With Our Powers Combined
Young, driven and full of infectious energy are some of the qualities that describe four local entrepreneurs: Keoki Ching, of Keoki surfboards, Rich Chou, part-owner of Guam-based clothing line Fokai and the creators of Bütigroove clothing, Moka Kondo and BJ Sabate.
 |
| THREE'S COMPANY (from left): Moka Kondo, Keoki Ching, Rich Chou and BJ Sabate gear up outside their store. photo: Karin Kovalsky |
These four friends each envisioned a store that would reflect the creativity and uniqueness of their respective products. When the space above Ching's shaping room in Kapahulu became available in February, he jumped at the opportunity to rent it. He knew it would be a great location to open a retail store and immediately partnered with his cousin Sabate and high school friends from Guam, Chou and Kondo.
Just one month later, in March, they opened MR3 (pronounced "mister three"), which stands for the three brands. The four entrepreneurs invested $4,500 to start MR3, the first retail store to feature Bütigroove, Fokai and Keoki surfboards under one roof.
"Finally, we have an opportunity to showcase it and present our brands the way we want to. It's coming from the actual source," says Chou.
Although MR3 is a collaboration that targets three different markets, that is part of its appeal, says Kondo, who is also the store's manager.
"Customers might not come here and buy something from all three brands, but at the very least they are introduced to the other two," says Kondo. "It's just a matter of telling people we are all at MR3."
Inspired by a passion for music, Kondo and Sabate describe Bütigroove as a line of musically driven clothing that is dedicated to creating comfortable and stylish merchandise. They rely on listening to the needs of their customers and try to stay with local fashions, says Kondo.
According to Fokai's Web site, the Chamorro word means, "to go for, to persevere, to overcome and to have a full hearted commitment with unstoppable resilience." The majority of its T-shirts reflect Fokai's commitment to mixed martial arts, with various graphics of the fighters they sponsor. As the popularity of mixed martial arts grows, so does Fokai, says Chou.
Ching shaped his first board 13 years ago, and specializes in making custom surfboards to fit any surfer's needs. For serious surfers it is not uncommon to own five to 10 boards, all of which serve different purposes, says Ching. Keoki surfboards range from $500 to $1200, and Ching spends anywhere from one to 12 hours shaping a board.
"It's gotta be perfect, because they are depending on that with their lives. I am responsible. Small differences make a big difference," says Ching.
One of the advantages of shopping at MR3 is that the customer can talk directly to the shaper or designers, says Kondo. On any given day, you will see these entrepreneurs behind the register or staffing the shop.
In 2005, Butigroove had about $100,000 in sales, and Keoki surfboards sold $110,000 in surfboards. Fokai almost tripled sales from 2004 to 2005, to $140,000. All four owners anticipate that MR3 will raise sales for 2006 and help spread the popularity of their designs.
Whether MR3 exceeds expectations, the experience alone is a success for al four owners. "You can't put a price tag on it. I'm not studying it -- I'm living it. Whether this experience is successful or not, the knowledge and information I get is priceless," says Chou.