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Ken Tomita
Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Grovemade
Ken Tomita is the Co-Founder and CEO of Grovemade, a company that specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality desk and office accessories.12 He founded the company in 2009 with his friend Joe Mansfield, turning their shared passion for craftsmanship and design into a successful business.1
Background and Education
Ken Tomita studied at the Rhode Island School of Design3, which likely contributed to his strong design sensibilities. Before starting Grovemade, he was a self-employed designer and builder of contemporary Japanese-inspired furniture.1
Entrepreneurial Journey
In 2009, Ken and Joe launched Grovemade, initially focusing on creating phone cases made from natural materials.1 Their breakthrough came when tech blog Gizmodo featured their product on the day of the iPhone 4 release, leading to a surge in orders.1 This unexpected success required the fledgling company to rapidly scale up production, setting the stage for Grovemade's growth.
Leadership and Vision
As CEO, Ken has guided Grovemade's evolution from a small startup to a nationally recognized maker of desktop furniture and accessories.4 He emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship, using high-quality natural materials, and focusing on both form and function in product design.5
Personal Interests
Ken is described as a "design nerd" with a passion for photography and an interesting hobby of collecting fruit stickers.2 He's known for his active involvement in the company culture, organizing field trips and engaging with the team.2
Entrepreneurial Philosophy
Ken believes in the power of small businesses and views entrepreneurship as a "life adventure".2 He advocates for seeking out challenges as a means of personal and professional growth.6 His approach to business emphasizes the importance of believing in what you're doing and striving for greatness through teamwork and continuous improvement.2
