Yuko Wada shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Yuko, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
While she wasn’t a client in the traditional sense, I once had the incredible opportunity to do Maye Musk’s nails for a photoshoot. What surprised me most wasn’t something about her appearance or even her achievements—it was the powerful energy she radiated from within.
Her mindset was endlessly positive, and being in her presence gave me this deep sense of motivation and vitality. I genuinely felt younger and more energized just by being around her.
That experience reminded me how much our attitude and inner energy can impact others. It made me realize that I want to be that kind of person too—someone who lifts people up, not just through my work, but simply by being present.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Yuko Wada, founder of Hudson Studio, a New York–style nail spa based in Azabu-Juban, Tokyo.
After years of working as a nail artist in fashion shows and photo shoots in London and New York—collaborating with celebrities, Academy Award–winning actresses, and magazines like Vogue and Elle—I wanted to bring that high-fashion yet personal beauty experience to Tokyo.
Hudson Studio is not just a nail salon. It’s a creative and welcoming space where global influences meet Japanese quality and hospitality. We offer customized services like personal color consultations and “princess” treatments, making it a place where mothers, daughters, friends, and even hotel guests can enjoy beauty together.
What makes us unique is that we blend NYC’s bold, expressive style with Japanese attention to detail and care. Our goal is to create not only beautiful nails but also meaningful, energizing experiences for every guest.
Right now, we’re working on community-centered events, including kids’ nail workshops and bilingual services, to connect even more with our diverse and international neighborhood.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
One of my earliest and most powerful memories is watching my grandmother getting ready in front of her vanity. She always made sure to check her appearance from head to toe in the mirror before leaving the house. Although she wore Western clothes, the way she adjusted them reminded me of the graceful ritual of putting on a kimono—quiet, intentional, and full of care.
She would say, “Always take a moment to check yourself like this before stepping out.”
That quiet moment taught me that beauty isn’t just about how you look—it’s about how you hold yourself.
Even as a child, I felt the power of those rituals, and they’ve shaped everything I do today—from working backstage at fashion shows to creating a refined and personal nail experience in Tokyo.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a moment when I truly considered giving up.
After returning to Japan to open my own studio, I was surprised to learn that my career in New York didn’t hold much weight here.
Banks turned me down for loans, and even startup advisory offices told me I didn’t have enough “domestic experience” to move forward.
I thought it would be easy because of my track record abroad — but I kept hearing “no.” It was deeply discouraging.
Just when I started to think maybe I should give up, unexpected things happened — like a job request from Kanye West during my stay in Japan, and beautiful encounters with new clients through mobile nail services.
Those experiences reminded me that what I had built was meaningful, even if it wasn’t easily recognized.
That gave me the strength to keep going — and ultimately led to the opening of Hudson Studio.
Sometimes, rejection simply redirects you to where you’re truly meant to be.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say… the public version of me is a part of the real me — but not the whole picture.
When I’m working with clients or appearing in interviews, I bring my most professional, polished, and positive self — because I genuinely love what I do. That part is authentic.
But behind that, there’s also the quiet version of me who sometimes struggles, questions things, and needs solitude to recharge.
In Japanese culture, we have the concept of honne and tatemae — the private truth and the public face. I think both are real, just shown in different settings.
So yes, the public version is real — but it’s the version of me I choose to share.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had only 10 years left, I would stop worrying about the future and start fully enjoying the present.
I would stop overplanning, stop being anxious about “what’s next,” and instead focus on creating joy in each moment — whether it’s doing nails, sharing laughs with clients, or just having a great coffee in the morning.
I’ve learned that life doesn’t always go as planned, but beauty is always in the now.
I want to live more freely, more spontaneously, and with more gratitude for what I already have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hudsonsutudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hudson_studio_jp/
Image Credits
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