In a heartwarming conversation with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Chaewon Kim, the Toronto-based Korean artist and founder of Our Haru, shares the story behind her unique pet store. Inspired by her beloved Bichon Frise, Haru, Chaewon curates a collection of modern, high-quality pet products from small South Korean designers that blend functionality and aesthetics.
Chaewon discusses her entrepreneurial journey, from curating unique products to building a thriving TikTok community that resonates with pet lovers across Canada. She highlights her experience participating in the TikTok SmallBiz Pop-Up, which helped elevate her brand’s presence, and shares her vision of creating a flagship store that will serve as a hub for community events and advocacy.
As she looks ahead, Chaewon is focused on growing Our Haru into North America’s leading Korean-inspired pet brand, offering more than just products—building a community and celebrating the bond between pets and their humans.
Chaewon Kim is a Toronto-based Korean artist and the founder of a unique pet store inspired by her muse, Haru. She curates aesthetic, modern and high-quality products from independent designers and small brands in South Korea, offering carefully selected items for both pets and their owners. On TikTok, Chaewon has gained widespread recognition in creative ways, showcasing her curated selections and building an engaging community around her passion for pets and design.
Inspiration Behind Our Haru: What led you to create Our Haru, and how does your Bichon Frise, Haru, inspire the brand’s mission and aesthetic?
The inspiration behind Our Haru lies in my beloved Haru, who has been my constant companion and muse. Haru’s calm personality, charm, and ability to bring joy to everyone she meets inspired me to create a space where pet owners could find thoughtfully designed, high-quality products that enhance their bond with their furry babies.
As a visual artist and a first-time pet parent, I wanted products that weren’t just functional and aesthetically designed to reflect Haru’s charming personality and our shared lifestyle. However, I struggled to find such options locally. This sparked the idea of curating premium, aesthetic pet products from small businesses in South Korea—home to a vibrant pet culture and innovative designs.
When I started Our Haru in 2021, I aimed to create a collection that blends functionality with modern aesthetics—items that bring joy and style into furry babies’ and owners’ lives. Haru inspires not only the name but also the heart of the brand. Her influence is evident in the attention to detail, the vibrant yet minimalistic designs, and the focus on fostering a happy, fulfilling lifestyle for pets and humans.
Through Our Haru, I hope to share a bit of Haru’s magic with pet lovers everywhere, celebrating our special connection with our furry companions.
Curating Unique Products: Our Haru focuses on high-quality, aesthetically pleasing pet products from South Korean designers. How do you select and curate items, and what makes these products stand out for Canadian pet owners?
At Our Haru, I focus on offering high-quality, aesthetically pleasing pet products from South Korean designers, and I take great care in curating each item for Canadian pet owners. Although I am based in Canada and unable to handpick products directly in Korea, I spend a considerable amount of time researching new Korean pet brands via social media platforms and other channels. This allows me to stay up to date with the latest trends and innovative designs coming out of Korea’s vibrant pet culture.
Once I find a brand or product that resonates with the values of Our Haru, I carefully communicate with the designers or founders to ensure their products align with Canadian standards and can thrive in Canada’s unique environment. I make sure to ask important questions about durability, safety, and functionality to ensure that these products will meet the needs of Canadian pet owners. Their creativity and product development process are always on another level, which is why I’m passionate about bringing these items to our customers.
What sets these products apart for Canadian pet owners is not only the design but also the attention to detail and the high level of craftsmanship. These items are carefully crafted to blend functionality with modern aesthetics, which speaks to the needs and desires of pet owners who are looking for something beyond the ordinary. At Our Haru, we’re proud to offer products that elevate the pet care experience and bring joy to both pets and their owners.
Building a TikTok Community: TikTok has played a big role in your journey. Could you share how you built a community on the platform and the impact it has had on expanding Our Haru’s presence across Canada?
TikTok has been a game-changer for Our Haru, enabling us to connect with a diverse audience of pet lovers across Canada and beyond. When I first started posting, I focused on sharing authentic, lighthearted, and visually appealing content that reflected the essence of our brand and the joy pets bring to our lives. Over time, I’ve found that videos that showcase Haru’s lovely personality, behind-the-scenes moments, and relatable pet-owner experiences resonate the most with our audience.
Our latest TikTok post, featuring “POV you got a 2-star review because you had a store dog in the store,” went viral, capturing the hearts of more than a million viewers and driving incredible traffic to our page. Moments like this remind me of how powerful TikTok is in creating genuine connections with people who share our passion for pets.
The platform has significantly boosted Our Haru’s visibility, increasing website traffic, sales, and opportunities like participating in the TikTok SmallBiz Pop-Up. TikTok isn’t just a tool for marketing; it’s a space where we can share the joy, humor, and love that pets bring into our lives, all while growing a community that feels like family.
Highlighting the TikTok SmallBiz Pop-Up Experience: You’re part of the TikTok SmallBiz Pop-Up this year. What has that experience been like, and how has it helped in reaching new audiences?
Participating in the TikTok SmallBiz Pop-Up has been an incredible opportunity for Our Haru. It’s not just about showcasing our products but about immersing ourselves in a dynamic environment that celebrates creativity and small businesses.
The pop-up gave us a chance to tell our story more personally—sharing the inspiration behind Our Haru, my muse Haru, plays in shaping our brand, and the care that goes into curating each product. It’s been wonderful to watch people light up when they discover our products’ unique designs and craftsmanship, especially those who resonate with our mission of blending aesthetics and functionality for pets.
The exposure from this event has significantly expanded our audience. TikTok’s support and promotion of the SmallBiz Pop-Up brought in a diverse range of visitors who might have yet to encounter our brand. This visibility has helped us reach pet lovers who value quality and design, many of whom have become loyal customers and advocates for Our Haru.
Additionally, the collaborative aspect of the event has been invaluable. Being part of a community of small businesses has allowed us to network, exchange ideas, and learn from other entrepreneurs. It’s reinforced the importance of community in business growth and inspired me to continue fostering meaningful connections with customers and fellow creators.
Overall, the TikTok SmallBiz Pop-Up has been a game-changing experience for Our Haru. It’s helped us deepen our connection with our audience, expand our reach, and establish our presence as a unique, Korean-inspired pet brand in Canada.
Future Aspirations for Our Haru: Looking ahead, what are your goals for Our Haru? Are there any new product ideas or milestones you’re particularly excited about?
Looking ahead, my ultimate vision for Our Haru is to establish it as North America’s biggest and most iconic Korean pet store. What started as a small idea rooted in my love for my Bichon Frise, Haru, has grown into something much bigger—a brand that I believe has immense potential to transform how pet owners approach care, style, and bonding with their pets. While I can’t reveal everything just yet, I see endless opportunities for growth in this business.
A key milestone I’m working toward soon is opening a flagship store. This will be more than just a retail space; it will serve as a hub for events, fostering deeper connections with our customers and their pets. I envision hosting workshops, meet-and-greets, and community events that unite pet lovers in a shared celebration of their love for their pets. The flagship store will also allow us to spotlight important causes, such as our ongoing support for the Free Korean Dogs rescue organization. This partnership is significant to me, as it aligns with Our Haru’s mission to celebrate and nurture the bond between pets and their humans while advocating for dogs that need it most.
By supporting rescue organizations like Free Korean Dogs and providing a platform for meaningful connections, Our Haru aspires to be more than just a store—a community, a mission, and a celebration of the unconditional love pets bring into our lives.
As I look to the future, I’m excited and deeply motivated by the journey ahead. Our Haru has so much room to grow, and I can’t wait to see how this seed flourishes into something extraordinary.
The post From Inspiration to Community: Chaewon Kim’s Journey with Our Haru first appeared on CanadianSME Small Business Magazine.