Today we’d like to introduce you to Keiko Kira.
Hi Keiko, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Starting Keiko Furoshiki has been an incredible journey filled with challenges and rewarding moments. My story began with a deep love for Japanese culture and a desire to promote sustainability. Growing up in a traditional Japanese household, I was always surrounded by the beauty and practicality of furoshiki, which are reusable wrapping cloths. However, it wasn’t until later in life that I realized these beautiful clothes’ potential to promote eco-friendly practices outside Japan.
Although I had this idea of sustainability and a passion for sharing Japanese culture, tradition, and art-making, it was my daughter-in-law Andrea who played a pivotal role in the birth of Keiko Furoshiki. She first approached my son Tyler and me with the idea of starting a business, envisioning a venture that would combine sustainability, art, and the introduction of Japanese traditions to a broader audience. Her enthusiasm and innovative thinking were the sparks that ignited our journey.
Together, we decided to launch Keiko Furoshiki in Kansas City, Missouri, just last year. We were driven by the vision of creating something that honors our heritage and contributes to reducing waste and promoting sustainability. The early days were filled with much learning and working hard to grow and improve. Educating people about what furoshiki are and how they can be used in various ways, from gift wrapping to everyday use, continues to be a significant part of our efforts. Despite these ongoing challenges, the support from our local community and the positive feedback from our customers keep us motivated and moving forward.
As a Japanese-American artist, I approach each print design with a modern take on traditional Japanese aesthetics. Our furoshiki are designed by me and feature bright, unexpected colors that make them bold, happy, and fun. This fusion of tradition and contemporary design has allowed us to create products that resonate with a broad audience and bring joy and elegance to everyday life.
Today, we are proud to offer beautifully designed furoshiki that blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern functionality. We’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with other businesses and create custom designs, which has been incredibly rewarding. As our journey continues to unfold, we are filled with excitement about the future and the possibilities it holds for Keiko Furoshiki.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to establish Keiko Furoshiki has been relatively smooth but still a challenge. One of the most significant challenges was starting this business with Tyler and Andrea shortly after I turned 60. Coming from a fine arts background and having taught art classes for nearly 30 years, I needed to gain business experience. While my passion for art and sustainability drove me forward, lacking a business background meant I had a steep learning curve ahead of me.
Learning the intricacies of running a business—from marketing and sales to financial management—was daunting. We had to educate ourselves on the best practices and often had to learn through trial and error. Balancing creativity with the practicalities of running a business was another hurdle. Ensuring that our furoshiki were beautiful, marketable, and financially viable required a shift in thinking that was initially quite challenging for me. Thankfully, Tyler and Andrea brought their expertise in marketing and manufacturing, which has been a tremendous asset. Their skills have complemented my artistic vision and helped us navigate the complexities of starting and running a business.
Another significant struggle has been the constant need to educate our potential customers about furoshiki. Many people in the US need to familiarize themselves with these traditional Japanese wrapping cloths and their myriad uses. We invest a lot of time demonstrating their versatility and environmental benefits, which can be slow. However, the positive feedback and growing interest keep us motivated.
Despite these challenges, the support from my family, friends, our customers, and the AAHNPI community, both locally and nationally, has been invaluable. We continue to learn and grow daily, and overcoming each obstacle makes us stronger and more resilient. The journey has taught me that it’s never too late to pursue a new passion and that even the steepest learning curves can be conquered with determination and support.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what unique aspects of your products and services set you apart from others?
At Keiko Furoshiki, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to reach out to people and heighten their awareness of sustainable practices through the beautiful art of furoshiki. By introducing this traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, we bring the rich cultural heritage of Japan to both those familiar and unfamiliar with its traditions. We believe in the power of education and strive to encourage people to connect with traditions that may differ from theirs.
All our furoshiki designs carry personal meaning and symbolism, inspired by my childhood memories growing up in Japan and Japanese culture and traditions. This approach makes our designs unique, offering our customers visually appealing patterns and a piece of our story and heritage. Each design blends traditional aesthetics and modern flair, often featuring bright, unexpected colors that make our furoshiki bold, happy, and fun. Beyond our reusable fabric wraps, we offer a variety of services to cater to diverse needs. We partner with businesses to create custom furoshiki designs for their branding and specific requirements. Additionally, we provide video tutorials on how to use furoshiki, making it easy for anyone to learn and adopt this eco-friendly practice. We also design custom fabric by the yard for a variety of uses, including bedding, window coverings, home decor, and wallpaper.
What sets Keiko Furoshiki apart is our deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and cultural education, coupled with the personal touch in each design. We are proud to share a piece of Japanese heritage with the world and to promote a more sustainable lifestyle through our unique, versatile, and beautifully crafted furoshiki. We want our readers to know that when they choose Keiko Furoshiki, they are not just purchasing a product but supporting a movement towards sustainability and cultural appreciation.
What are your plans for the future?
As a business, we have several groups focusing on the next 1-3 years at Keiko Furoshiki. We are excited about the opportunities to develop new revenue streams and strengthen our existing ones. One of our primary goals is to expand our distribution network while our outward marketing focuses on end consumers. We plan to grow our stockist list, become vendors for wholesale distributors, and further develop our brand partnerships.
Maintaining our sustainability vision is crucial to our long-term goals. Our content and marketing efforts will continue emphasizing the importance of reusable fabric and sustainable practices. We aim to educate our audience about furoshiki’s versatility and environmental benefits, encouraging a broader adoption of these eco-friendly alternatives.
We are also thrilled about the connections we have developed with our customers and our relationships with other business owners in our community. These connections support our growth and help us stay grounded in our mission to promote sustainability and cultural appreciation. As we look to the future, we are committed to fostering these relationships and continuing to make a positive impact through our work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://keikofuroshiki.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keikofuroshiki/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keikofuroshiki
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keikofuroshiki
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keikofuroshiki
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/keikofuroshiki/
Image Credits
Keiko Furoshiki Team
