The Motherhouse Story Part2:The Birth of the Company

Bringing the Heart of Bangladesh to Japan
March 9, 2006—“Thank You Day”

With the desire to deliver the heartfelt bags made by the people of Bangladesh to customers in Japan, Yamaguchi officially registered the company, and “Motherhouse Co., Ltd.” was born.

With no experience or knowledge in selling bags, Yamaguchi had to figure everything out from scratch.
She launched a simple website, introduced the products to friends, and began cold calling stores and buyers.

During her first sales visit to a major department store, a buyer commented, “This is interesting.”
Gradually, the bags started to find homes with new people in new places.

Although there were many sleepless nights surrounded by unsold bags, before she realized it, all 160 bags were sold out in just two months.

Developing New Products – Back to Bangladesh
In May 2006, with all customer feedback translated into Bengali and sample tags from retailers in hand, she returned to Bangladesh.
Her heart pounded as she revisited the factory.

Slowly, familiar faces began to emerge.
Surprised and overjoyed, they rushed toward her, shouting,
“Madam is back! We never thought you’d actually return!”

Yamaguchi shared the good news: the bags had sold out, retailers were interested, and many customers were happy.
“You did it, Madam!” they cheered in celebration.

The very next day, they began developing new products.
Determined to make even better bags with higher quality, more attention to detail, and even more joy for customers, they produced 650 bags this time.

It took courage, patience, and endless trial and error.
Through the process of selling the new bags, Yamaguchi learned a lot, especially how little she knew about making bags.
She went on to apprentice under a Japanese bag craftsman to improve her skills.
In October 2006, the first customer event was held.

It was through the energy and support of many people that Yamaguchi realized:
“Motherhouse is truly supported by people, people, and people.”

A Turning Point for Motherhouse
In November 2006, she flew back to Bangladesh once again to produce the 2007 Spring Collection.

Amid the usual factory troubles, a major incident occurred—Yamaguchi’s passport went missing.
Though she didn’t want to suspect anyone, the trust she had built crumbled.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she experienced firsthand just how difficult it is to do business in a developing country.

But she wouldn’t give up.
Determined to start over, she began the search for a new production partner.
Through a trusted local contact, she was introduced to a tiny factory where fewer than ten people worked.

Unlike large-scale factories with thousands of workers, this one allowed for real communication and connection.
Yamaguchi believed that here, they could build something together—like a family.

Amid Political Turmoil, Another Setback
January 21, 2007—the date set for Bangladesh’s national election, held once every five years.
As tensions between parties escalated, protests broke out across the country.
Dhaka, the capital where the factory was located, was blockaded.
The protests became violent—on some days, dozens or even hundreds of lives were lost.

Then, a tragedy struck right outside the factory—six people died.
With roads blocked, she couldn’t reach the site.
Even with mounting anxiety about the samples, they continued work via phone from her hotel.

A week later, the blockade lifted. She rushed to the factory—
Only to find a broken-down building.
No materials, no design sketches, and not a single worker remained.

She called the factory partner over and over again—
Sobbing as she dialed, but the phone never connected.

“I’ve been betrayed again...”

Alone in a rickshaw, heading back to the guesthouse, she wondered:

“Why am I risking my life in a country like this just to make bags? This is ridiculous.”

All that remained was the deep wound of betrayal.

Protests raged on in the streets.
Eventually, a state of emergency was declared in Bangladesh.

Lives were being lost in the name of power and politics.
Foreign buyers fled the country one after another.

“What was the point of everything I’ve done up until now?”

But she knew the answer—
She wanted to prove that even in a place with no hope, light can still shine.

“If I run away now, everything I’ve done will have meant nothing.”