Ines, our Director of Small Business Lending with small business customer, Kheedim Oh from Mama O’s Kimichi
You’ve never met someone quite like Kheedim Oh.
When NYC nightlife was hitting its peak in the 90’s, Kheedim was one of the city’s coolest DJs, spinning underground house music. For over two decades, he built a brand in the entertainment industry. But that’s where his resume begins. He’s also a social justice advocate, an avid traveler and as of 2008, the proud owner of Mama O’s Premium Kimchi.
“Kimchi paste is the secret to great kimchi,” he told us.
Growing up, Kheedim ritually watched his mom, “Mama O,” make the fermented vegetables, Korean-staple kimchi with large heads of Napa cabbage and fresh garlic. He knew there was a gap in the market for high-quality kimchi when he bought Korean ribs from a local butcher and couldn’t find local kimchi to compliment them. He wanted to change that and to help people in a healthy way, represent his Korean heritage and express his creativity beyond spinning music. The demand in the market and his creative vision were synergistic. Today Mama O’s sells to Blue Apron and has plans to open a production site in California.
“I’m not that good of a salsa dancer, but I do have good timing,” he laughed.
Maybe we are biased, but it’s by far the best kimchi we’ve ever tasted. And Kheedim, his passion, commitment and creative expression are a few reasons why we are proud to help finance Mama O’s with our Small Business Micro Line of Credit. We believe in Kheedim and we want his dreams for expansion to become a reality.
We also, well, we really love the kimchi, too.
Truly. We have the coolest Small Business Customers. Thanks, Kheedim, for being one of them.
Here’s to a very Happy New Year for All of Us!
-Ines & the Spring Bank Team
