September 2023 Luncheon: “The JOYA way – inspired by Ganbatte” | Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ)

+ Thank you to those who attended the luncheon!
Have a look at our article to find out what was discussed!

We are pleased to invite you to our September Luncheon with Mr. Claudio Minder and Mr. Karl Müller (Health Shoe Entrepreneur, kybun Joya Group), who will deliver a speech titled “The JOYA way – inspired by Ganbatte”.

SCCIJ September 2023 Luncheon Speakers : Mr. Claudio Minder and Mr. Karl Müller (Health Shoe Entrepreneur, kybun Joya Group)

In their presentation for the SCCIJ, the Co-founders, Mr. Minder and Mr. Müller (kybun Joya Group), will talk about the inspiring journey of building a health shoe company with a turnover of CHF 85M within 15 years and the unique challenges they face as pioneers. They emphasize friendship’s vital role in their success, as collective support, trust, and collaboration bolstered resilience.
Mr. Minder and Mr. Müller will share valuable insights gained from experiences in international business, particularly dealing with Japan. They will explore the cultural nuances, business etiquette, and negotiation strategies that enabled us to forge successful partnerships in this dynamic market. By sharing their story, they hope to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and highlight the significance of perseverance, friendship, and cross-cultural understanding in achieving business goals.

Date & Time:	Tuesday, September 5, 2023 12:00-14:00 (D.O.: 11:45)
Venue:	Shangri-La Tokyo (MAP) Rooms “Conway 2&3”, 27F
Entry Fee:	Members: JPY 6,500 or 1 SCCIJ Voucher 2023 Non-Members: JPY 8,000
Registration:	*Registration Closed* (Deadline: August 30, 2023) Please inform us of dietary restrictions if any. No-shows/cancellations after deadline will be fully charged SCCIJ members will be prioritized.
Concept:	This event consists in a 3-course lunch followed by a presentation (and Q&A). The setting is ideal for networking. Participants are typically members of the Swiss-Japanese business community, but non-members are also welcome to join. Seats are not attributed (free seating). Dress code is business / business casual.
Disclaimer:	Please note that a film crew will be present at this event and will capture some footage of the presentation for a TV documentary. If you do not wish to appear in these videos, kindly notify the crew at the event. The SCCIJ may film and take photographs of this event. If you participate, please be noted that these pictures and videos may be used in various media, such as the SCCIJ website, SCCIJ social networking sites, and SCCIJ promotional materials. If you do not want to appear on these pictures and/or videos, kindly notify the SCCIJ staff at the event. The views expressed by the speaker(s) may not necessarily reflect those of the SCCIJ as an organization.
Inquiries:	By e-mail to info@sccij.jp

Biography of the Speakers:

Mr. Claudio Minder, born in 1980, grew up in southern Italy as the son of Swiss emigrants. At 18 he returned to Switzerland, where he worked first as a customs officer and then as a radio presenter. In 2008, together with Karl Müller, he founded the company Joya shoes, which produces and sells healthy shoes. As a result of company takeovers and the merger with the shoe brand kybun, he now heads the kybun Joya Group with over 200 employees. Mr. Minder lives with his family in Appenzellerland, he loves the Alpstein and covers more than 1000 km a year in his running shoes. In addition to his intensive studies at the HSG, his work as CEO and his role as a father, he is constantly looking for new adventures. Mr. Minder recently stood on the 5985 m high roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mr. Karl Müller, the fourth, born in South Korea in 1985, son of a Swiss engineer and a South Korean mother. Import fake branded clothes during business school to sell on Ebay. After they were caught, he founded the fashion label Mymui with his brother. After a trademark dispute with Miu Miu in 2006, he starts trading forex. With the stock market crash in 2008 and the realization that he would never speculate again, he founded the company Joya Shoes together with Claudio Minder. This produces and sells healthy shoes with the aim of helping people to walk and stand without pain. As a result of the successful takeover of the traditional shoe brand Kandahar and the merger with the shoe brand kybun in spring 2022, Mr. Müller now manages a group of companies with over 200 employees. This is represented in over 40 countries and sells 400,000 pairs of shoes every year. Mr. Müller bears the same name as his father, Karl Müller III, the health shoe pioneer and inventor of the MBT roller shoes. He does sport every day, is an enthusiastic football fan, and prefers to cheer for FC St. Gallen. Outside of work, Mr. Müller likes to travel, currently to South America and Southeast Asia.