20 Questions with Kathryn Kern :: Go to your Room
1. Why kids decor?
Kids room decor evolved out of a desire to choose a business that no one else had cornered the market on, and something that would make having a ‘job’ a fun thing to do. I absolutely love showing up to work every day.
2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
As as a kid, I always knew I would be doing something ‘very special’ when i grew up, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it would be. I couldn’t figure out how to connnect making money with what I loved to do -which was art or creating something from nothing. There wasn’t exactly a University course for that! So I grew into it.
3. What is your biggest pet peeve?
I don’t have a pet peeve, except when Im driving which has nothing to do with business.
4. What are some of your favorite things in life?
My favorite things in life at this moment are sunshine, color, my own kids, shoes from gravity pope.
5. What has been one of your finest moments in this business?
My finest moment in business is when the ‘Designer Guys’ filmed a show in my store.
6. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits or other defining characteristics?
I think how I dress would/will be my quirk. When I’m old I imagine people will look at me and see this eccentric old lady in bright/odd clothing, I tend to be a little on the artistic side there.
7. What is the most craziest or most adventurous thing you’ve ever experienced?
Renting a motor bike in Thailand w/out knowing how to drive one.
8. Do you have a family, and are they involved in your business?
I began as an artist with my mom in tow, we partnered for support, and since then we have ventured out on our own, going our own ways. My kids are teenagers and so aren’t interested in the store as such, but I have big plans for them!! Kidding. They are my sourse of information however, for stages of a kids life, trends and ideas, I rely on their advise/expertise in that area for sure. You have to have an ear to the market, and they are it.
9. How largely are your products local/organic/fair trade?
For my business I have as much built and sewn locally as I can , and I do as much as possible in the re-claimed or pre-loved catagory. I figure the land fills can only handle so much, so even things that were a particular item in their past life, can be something completely different in this one, like cabinet doors made into growth charts.
10. What made you choose to open a business independently instead of as part of a chain/corporation?
I couldn’t possibly work for someone else, or do something in a set way. Im too headstrong and creative for that…I love and thrive on change and growth, it fuels my energy.
11. Where does your business’s name come from?
My son Sam came up with the name when we were brain storming one day. He said something like “Why don’t you just say ‘Go To Your Room’” and it would be a good thing!
12. Have you ever lived in another country? If so, where/why?
I have always lived in Edmonton, grew up in Leduc.
13. What do you do in your free time?
Red wine and a good book….I don’t seem to have alot of ‘free’ time, its mostly spent creating -but I look forward to spending time with my kids, it feels good no matter what we are doing.
14. What do you think you’ll be doing five years from now?
I plan on having my own building for my business, with the addition of the ‘teen line’ which I already have a name for.
15. When do you feel your best? In the morning, afternoon, evening?
Morning mostly, when I wake up before my alarm goes off, and get up to face the day. I look forward to that. Evenings are hit and miss, I enjoy them but can’t seem to stay up very late.
16. What are some jobs you did before you opened this business?
I was in charge of operations for a clothing store. The owners were in Italy, and so I ran the business as if it were my own, and I enjoyed it very much. Didn’t know a lot as I look back on it, but worked hard and loved the experience of it.
17. Out of those jobs, what was the absolute worst one?
A restaurant job (two actually) in which I got fired. Horrible experience!!
18. What do you have in your pockets?
Vitamins
19. What makes you laugh?
Slapstick comedy.
20. Do you like being interviewed?
I don’t think I have ever been interviewed. Always thought I would be though, and now I know that I would prefer it to be in writing so that I can change my answers a whole bunch of times to sound just right in the end. A live interview would be tough!!
