KOKORO – Our Story
The two founders of KOKORO came from very different family backgrounds, but shared one thing in common — growing up watching their parents work tirelessly, often through holidays, just to make ends meet. Time with family was rare, and even then, life always felt financially tight.
From a young age, they dreamed of one day achieving true freedom — not just financial independence, but also the freedom of time.
Back in those days, it was widely believed that a university degree was the key to a good job and a secure future. The two met around their university years, and after graduation, one went into retail while the other joined the IT industry.
Years passed. One founder had switched between several jobs, while the other stayed in the same company for a long time. But they both eventually came to the same realization — if they stayed on this path, they would never truly be free.
With limited capital, they decided to leave their jobs and start something of their own — and trade was the most accessible place to begin. They launched a business creating IP-themed products and corporate gifts, handling everything from design and procurement to quality control and logistics, all on their own.
After the SARS epidemic, Hong Kong tourism surged, and the demand for promotional products boomed. With years of hard work, they gained clients including chain electronics stores, banks, and international brands. But as the social and economic climate shifted, the industry started to fade.
They pivoted once more — this time into fashion. They launched a casualwear brand and, with no budget for advertising, began by consigning their products in department stores. Their designs and quality spoke for themselves. But then the retail downturn hit hard. Mall traffic declined, and Hong Kong consumers' strong preference for international brands made it even harder for a local fashion label to survive. Eventually, they had to close that chapter too.
Still undeterred, they asked themselves: "People will always go out. And when they do, they eat."
So they shifted their focus to food and beverage, investing most of their resources into building their own kitchen and opening stores. At their peak, they ran six outlets. Then the global pandemic struck. Three long years of isolation and lockdown measures devastated the F&B industry — but even more critically, it changed how people lived. Social gatherings became rare. And on holidays, people flocked to spend abroad instead.
Today, only one coffee shop remains — held on with grit and love.
After everything, they began to reflect once again on their original dream.
They watched fast fashion rise to dominate the market — clothing designed to last just one season, quickly bought and easily thrown away. It was wasteful, unsustainable, and slowly eroded people’s ability to cherish the things they owned.
That’s when they decided to create something different. Something heartfelt.
And so, KOKORO was born.
What is KOKORO?
“KOKORO” is the Romanized form of the Japanese word 「こころ」, meaning "heart".
But it goes beyond the literal. In Japanese culture, kokoro represents the fusion of emotion, thought, and will — the most sincere, pure, and honest part of a person’s inner self.
KOKORO is a brand built on that spirit.
Through thoughtful design, quality materials, and careful craftsmanship, they hope to offer an alternative to fast fashion — a brand that values longevity, soul, and intention.
This isn’t just a story about products.
It’s a story about never giving up. About staying true to your beliefs.
And about creating from the heart — with kokoro.
