Oto Kuboki - SOZO Education
Passion and craftsmanship often lead hairdressers on journeys that cross cultural and geographic boundaries. This is especially true for Oto Kuboki, who seamlessly blends Canadian and Japanese influences in her work. From choosing Japan as the destination for honing her skills to joining SOZO Education with a vision of global collaboration, her story is one of dedication, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. In this Q&A, we delve into her personal journey, insights into the hair industry, and what continues to inspire them. Let's dive into the world of a true Hair Nerd.
Tell us your life story in 3 sentences.
Being born between Canadian and Japanese culture, I always wanted to find an identity for myself, which led me to discover my passion in doing hair. Being a hairdresser allowed me to cross these paths and bring the two worlds together. I've met so many people with the same passion, and now my calling is to share this passion and help others find their own identity.
Why did you chose Japan to go to hair school?
Every time I've visited Japan, I felt that Japanese people take craftmanship and profession very seriously. Hairdressers in Japan spend years training and apprenticing to build a very strong foundation. I admired that level of discipline and I wanted to live up to my maximum potential as a hairdresser.
What about SOZO Education made you want to join their team?
SOZO Education was created out of a strong will to make the hair industry as a whole, better. We teach Japanese hairdressers to diversify their skills, and we host foreign hairdressers so that they can work with Japanese level skills in their own country. I enjoy working towards a greater goal and I love meeting other hairdressers!
What are the top three things people should know about SOZO Education?
Our vision is to make hairdressers all over the world (and their customers as a result) happier.
Our community is not bound to a country or a continent. Our goal is to facilitate collaborations and education from and to anywhere globally.
We believe in the strong transformative power of continued education. By empowering and elevating the skill levels of hairdressers globally, we can all be happier!
What are the differences you see in the industry between Japan and North America?
I think that Japanese hairdressers have an especially high sense of professionalism and discipline when it comes to their craft. Japanese hairdressers devote the first several years of their hairdressing journey building a strong basic foundation. There's a strong emphasis on precision and intricacy of both technique and customer service. My image of North American hairdressers is that they are widely creative and individualistic. This diversity has constantly been inspirational to Japanese hairdressers, who frequently look at North American hairstyles for new ideas!
Where do you see hair education heading in the next few years? Why?
Traveling within countries and receiving remote education has never been more convenient. I see hair education becoming even more accessible to hairdressers who could not physically access it or didn't think to previously. I believe that strongly ambitious and forward thinking hairdressers around the world will find each other and cultivate a global community where we elevate each other and better the industry as a whole.
What is your non-hair related guilty pleasure?
My favorite unhealthy habit is doing drunk karaoke! Belting Celine Dion with a cold beer in my hand really releases every stress in my body!!
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Someone once made me realize that every person in our lives perceives us differently and there is no exact same version of you existing in the minds of two different people. Even you yourself can only see yourself as who you are from your own perspective. It's a huge waste of time to try to change the way people perceive you! I realized that the best thing I can do for me is to simply exist and not worry about other people's realities.
What is currently inspiring you?
This past year, I've had many opportunities to meet hairdressers from around the world. Meeting people who have longer careers than I do, constantly strive for greatness and further education really motivates me to continue perfecting my craft.
I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…
Everything I do revolves around hair! I watch anime and wonder if the hairstyle could be recreated on a human, or I travel overseas and always finding myself looking for hair salons. I'm happy every second I'm thinking about hair!
Where can people find out more about you?
My Instagram is @oto.hair.club and I constantly post about my personal and professional life here in Japan. Follow me!
Interested in hanging out with Oto on our Hairventure to Osaka + Kyoto, Japan?
Check out the Hairventure!
