Careers in Geek Fashion: Hero Within CEO Tony Kim
Photo credit: Hero Within
Since GeekFold’s creation, one of our goals has been to offer more of a deep dive into geek fashion in addition to helping you stay up to date on the latest news. We’ve done this through features on our website as well as panels at conventions. Over the years we’ve expanded our panels to focus on careers in geek fashion, exploring the job opportunities available in all areas. Now we’re excited to bring that career focus to a new Careers in Geek Fashion interview series that will continue to explore all the different ways you can work in the industry!
We’re thrilled to kick off the series with Hero Within CEO Tony Kim, who shared with us his career path and his advice for those who want to start their own geek fashion business.
What is your current position and what is a typical work day for you like?
I am owner and CEO of Hero Within. We are beginning our fourth year. Typical days start with getting some inspiration like a video or podcast. Currently, I am super into the How I Built This podcast. Like many, a big part of my day revolves around emails—lots of emails. I take time to connect with the team, reach out to buyers, and send info to vendors. I usually take a meeting or two out at a local coffee shop to get out of the house. I then take a break by late afternoon and nerd out over something like a show. Then I am back on with our overseas factory at 5pm since that’s when they open. Then dinner with the fam and catch up on social media.
Tony KIm
What interested you most in pursuing a career in this area?
For me this is the perfect Venn diagram of my creative, leadership, and nerd interests. I love creating things of value and exporting it to a community I love dear—the fandom community. I love seeing fans proud to represent who they are at school, work, and play.
How did your interest in geek fashion start and when did that interest and your career first intersect?
Like many entrepreneurs, it was birthed out of necessity. After many years of attending comic cons, I was frustrated with the lack of fashion options out there that reflected my passions. I was left to make a lot of items myself like jackets or shirts. A few years ago, I realized it was up to me to make something new and different and Hero Within was born. The final nudge was when I got laid off from my marketing job so I took it as a sign to make this my full time pursuit back in 2016.
Did you need to get any specific training, education, or experience for your job?
Fortunately, my education and experience is in marketing and design. So while I am not trained in fashion, design has always been a part of me. With the help of some experts, I got a crash course in fashion production and jumped into the deep end. I’m still learning every day (and making a lot of mistakes as I go!)
What skills would you say are essential to being successful as a CEO?
Courageous leadership is essential. You have to be able to take some risks. Some people will not like your work, in fact, some will hate it. Leaders push forward and find their tribe.
What different positions make up your team?
It takes all sorts to run a small company and we all wear a lot of hats. It takes designers, logistics, accounting, social media, and everything in between. Right now we have a dedicated small team that pulls everything off.
Hero Within is using a portion of proceeds from their Stand Together shirts to purchase face masks for hospitals! Learn more about how geek fashion companies are trying to help right now here.
What is your work-life balance like for your job? What do you enjoy the most and least about your area of the industry and your work?
Running a business takes everything you got. It’s 25 hours a day, eight days a week, and burning the candle on all three ends. Like many designers, the numbers and logistics is the least enjoyable part of my job. Fortunately, we have good people that take care of that.
Designing is the best part and unfortunately I don’t have enough time for that. The most rewarding is talking to fans at conventions. It really does give me new life when I chat with someone that loves Hero Within.
What professional groups, associations, or other resources would you recommend people turn to for help in networking or finding out more about this area?
Well GeekFold of course!
How has your field changed in the last few years that people should be aware of if they're entering it now? How do you think it might change in the next few years that people should consider if they want to enter the field in the future?
In just a few years the industry has changed a lot. What was ripe with opportunities is a little more scarce now. Some of my peers have closed up shop or are on the verge. Fast fashion has taken over the market which means larger corporations make lower priced and lower quality products for the masses. More companies have caught onto the idea of subtle fandom designs so there is more competition. Plus there are also a lot of unlicensed shops out there that are taking away from our business.
Photo credit: Hero Within
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in your career to get to where you are today? What challenges do you think people face now who want to pursue a career in geek fashion?
For almost any start up it’s all about cash flow. Managing resources and predicting the trends is always the most challenging part. In fact, we are in a global crisis right now with the coronavirus and it has completely disrupted the fashion and every other industry. So we have to adapt and execute quickly in order to survive.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to pursue a career in your area, what would it be?
Think twice. Before you invest your life savings, try to sell one item on an Etsy shop. Then build it from there quickly. Learn as you go and take risks. If it’s not fun for you then get out.
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