Meet Kari Kha of Kha Kids in San Gabriel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Kha.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kari. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always wanted to start my own business. I even went to business school after undergrad to get a more well-rounded understanding of “business.” I finally mustered up the courage to do something about it while I was on maternity leave with my youngest daughter in late 2016. Being wide awake after the constant middle of the night feedings gave me some fun ideas about what I could put on shirts, buttons, magnets, etc. I have a sarcastic sense of humor (and am a sucker for a good pun) but adding sleep deprivation to the mix made my ideas even better!

Fast forward a few months (and with lots of help from friends and family) I launched my online shop selling shirts for kids and adults in November 2016. I came up with the shop name of KHAntemporary KIDS (KHA KIDS for short) named after my girls Melanie and Kelsie Kha. Majority of my designs involve Asian food puns and/or hip hop, two things I love!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest hurdle I’ve had to overcome has been time management. Juggling my full time job at a consulting firm and making sure I spend enough time with my family on top of managing this business has been rough at times. I also struggle with social media. I’m a pretty private person but starting your own business requires you to put your brand, your products and yourself out for the public to consume.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
KHA KIDS specializes in witty shirt designs relating to Asian foods and other punny things I love. Even though my shop name has “kids” in it my designs are made for kids and adults (or what I like to call kids at heart). My most popular designs are my “Livin’ La Vida Boba” and “Rice, Rice Baby” shirts.

Seeing people enjoy my designs keeps me going! It makes me so happy when someone I’ve never met posts a picture of themselves in one of my shirts. It has been so great to connect with new friends, fellow small business owners as well as old friends by starting this small shop!

One thing I’m excited and proud about in 2018 is my partnership with an amazing organization called WE LIFT LA (www.weliftla.org). WE LIFT LA’s mission is to help former foster youth achieve independence through a variety of programs that they offer. $2 from each shirt sold online in 2018 will be going directly to WE LIFT LA!

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a very boring kid (I might still be boring actually). I always followed the rules. My husband to this day still calls me a “straight shooter”. I’ve always had a witty side to me that wanted to jump outside of the box but it never came out until well into my adulthood!

My interests are all over the place. I’m a big Disney fan, love the LA Kings and am obsessed with all types of music (especially 80’s and old school hip hop). Some of my guilty pleasures include snazzy fanny packs, Soul Cycle and watching Dancing with the Stars (while drinking Trader Joe’s canned wine).

Pricing:

• Infant onesies, shirts and raglan tees range from $20-$30
• Magnets sell for $5 each
• Use discount code: VOYAGELA for 25% off your entire purchase in 2018!
• $2 from every online shirt purchase in 2018 will be donated to WE LIFT LA and their mission to help former foster youth achieve independence.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.KHAKIDS.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kha_kids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHOPKHAKIDS/

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.