Episode 20

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Published on:

5th Dec 2022

Les Mills is in Japan but they don’t own a single gym, how do they do it? Featuring Ly Nguyen

Not all businesses in Japan have to be a physical product. Licensing your IP (Intellectual Property) can be another way to do business in Japan and in this episode we hear from Les Mills Japan, Managing Director, Ly Nguyen on what it’s been like growing the market in Japan around licensing exercise and training programmes.  

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In this episode you’ll hear:

  • Some of the differences between the New Zealand and Japanese fitness markets (including tattoos and not leaving class early!!)
  • How Ly mixes her respect for Japanese culture with a dose of “Gaijin magic” to have effective conversations
  • How licensing can work well as a formula to inspire people to work out
  • The opportunities for growth and the underserved market of young people in Japan
  • Japan’s pivot to focus on wellness over weight loss and the potential for Kiwi businesses

About Ly

Ly has been an entrepreneur from her early career and developed impeccable business instincts and agility for adjusting to the market she is in. Japan is no different as she applies this entrepreneurial lens across the business and roll out the Les Mills brand in the Japan market. Ly has been with Les Mills since 2011 and is now the 

Connect with Ly

Website: https://www.lesmills.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynguyen2021/    


Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

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About the Podcast

Jandals in Japan
Bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
The best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
How do you build a brand in Japan and nurture a loyal customer base?
What do you need to have in your tool belt if you are thinking of coming to Japan to launch a business here?
Japan is often considered to be in the "too hard" basket but we are here to open up the black box of doing business in Japan.
We will share stories from successful Kiwis selling their products and services here in Japan.
They'll tell you their tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.
They'll share their challenges and what they did to overcome them.
They will tell you things you can't find in textbooks or on the internet.
We will also be sharing the latest intel and insights on Japan from our on-the-ground presence
And you'll hear some super business culture and other tips from us sprinkled throughout.
Grab a glass of sake and let's get into it.
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About your hosts

Jayne Nakata

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Jayne Nakata is a Southland girl who arrived in Japan in 2002, planning to stay just two years. 20 years later she is still living in Fukushima Prefecture with her Japanese husband and two children. When the triple disaster hit in 2011, Jayne made the commitment to stay in Fukushima and contribute to rebuilding the area. She is the host of the award winning podcast Transformations with Jayne, which is a favourite with international women living in Japan. She is also the double award winning podcast producer and manager for PodLaunch with Jayne.

Catherine O’Connell

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Born and bred in Christchurch, Catherine O'Connell landed in Japan in 2002, on a one year contract, and 20 years later she's planted her feet firmly in Japan. She built a wealth of business and cultural experience working at the coal face of brand-name Japanese corporates as in house legal counsel. Catherine took a leap of faith down the entrepreneurial route launching her own multi award-winning boutique law firm in Tokyo in 2018, being the first Kiwi and first foreign female to do so. She is Vice Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan and helps businesses thrive in the Japan market delivering business insights meshed with legal instincts. Catherine is also host of the award-winning Lawyer on Air Podcast.