![[Yumelia Founding Story 1/3] From the University of Tokyo to PwC to Entrepreneurship: How I Built Yumelia](https://82aertddqwkn9c3f.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/uploads/d-kOW76xfNkO.png)
As a child, I was quiet and quite introverted.
During recess, while my classmates played tag outside, I often preferred to read a book alone. I wasn't comfortable being in the spotlight or proactively joining the center of a group.
Despite this, I went on to the University of Tokyo, worked at PwC Consulting, and now run a travel company.
In this article, I will look back at the journey that led to the establishment of Yumelia Inc., starting from my childhood.
Born in Los Angeles, and a Longing for Overseas
I was born in Los Angeles, USA.
As I was very young, I have almost no memories of living there. Nevertheless, as I heard stories of living abroad from my parents, I developed a longing for overseas.
I wanted to live in an unknown country. I wanted to see cultures and values different from Japan with my own eyes. As I grew up, that longing transformed into an interest in travel.
My love for travel isn't simply about experiencing the extraordinary. When I visit unfamiliar places, I realize that the values I once took for granted are merely one option among many in the world.
Cuisine, work styles, urban design, personal space—the fundamental assumptions of daily life change from country to country.
Travel also taught me the narrowness of the world I lived in.
The University of Tokyo Was the Closest National University to My Home
I'm often asked why I aimed for the University of Tokyo.
It wasn't due to a strong sense of mission or a particular formative experience.
It was simply because the University of Tokyo was the closest national university to my home.
In my first year of high school, I vaguely thought that if I kept studying, I might get in. While the actual entrance exam preparation was not easy, I rarely thought, 'I can't do this.' Once I set a goal, I would research what was needed and execute it. Through that accumulation, I would see how far I could go.
Looking back, this mindset also applies to my current business management. At the University of Tokyo, I studied electrical and electronic engineering in the Faculty of Engineering. Initially, I intended to become an engineer, utilizing the skills I learned at university.
However, in addition to developing technology itself, I also became interested in how to connect it to solving corporate and societal challenges.
That's why I chose a career as an IT consultant.
Why I Chose PwC
For my first job, I chose PwC Consulting.
It was known for having good people among the major consulting firms.
While job content and company reputation are important, I prioritized working with good people. In that regard, I believe choosing PwC was the right decision.
One of the best things about joining was meeting my colleagues.
They came from different universities and faculties, with diverse strengths and ways of thinking. Yet, I was fortunate to find colleagues I respected as individuals and wanted to work with. Regarding the work itself, there were differences from the impression I had before joining.
Consultants often have a glamorous image of discussing with executives and envisioning a company's future. However, the actual work often involves painstaking tasks like building Excel formulas, troubleshooting discrepancies in figures, and repeatedly revising documents.
From that experience, I learned the ability to organize ambiguous problems, deliver results within deadlines, and maintain an uncompromising attitude towards document quality.
The foundation I built at PwC is why I can now manage multiple businesses and projects simultaneously.
A Sense of Unease Amidst a Smooth Career
From an outsider's perspective, my career as a professional was smooth.
I was blessed with good workplace relationships, grew through my work, and received a stable salary every month. There was no clear reason why I had to leave the company.
Nevertheless, as I continued working, I began to question whether continuing to advance as a company employee was truly the best path for me.
Working on assigned tasks within a defined organization and being promoted according to an evaluation system offers stability.
However, I gradually began to feel dissatisfied with testing my potential solely within the confines of a company's system. At that time, I wasn't specifically planning to start a business.
The idea for a travel business didn't come to me in a meeting room or in front of a business plan, but on a plane returning from a trip.
What I Decided on a Plane Returning from Korea
In April 2025, on a plane returning to Japan from a trip to Korea, I was contemplating my future.
I wanted to travel more around the world.
I didn't want to give up on things I desired at my travel destinations just because of the price.
I wanted to shop more, stay in luxurious hotels, and have richer experiences.
To put it elegantly, I wanted to live a life of freedom. To be frank, I think I wanted the means to indulge more.
It's not that I'm uninterested in money. The desire to become prosperous through my own efforts is still very clear to me.
However, I also wondered if I could become someone who creates value through travel, rather than just being a consumer of travel.
There's no need to confine something I love so much as travel to just a holiday pleasure. I wanted to make traveling the world my job and succeed in business through my passion for travel. On that plane, I decided to establish a travel company.
Action Taken Immediately After Returning Home
After returning home, I researched the necessary systems to start a travel company.
That's when I learned about the national qualifications for Domestic Travel Services Manager and General Travel Services Manager. I checked the exam content and schedule and immediately applied to take them.
At that point, I had no experience working in the travel industry. I had no clients, nor any prospective projects.
Nevertheless, I didn't hesitate for long. Once I decided to start a travel company, I simply believed I needed to acquire the necessary qualifications, establish the company, and find clients.
For me, it's more suitable to start moving and then fill in the gaps, rather than waiting until everything is perfectly prepared.
The Origin of the Name Yumelia
When considering the company name, I wanted to use a flower I liked as a motif.
While researching flower names, I came across the sound 'Melia.' It had a soft and elegant impression, and I felt it matched the sense of exhilaration one gets at a travel destination.
To that, I added 'Yu,' the first sound of my own name, 'Yuri.' 'Yu' + 'Melia' became Yumelia.
The logo also incorporates a flower.
The company name embodies my individuality and the feeling that life becomes a little more vibrant through travel.
In November 2025, Yumelia Inc. was established.
Initially, we planned to focus on inbound travel for visitors coming to Japan from overseas.
Japan boasts world-class food culture, traditions, technology, and nature. However, when international clients seek experiences beyond typical sightseeing, language, booking methods, business customs, and personal connections can become barriers.
Our initial concept was to remove these barriers and create personalized trips to Japan for each individual.
Once the company was actually launched, our business expanded to include corporate travel, overseas inspections, interpretation and accompaniment services, and consulting.
When I decided to create a travel company, there were zero clients for the travel business and zero projected sales.
Even so, I never thought Yumelia would fail. Not because success was guaranteed.
But because I believed I just needed to keep doing what was necessary to succeed until results appeared.
Next time, I will write about why I was able to start a travel company with no clients or projected sales, and about the issues in the travel industry that I aim to change through Yumelia.