We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Keung and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jason, how do you think about risk?
Risk is almost required in any industry let alone being an entrepreneur. Even though I’ve tried to play it safe by doing as much planning and research as possible to mitigate risk. I’ve had my share of failures, however I have learned a great deal from each one. After my career industry was hit by a recession in 2008, entrepreneurship became the end goal. Depending on someone else for working didn’t sit well with me anymore. I ended up jumping into a different industry for better opportunity and growth. Over the next few years I had developed and attempted multiple business models with some success. I will say that if it wasn’t for the support of my close friends, family, and mentors, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
For over a year, Harepin Creative operated from a single physical location until COVID shut everything down. We took a risk to move our entire store online with little knowledge on how to. There was a big learning curve when it came to e-commerce, website, online marketing, social media, and advertising. Thankfully there are an abundance of online resources that were available to help us. We learned that for e-commerce, building a social media following, and marketing your products as early as possible is beneficial.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Harepin Creative is family owned and operated and was created to bridge a middle ground for art supplies. We noticed over the years that for premium and quality art supplies, you would pay a premium, while for cheaper supplies the quality would suffer. At Harepin Creative we are able to provide quality art supplies with out the cost. We carry a wide range of brushes, mediums, canvas, tools, markers, pencils, and more. We offer insentives to first responders, teachers, students, and classes. As we expand we intend to focus a portion of profits to select 501c charities.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Good Day Cafe Fort Worth Modern Art Museum Oni Ramen Dallas Museum of Art Niwa BBQ Emporium Pies Torcy Tacos Forth Worth Zoo Pecan Lodge Dallas Aquarium Nori Handroll Bar Milk & Cream
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife and son were big motivators for me and I couldn’t have done it without them. A big thanks to my friend, and now partner of Harepin Creative, Shaun O’Keefe for working thru every idea I conjured up. My mentors, being entrepreneurs themselves, provided me countless references and information. Their experience and knowledge were an incredible resource that helped push me forward. Lastly, all the motivational, informative, videos, and literature by Gary Vaynerchuk and Simon Sinek.
Website: https://harepincreative.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harepin.creative/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harepincreative/?view_public_for=111119623948104