Serial founder, business strategist & brand architect with 25 years experience building creative brands from scratch and driving engagement to physical locations and live experiences for cultural and creative projects. As the founder of multiple creative-led brands, my experience includes: - launching over 10 brands (4 of which were 7 figure brands) - Opening over 100 retail stores and popup activations - Hosting and curating over 100 creative events - Exhibiting internationally at 30+ trade shows - Managing teams of up to 100 people and leadership teams of 20+ - Multi site, multi state and international business - Running all marketing and creative activities across all brands and platforms - Partnering with international design brands as their Australian exclusive distributor - Running several major public activations including multi-event festivals, international brand launches, and various artist-led programs. for more: _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_…

Johann Kim

Serial founder, business strategist & brand architect with 25 years experience building creative brands from scratch and driving engagement to physical locations and live experiences for cultural and creative projects. As the founder of multiple creative-led brands, my experience includes: - launching over 10 brands (4 of which were 7 figure brands) - Opening over 100 retail stores and popup activations - Hosting and curating over 100 creative events - Exhibiting internationally at 30+ trade shows - Managing teams of up to 100 people and leadership teams of 20+ - Multi site, multi state and international business - Running all marketing and creative activities across all brands and platforms - Partnering with international design brands as their Australian exclusive distributor - Running several major public activations including multi-event festivals, international brand launches, and various artist-led programs. for more: _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_…

Available to hire

Serial founder, business strategist & brand architect with 25 years experience building creative brands from scratch and driving engagement to physical locations and live experiences for cultural and creative projects.

As the founder of multiple creative-led brands, my experience includes:

  • launching over 10 brands (4 of which were 7 figure brands)
  • Opening over 100 retail stores and popup activations
  • Hosting and curating over 100 creative events
  • Exhibiting internationally at 30+ trade shows
  • Managing teams of up to 100 people and leadership teams of 20+
  • Multi site, multi state and international business
  • Running all marketing and creative activities across all brands and platforms
  • Partnering with international design brands as their Australian exclusive distributor
  • Running several major public activations including multi-event festivals, international brand launches, and various artist-led programs.

for more: Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup

See more

Language

English
Fluent
Korean
Advanced

Work Experience

Director at Flock Festival
August 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024
Director of Flock Festival (Perth, 2022). Created the concept and delivered a multi-event creative festival featuring 40+ artist-led events across 30 days; oversaw programming of over 150 Perth-based creatives; led branding, marketing, and partnerships; coordinated art, music, and performance elements.
Head of Brand & Live Launch at The Impossible Project (now Polaroid Originals)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Live launch event featuring four prominent local creatives; managed brand narrative, partnerships, promotions, and on-site delivery to support the launch of Polaroid Originals in Australia.
Brand Manager / Event Director at The Impossible Project (Polaroid Originals)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Australian launch partner for international photography brand The Impossible Project; delivered a live launch in Sydney (2015) featuring four prominent local creatives. Managed brand narrative, partnerships, on-site delivery, and artist engagement.
Founder at Cabin Fever Cafe
February 5, 2009 - January 1, 2012
Created a small cafe, gallery and gift shop in Perth CBD. The gallery featured local artists with rotating exhibitions and the cafe was featured in the Wallpaper City Guide to Perth as well as being runner up in Perth's Best Coffee award in 2010. My role was in concept, community, shop design, marketing and menu design and general business admin.
Founder, Managing Director at Pigeonhole Wholesale
June 1, 2007 - December 31, 2017
Ran a wholesale and distribution business selling to over 600 stores across Australia and internationally. The range comprised of our own jewellery and accessories produced in Seoul alongside select international design brands that we imported as exclusive distributor in Australia and New Zealand. Exhibited at international tradeshows including Life Instyle (Sydney, Melbourne), Reed Gift Fair (Sydney), GHA (Melbourne), Maison Objet (Paris), Top Drawer (London), New York Now (NYC), Magic (Las Vegas), Showup (NL). Our distribution brands including Robert Brandt (NL), The Impossible Project (NL), Imm Living (Canada), Night Owl Paper Goods (USA), Liveworks (Korea). Some of our more notable customers included MOMA San Francisco, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery of WA.
Founder, Buyer at The Fox Hunt
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013
Created a men's casual and streetwear fashion store in Perth featuring brands such as Stussy, Fred Perry, Velour Sweden and YMC London. Oversaw the buying, branding and the general business management.

Education

Bachelor of Laws at University of Western Australia
February 1, 2000 - June 30, 2026
Bachelor of Commerce at University of Western Australia
February 1, 2000 - December 31, 2022
Marketing Major
Associate Diploma of Music - Piano perfomancd at AMEB - Australian Music Education Board
June 5, 2020 - June 5, 2020

Qualifications

Cert 4 Business
February 5, 2007 - June 5, 2007
Lifetime Achievement Award
March 5, 2005 - March 5, 2005
Life InStyle (Reed Gift Fairs)
Global Innovation Award - Best Retailer in Australia
February 5, 2005 - February 5, 2005
Presented in Chicago by the Chicago Gift Fair
30 Under 30
February 5, 2009 - February 5, 2026
City of Belmont - Young Entrepreneur of the Year
July 1, 2009 - July 1, 2009

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Professional Services, Education, Manufacturing, Wholesale & Distribution, Non-Profit Organization, Consumer Goods
    paper PIGEONHOLE
    Australia's most beloved gift/homewares retailer with locations in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane. Hosting events, parties and international brand collaborations. With over 100 locations opened over the course of 18 years and all areas of business growth, brand launch, product development, design, and marketing all wrapped into one multi faceted brand with a host of sub brands created under the Pigeonhole umbrella. For more info please download brand bio attached.…
    uniE608 Flock Festival
    Director of Flock Festival (Perth, 2022). Created the concept and delivered a multi-event creative festival featuring 40+ artist-led events across 30 days; oversaw programming of over 150 Perth-based creatives; led branding, marketing, and partnerships; coordinated art, music, and performance elements. Events included Fashion trunkshow Sunstainable fashion panel Artists talks Gallery featuring 20 painters and photographers Workshops in: life drawing, painting, kokedama, cooking, dance Spoken word, comedy, poetry and rap events Multi genre music performances: Blues, Rock, Classical, Opera, funk, disco, pop, experimental…
    paper Coo Coo Accessories
    Jewellery and accessories brand created in 2024 with national reach across 4 different cities in Australia. Brand creation & strategy Designed brand assets, logos, signage & packaging. Curated 2000+ product range and seasonal ranges Ran overseas production in Seoul with 20 suppliers General retail operations & HR for team of 25 Scaled to 7 figures within 12 months Sold the brand in 2025…
    paper Her Strength
    Early stage brand strategist for tech startup for young female athletes in professional level sport. My role was to help guide the brand direction, select a graphic designer and then create the first brand profile and concept document for strategic partnerships on canva.…
    paper Blank Canvas Event

    Styled the Blank Canvas Creative event twice which is an annual event featuring photography, performance and food. I styled a 4m long grazing table on both occasions as well as running the catering for the event and setting up a lush photography backdrop set with vintage furniture and indoor jungle of living plants.

    paper Impossible Project i-1 camera launch

    As the exclusive distributor for the Impossible Project (now Polaroid Originals), Pigeonhole was tasked with launching the i-1 camera - the world’s very first new camera to be used with Polaroid style film. We launched the camera with an event in Sydney where 4 well known Sydney creatives across the creative arts were given the new camera and their prints were mounted and exhibited in celebration of the new camera being launched across the world at the same time. We curated the event, hosted the party, coordinated the creatives and the prints and PR and marketing of the event.