Keito Watanabe of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Keito Watanabe. Check out our conversation below.

Keito, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I love starting my day being active, so I go to the gym or pilates. When I move my body in the morning, I feel energized all day long!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Keito from Bagphic, which resells pre-loved luxury items like Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and more. I take care of marketing, from content creation to hosting weekly livestreams. I’m originally from Tokyo and moved to LA for college, and I’ve loved living in LA ever since! I love fashion and studied fashion marketing in college. I’m not good at drawing, which is why fashion marketing was perfect for me! I also have a real estate license, which became another passion I discovered while living in LA.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was born and raised in Japan, a place people from all over the world love to visit. Japan is an amazing travel destination and has recently become a popular spot for buying vintage designer items, but it is not always the easiest place to live. Growing up, I often felt like I didn’t fit into Japanese society because my skin tone was darker than others. In Japan, people are expected to blend in, and standing out isn’t encouraged. I never truly felt like I “fit in,” but when I came to the U.S., people appreciated my uniqueness. That experience made me proud of my differences..

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Now that I’m in the US, away from my home and family, I’ve sacrificed my comfortable life in Japan and came here on my own. But today, I feel more independent and loving the process. The life I have now is something I built from scratch, and I’m so proud of who I am today. All of this is because I chose discomfort over comfort.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“Fake it till you make it” suggests perfection, but people are more inspired by progress. Don’t fake who you are. I see many influencers presenting themselves in a certain way—it can work for branding, but it also gives them power to set unrealistic standards for younger audiences. Choose authenticity. Be the best version of yourself, and never stop striving to grow.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I host weekly livestreams on Whatnot and TikTok where I sell our pre-loved luxury bags. Since we’re a startup, we didn’t have customers in the beginning. Now, people recognize me as the face of the brand. We’re building not just a brand, but a community — a place where people feel a sense of belonging and a safe space they can return to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bagphic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bagphic_
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bagphic
  Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/bagphic