“We thought remote work would bring us more freedom.”
But in reality, casual conversations dwindled, and quick consultations became harder. It’s a common challenge for many remote teams.
We spoke with Mr. Kimoto, CEO of OriginTree Inc., an e-commerce company that sells its original lifestyle products on platforms like Rakuten and Amazon. From manufacturing in China to selling in Japan, the company handles everything end-to-end—and has long been exploring flexible work styles.
However, they soon faced an invisible barrier: weakened communication. That’s when they decided to introduce the virtual office tool VoicePing.
“Just being able to casually say, ‘Got a sec?’ completely changed the team dynamic,” says Kimoto.
In this interview, we dive into OriginTree’s real experience with VoicePing—and uncover key insights for managing remote teams more effectively.
Breaking Down Communication Barriers in a Fully Online Business
This interview was conducted in VoicePing’s virtual meeting room.
We began by asking Mr. Kimoto, CEO of OriginTree Inc., to tell us about his role and the company’s operations.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and your responsibilities at OriginTree?
My name is Kimoto, and I’m the CEO of OriginTree Inc. We operate primarily as an e-commerce business, selling our original brand of lifestyle products through major online marketplaces like Rakuten and Amazon. My role involves overseeing the company as a whole. Rather than getting deeply involved in day-to-day operations, I focus on managing the bigger picture and addressing challenges raised by various departments.
Can you tell us more about your business model?
We outsource manufacturing to partner factories in China, then import the finished products into Japan where we sell them under our own brand, mainly through Amazon and Rakuten. You could say we’re something like a modern-day variety store—we offer a wide range of everyday items that people can easily pick up, from bath accessories to leisure products and more.
Before implementing VoicePing, what challenges were you facing?
Since we started out as a fully online company, one of our biggest challenges was a lack of casual communication within the team. We did use tools like Zoom and Google Meet, but those tend to require a bit of effort—you have to create a meeting link, share it, and wait for everyone to join. Even for a quick check-in or small talk, it felt like we were over-preparing.
That’s where VoicePing made a real difference. It lets you say things like “Got a sec?” just like you would in a physical office. That small shift significantly lowered the communication barrier.
So instead of going through a whole process—checking availability in chat, creating a meeting link, sharing it, and waiting for everyone—you wanted to simplify things?
Exactly. That was the pain point we were trying to solve.
Why OriginTree Chose VoicePing: Easy to Use, Cost-Effective, and Perfect for Everyday Communication
Among many virtual office tools out there, what made you choose VoicePing?
Honestly, my first impression was, “This seems easy to use.” The interface is intuitive, and the overall design is colorful and friendly. Many virtual office tools can feel a bit too formal, but VoicePing has this relaxed vibe that lowers the barrier to getting started.
But the biggest factor was definitely the cost. We started with a small team, and VoicePing’s pricing made it easy to adopt without overcommitting financially.
How do you actually use VoicePing in your daily operations?
We primarily use it for internal communication. It’s not something we use just in specific cases—we’re logged into VoicePing throughout the workday. It allows us to casually start conversations, share screens, and collaborate in real time. It’s become an essential part of how we stay connected as a team.
It’s also been a big help when working with contractors. Not being able to see their progress can cause uncertainty, but with VoicePing’s “What are you working on now?” status display, it’s easy to get a quick snapshot of who’s doing what. That visibility builds trust.
Another feature we love is the screenshot function. When you’re working remotely, it can be hard to tell exactly what someone is doing. But with screenshots, we can quickly see which task they’re focused on—which has made it easier to manage even as our team grows.
So rather than relying heavily on features like real-time translation or meeting transcripts, we mainly use VoicePing to make everyday communication smoother and more natural.
What’s your overall impression of VoicePing?
If I had to sum it up in one phrase, it’s “a tool that makes communication effortless.” Features like screen sharing work just as smoothly as Zoom or other tools. That might sound simple, but I think that very simplicity is what gives VoicePing its real value.
Are there any features you’d like to see added or improved?
To be honest, we don’t have any major complaints. We haven’t received many requests for additional features from the team either—the current version meets our needs very well.
That said, if I had to suggest one improvement, it would be better noise cancellation. Even with earbuds, it sometimes picks up background noise. Since we often work in places like shared offices or cafés, enhanced noise reduction would help ensure clear conversations no matter where we are.
If you had to describe VoicePing in just one word or phrase, what would it be?
Super convenient! (laughs)
Why Keep a Virtual Office, Even as Office Work Returns?
As remote work continues to decline, why are so many companies still choosing to maintain virtual offices?
We asked Mr. Kimoto to share his perspective.
Now that the pandemic has eased and more people are returning to the office, what do you see as the continued benefits of using a virtual office?
I see three main advantages.
First, employees no longer need to commute. It sounds simple, but saving even an hour a day can significantly reduce stress and give people more personal time. That, in turn, improves both well-being and productivity.
Second, it helps companies cut costs. Reducing expenses for commuter subsidies and office maintenance is a clear benefit for any business.
And third—which I personally think is the most important—it allows companies to hire talent without being limited by geography. Whether someone lives in Hokkaido, Okinawa, or even overseas, you can tap into specialized skills without worrying about physical distance. This opens up access to top talent and makes recruitment much more flexible.
What’s next for OriginTree Inc.?
While we prefer not to disclose specific numbers, our goal is to build on our current sales track record and continue expanding our business. We already have a few products that have hit number one in their category rankings on Amazon and Rakuten, and we’re working hard to increase that number.
In the future, we hope to create everyday items that feel natural and familiar—products that people use without even thinking, and maybe even spark conversations like, “Oh, we use that at home too!”
We currently offer things like bath mats and other household goods, but we’re not limiting ourselves to one genre. Our goal is to keep producing convenient, widely recognized products that fit seamlessly into daily life.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Since adopting VoicePing, we’ve seen a real boost in day-to-day productivity. It’s made a tangible difference—and we’re truly grateful for that.
▶ Company Profile: OriginTree Inc.
Website: https://origintree.net/
Established: October 2021
Business: E-commerce sales of original lifestyle products
Headquarters: Makuhari Techno Garden CB Building, 1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba, Japan
Summary: The Value of Seamless Connection Enabled by VoicePing
Through our conversation with OriginTree Inc., it became clear how crucial real-time, casual communication is for teams working primarily online. Seeking a more connected and transparent work environment, they turned to VoicePing.
Since implementation, the company has seen noticeable improvements—from creating a team culture where people feel comfortable speaking up, to boosting overall operational efficiency. VoicePing also plays a key role in managing remote contractors by making daily workflows more visible and reducing uncertainty across the team.
More than just saving on commute time or communication costs, OriginTree’s story shows how virtual offices can serve as vital infrastructure—connecting top talent from across the country, and even the world.
Try It for Yourself: Reconnect Your Team with VoicePing
VoicePing brings back the feeling of being “just a tap on the shoulder away”—even when working remotely.
Are you facing any of these challenges?
☑️ Tired of launching meeting tools just to ask a quick question
☑️ Struggling to see what your team is working on in real time
☑️ Missing the sense of connection with remote teammates
If any of these sound familiar, give VoicePing a try and experience the difference.
