We recently connected with Sayaka Nitta and have shared our conversation below.

Sayaka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One of the biggest trends I am seeing in my industry is the growing focus on scalp health, a shift from the traditional emphasis on hair treatments like color and cuts. My partner and I were among the first to introduce head spa services to the U.S., where scalp care has long been recognized in Japan as the foundation for healthy hair. Seven years ago, when we opened “Blow Me Away” salon and head spa in Los Angeles, hardly anyone knew about head spas. My partner Arisa and I started with just a few appointments a day, but today, thanks to consistent promotion, we have a three-month waiting list.

Over the years, we’ve evaluated the scalp conditions of over 100,000 individuals, and from that experience, we developed NEKKO, a product line specifically designed to promote scalp and hair health. Although this is our first venture into creating and marketing products, and we’ve faced challenges along the way, we remain dedicated to spreading the importance of scalp health through our head spa treatments.

Our consistent efforts to raise awareness of scalp care are finally paying off, but this is just the beginning. We will continue to challenge ourselves to spread this message further, as we believe that healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp.

Sayaka, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Our inspiration to launch the brand came in 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Until that time, Arisa and I had been working as head spa technicians, providing scalp care to many clients and witnessing remarkable results. However, when the pandemic forced salons to close, we felt a strong need to create products that would allow our clients to continue their scalp care routines at home. We especially wanted to offer solutions to support those who had experienced improvements in their scalp environment, such as increased hair growth or thickening. This is how NEKKO care was born.

The name “NEKKO” is derived from the Japanese word meaning “root” (根), symbolizing the idea of nurturing healthy hair from its roots. We chose this name with the hope that by cultivating a healthy foundation, strong and beautiful hair would grow.

NEKKO was created by Sayaka and Arisa together. As a stylist, Arisa initially had no detailed knowledge of scalp or hair health, but when she started researching solutions for her clients’ concerns such as hair loss, dry scalp, and dandruff, she discovered trichology. She realized that her true mission was to educate others about scalp health and wellness. Today, Arisa combines her trichology knowledge with Japanese Head Spa techniques, providing authentic scalp care through NEKKO to people worldwide, beyond the salon.

On the other hand, Sayaka was often troubled by seeing clients struggle with dandruff and thinning hair, even if they were satisfied with their haircuts or color. She strongly believes that the scalp should be cared for just as we care for our skin. Sayaka’s goal for NEKKO is to deliver the benefits of amazing Japanese ingredients to everyone, promoting healthy and beautiful hair, and making not just her clients but everyone feel confident and beautiful from the inside out.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Arisa and I met while working as head spa technicians at Blowmeaway’s Organic Salon and Headspa. We both shared the same passion for helping people in the United States who struggle with scalp and hair concerns, which led us to create NEKKO together.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We place great importance on maintaining communication with our customers and fostering brand loyalty. First, we regularly share product usage tips, scalp and hair care advice, and the latest updates through our email newsletters and social media. Additionally, we respond promptly and thoughtfully to customer inquiries and feedback to build trust. To establish long-term relationships, we offer special promotions and loyalty programs to express our gratitude to our customers. This approach helps enhance customer satisfaction and cultivate loyalty to our brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nekkocare.com
• Instagram: nekkocare
• Facebook: nekkocare

Image Credits

Sayaka Nitta Arisa Watanabe