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Peri Drysdale Shares Untouched World’s Japan Market Entry Story
Sales in Japan Episode 76 • 18th May 2026 • Jandals in Japan® • Jayne Nakata & Catherine O'Connell
00:00:00 01:01:26

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Peri Drysdale is Founder of the internationally renowned sustainable fashion brand Untouched World. From growing up on a sheep farm in the Rakaia Gorge to becoming a registered nurse, and then launching a global wool business with just $200 in the bank, Peri's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how she broke into Japan's notoriously difficult department store market, the power of persistence, and why being a foreign woman in Japanese business turned from a double negative into a surprising advantage.

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In this episode you’ll hear:

  • How Peri started a global wool business with $200 in the bank
  • The jaw-dropping story of how Peri got her products into prestigious Japanese retailers
  • The "two minuses make a plus" philosophy
  • Peri’s Essential lessons for doing business in Japan

About Peri

Peri was born in Christchurch with a first career as a nurse before starting a small home-based knitwear business while raising her young family.

Over the decades, that cottage industry evolved into the internationally recognised brand Untouched World, known for its innovative natural fibres and commitment to environmentally responsible fashion.

The company exports globally including Japan and has earned international recognition for its leadership in sustainability.

Alongside building her business, Peri founded the Untouched World Foundation,and her contributions to business, exports, and sustainability have been widely recognised, including induction into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and numerous national awards.

Links

Untouched World: https://www.untouchedworld.com/en-int

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

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