategy is not limited to social media — it can be applied across a wide range of media including online live streaming, video content, and blog updates. Gary Vaynerchuk himself, over the past several years, has used these media to establish his own brand and gained many followers. His experience vividly demonstrates how important the balance of results-focus and process-focus is for today's business professionals. His message — "keep posting and results will definitely come" — once again highlights the importance of not clinging to existing success experiences and always challenging new attempts.

The Strategy of Self-Growth and Overcoming Adversity by Learning from Failure

Gary Vaynerchuk argues powerfully that "failure" and "adversity" in corporate management and individual careers are valuable experiences. He himself has overcome many trials throughout his career, achieving growth that cannot be measured by short-term results of half a year or a year.

In business settings, there are often moments when you feel "I have no choice but to stay as I am." But Gary Vaynerchuk speaks harshly to people in such situations: "No matter how many years you've spent, you cannot make excuses that you 'can't get out of here.'" He emphasizes that staying in the same environment for many years inhibits self-growth, and that for companies and individuals to change, rather than settling for the status quo, taking a step forward is necessary.

He also sends messages to mid-level and senior professionals. For example, in response to a consultation from a thirty-seven-year-old man feeling anxious about the business and career he had worked on for a long time, he argues that "even mid-way through life, you can always encounter turning points and new challenges — without being bound by your age or past efforts, you should open up your own future."

In business settings, learning from failure connects directly to the growth of the entire organization. Managers and leaders must create an environment in which employees can challenge new initiatives without fear of failure. Gary Vaynerchuk teaches that all failure should be leveraged as "experience value," and that the accumulation of that experience brings great results later on. He says that instilling the mindset of viewing failure not as a temporary defeat but as the next step is the shortcut to sustainable company growth.

Self-Worth as a Professional and Market Positioning Strategy

Personal identity and professional success are often conflated, but Gary Vaynerchuk states flatly that work success and follower count are not everything that defines your worth. Even in his own career, he teaches that internal fulfillment — the evaluation received from family and a small number of truly trustworthy companions — rather than work results or numerical evaluation, is the most important element.

This thinking is an extremely meaningful lesson for many entrepreneurs and business professionals in the modern social media era. Many people tend to make their career and achievements dependent on follower counts or "likes" on social media, but Gary Vaynerchuk argues strongly that true happiness and professional worth should depend on internal conviction separate from external evaluation. He says that "how much influence you have in close relationships, rather than how much business success you've achieved," contributes to actual internal fulfillment and growth.

In the modern era, many professionals carry anxiety and doubts about their own success and achievements. But Gary Vaynerchuk frankly states that "deep anxiety and inner weakness exist in everyone." He himself has experienced many failures and setbacks, and emphasizes that those experiences are precisely what have led to his current success. Based on that, he teaches that to redefine self-worth, rather than clinging to existing success, you need to always face change and update yourself.

From the perspective of market positioning, companies are required, in their branding and marketing strategies, to convey genuine value rather than surface success. For example, providing customers with highly transparent information and putting internal values like the company's mission and vision front and center can win market trust. The methodology Gary Vaynerchuk practices is none other than the posture of valuing communication rooted in human relationships and emotions — not merely chasing numbers. Through this, even when the market environment becomes harsh, customers can continue to hold long-term trust toward that company or brand.

When corporate brand value and market results are not linked, he encourages creating new content and strengthening two-way communication with customers as concrete actions to close that gap. In other words, rather than depending too much on brand value, you should always listen to the market's voice and incorporate feedback to drive the evolution and growth of the brand. This approach will undoubtedly be understood as an essential strategy for companies to survive in the now intensely competitive digital age. His advice connects to the courage of exposing vulnerability and inner weakness, and the concrete actions for overcoming them — ultimately forming the path to establishing competitive advantage in the market.

Conclusion

Through this article, we have delved into the strategy centering on daily posting that Gary Vaynerchuk advocates, the mindset for learning from failure and growing, and the method for redefining true self-worth as a professional. Understanding the continuous challenge posture as the foundation for success in a changing market — and simultaneously as the fundamental strategy for companies to win internal and external trust — should now be clear. Actions for overcoming adversity without fear of failure, and the flexible thinking that doesn't depend on self-evaluation, are essential elements in the modern business environment.

The most important message from Gary Vaynerchuk is the importance of taking action, of continuing to challenge without fear of failure, and of advancing without losing sight of your true self-worth. In the business world, where constant change and learning are demanded, the attitude of growing through daily practice and feedback is the one and only method for achieving success. Gary Vaynerchuk's practical advice will undoubtedly serve as an action guide for business leaders and marketers going forward — a compass for aiming higher.

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYHiaPN5pJA

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"Revolutionizing the Textile Industry with CO2-Derived Thread" — A Life-Changing Turning Point from the Shido Program | TIMEWELL