HELEN KIM
HELEN KIM enthusiastically joined the chamber last year and quickly worked her way into our hearts. Initially joining forces with our former creative director, David Etzen, Helen designed the new Member Packets and Member Cards that we’ll be rolling out soon. And now she’s helping us develop a fresh new look – meaning new website, Silver eNews and this here blog! Helen’s creativity, sheer talent and easy nature make her an absolute pleasure to collaborate with. We couldn’t feel more fortunate to have caught her eye.
1. How did you hatch the brilliant idea that is your business?
I had a small clothing line called NahNuh some years back and got lots of hands-on branding and marketing experience promoting and selling my wares. It was a gradual but natural transition to start doing that for others.
2. Who/what inspires you?
My clients HAVE to be my inspiration for what I do. They are the ones to decide where the overall branding and visual language of the company is headed so I have to understand their vision in order to help them steer in the right direction.
3. Name one thing that most people don’t know about you:
I don’t know how to ride a bike … I don’t understand how this happened, since my younger siblings both know how. I’m hoping to learn this year!
4. Which phrase do you most overuse?
“Kind of” followed by “really”, as in, “I kind of really have to do my taxes.”
5. How long have you lived/worked in Silver Lake?
I’ve lived in Silver Lake for a little over two years and my business has been in Silver Lake for that length of time as well, since I work from home. I grew up in LA, though, so I was either driven or have driven along the Reservoir pretty much all my life.
6. What’s your favorite part about being in business in the neighborhood?
As a designer, I feel like I get to ride on the coattails of the cool factor away from the plastic fantastic of the city. Even though this is LA, being east of Hollywood means the neighborhood is a nice breather from all the flash and is more about substance — even when it comes to visuals and other media stuff — while being more receptive to new ideas and influences. I hope that, as my business gets more established in the neighborhood, I can take part in being influential and making new ideas happen. That sounds very grandiose but why dream if you’re not going to dream big?
7. What’s changed most about Silver Lake since you first got here?
I’ve only lived here for two years but I zipped through the streets of Silver Lake all through my childhood. Looking out from the backseat of my mom’s Volvo then and looking out from the driver’s seat of my Honda now are different in that, today, there seems to be more of a civic pride in Silver Lake and all that it entails. The artistic, interesting and innovative elements that may have been here through the past are embraced more heartedly by the residents now and that is in turn creating an investment into the community. I have no idea if this is accurate because Silver Lake was merely a visceral backdrop to my childhood and young adulthood. I wasn’t as aware of what was going on here till now so I could be way off.
8. What’s the one thing about the Chamber you’d want a prospective member to know?
It gives you a true sense of community — so important especially if you’re a small enterprise!
9. What other member’s business have you experienced and would recommend?
Sarah and Jake of MAC+COB embraced me right away, from my first Chamber mixer. I’ve had the opportunity to work with MAC+COB since then on multiple projects and it challenged me to grow and be better, as well as give me the chance to collaborate with fresh talent and perspectives. I love collaboration! From my personal experience, this is what the Chamber is all about. And now, Sarah and I are working together along with Beth of Bneato on the new Welcome Package for the Chamber. I’m so happy to get to tag along with the cool kids.
10. Have you ever collaborated with a member of the Chamber who’s technically “the competition?” If so, how did it work out?
I had wanted to meet David of redbar (former SLCC creative director) for a long time before joining the Chamber. I’d seen the redbar logo on the Silver Lake Business Directory and some other things around town and he was so mysterious because I couldn’t figure out how to get a hold of him and say, “Your stuff is so cool!” When I found out he was a part of the Chamber, I introduced myself the first chance I got. He was very warm and welcoming, and you realize that there is room for mutual respect and cohabitation within the same industry as your peers!
11. What has been your biggest challenge as a business owner?
Understanding and respecting the value of my services while still providing empathetic and compassionate customer service.
12. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
To have failed big — heartbreakingly big — and still be standing on level ground. It feels so epic, and it is, but it’s also commonplace. The survival empowers you and humbles you at the same time.
13. If you could give one piece of advice to a business owner, what would it be?
Be kind to yourself.
THE THINK FARM
648 Imogen Ave Los Angeles CA, 90026
(323) 522 6505
meetme(at)thethinkfarm.com
Photograph by MAC+COB