Today we’d like to introduce you to John Kang.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our location was originally used for martial arts and community acupuncture. During the pandemic, it wasn’t worth continuing the acupuncture because of the cost of air filtration equipment, so we had these extra rooms, including one with huge windows facing a major street.
At the same time, I had acquired a large collection of swords, much to the annoyance of my wife. I told her we could convert that front room into a sword store, and that we would sell 150 swords a year.
This number was a total fabrication, of course.
We opened in December 2021 as a pop-up sword shop inside my martial arts school. Miraculously, we were on track to sell 150 that first year. Even more miraculous was that we went viral on TikTok in October 2022, and we began selling 150 swords a month. Now, we have nearly half a million followers on social media.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a snowball rolling down hill, with each year doing better. Tariffs have increased our costs and economic uncertainty has reduced demand, but we keep trucking along.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Unlike many sword sellers who have become popular on social media, every one of our team members practices martial arts or sword arts, and is committed to learning more about metallurgy. We speak Mandarin and Japanese, which helps us connect with sources that might be difficult for others.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I grew up in Richmond, and the shop is just half a mile from my childhood home. RVA has transformed from the blighted former capital of the Confederacy to a vibrant city full of youth and arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rva-katana.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvakatana
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rvakatana
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_3CVcrrAJTzvZqZ5zGRGCw
