You’ve Come a Long Way Baby

Whether he wants to admit it or not, Tom Kim is Hawaii’s baby guru.

Whether he wants to admit it or not, Tom Kim is Hawaii's baby guru.

With a loyal following and dedicated professional staff, his Baby Emporium caters to new and expectant parents, while Kids Emporium (located upstairs), specializes in providing toddlers' and kids' beds, desks and modular bedroom furniture that grows with your keiki.

Before switching to the baby world, Kim was an automotive expert, go-cart-racing owner and high-performance auto-parts authority.

A bad experience shopping for baby products inspired him to follow a new path. In February 2004, he leaped into the world of babies. Next month, Kim celebrates seven years in the newborn business.

“When I started the business, my wife and I didn't have kids so there was no experience or first-hand product knowledge to draw from,” says Kim. “I learned the hard way, by spending countless hours doing market research and finding out what parents wanted.”

Today, Kim and his wife, Stephanie, are proud parents of two beautiful girls—5-year-old Phoebe and 3-year-old Hope. Kim's family keeps him grounded but focused. “I'm a softy at home, but at work, I'm a hands-on businessman.” Sustaining a thriving local business isn't an easy task, but Kim's market edge lies in excellent service, product knowledge, high-quality merchandise, a broad selection and deep inventory. “If you're looking for the coolest, hippest, newest, safest, top-quality strollers, car seats and cribs, we are sure to carry them. Most important, we'll have them in stock so you're not waiting or paying exorbitant shipping costs,” he says.

Baby Emporium is also the exclusive local distributor of Stokke-, Teutonia-, Uppababy-, Combi- and Bugaboo-brand products. “We also carry the Young America line of Stanley furniture. This line is Greenguard certified, which means it meets strict health-code standards,” he says. “I believe and trust in the products that I sell. If I wouldn't use it for my children, then I won't sell it.”

Kim's company proudly supports the economy. “It's not always easy, but I believe there will always be a need in the local market for high quality, unique baby and kids' products,” he says. “As long as people keep having babies, I'll be there for them—stroller in hand.”

Celebrate Baby Emporium's seventh anniversary with a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree. See details on the inside front cover. If you are a new or expectant parent, we'd like to invite you to Baby Emporium for a free special series called “Baby Gaga.” Learn more about this special four-part series in the February issue of Island Family Magazine or send an e-mail to editor@islandfamilymagazine.com and we will send you an invitation.