About

Yuko Funahashi

Multi Producer / Representative Director, Livela Inc.

With experience living in five countries, designing world-class luxury spaces, consulting with more than 7,000 people and supporting business growth to around JPY 3 billion in annual revenue, Yuko is a producer who repositions Japanese offerings as brands chosen by customers overseas.

A world of experience, applied to Japanese value.

After graduating from Hosei University’s Faculty of Lifelong Learning and Career Studies, Yuko moved to the United States to study English. She then worked as cabin crew for Qatar Airways before studying interior design on the Foundation Course at University of the Arts London.

At HBA / Hirsch Bedner Associates, she contributed to the design of five-star hotels around the world, developing an international perspective on space, experiences and luxury.

In 2018, she joined the launch of a new company as the right-hand partner to the president of an investment company. Over seven years, she contributed to growing the business from zero to more than JPY 3 billion in annual revenue.

She became independent in 2022, expanding her business to a scale of JPY 300 million through property investment, rental operations and related activities. She holds Japan’s Real Estate Transaction Agent qualification. In her beauty salon business, a one-room, one-bed, one-staff model achieved a 90% next-appointment booking rate from its first year and generated JPY 30 million in annual profit.

Yuko moved to Germany in 2025. Today, alongside consulting for salon businesses and supporting online businesses, she helps reposition Japanese offerings through an international lens, connecting brand development with premium pricing and overseas expansion.

In 2026, she joined an overseas expansion project for a used-car business as project manager. The project secured JPY 300 million in profit in its first year.

Bringing people, products and ideas to the world.

Connecting expertise in spaces, experiences and business to help Japanese offerings become brands chosen internationally. Reframing their appeal for premium positioning and overseas expansion.