We had the good fortune of connecting with Chase Kiernan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chase, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was thinking about what I wanted to do after high school and came up with the idea of having a K-Pop store. My friends and I have made many trips to visit the stores in Doraville, GA and Orlando, FL to purchase albums and merchandise. We have always wished there was a local K-Pop community where fans could get together for photocard trading events, dance practice, and to hang out while sharing their love of all things K-Pop. I mentioned this idea to my parents and after some thought and research they decided this was a great idea that I could start now. Legally I cannot own a business in Georgia at the age of 16, but this way I could learn how to run it and move into a partner or ownership role when I turn 18.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am 16 years old, running a physical K-Pop shop. My parents legally own it, but I select what albums and merchandise we carry, make all decisions on the appearance of the store including decor, logo, colors, and handle all of the social media accounts. I create the daily posts and stories, message with customers, and approve what is featured on the website that my mother built. This has not been easy, but I am still learning and overcoming challenges. My goal is to create a positive community for all K-Pop fans to share and gather.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Middle Georgia has a lot of great places to visit, especially for food and drinks. Hello Boba in downtown would obviously be the first place I would take them for Boba Tea. Kimchi Factory, a local Korean restaurant, for their Dumpling Ramen. Tokyo Alley, for Bangkok Chicken and noodle salad. We would attempt to catch breakfast at Root 76 Cuisine in Warner Robins (shout out to my dad’s business). We could spend an entire Saturday visiting our neighboring businesses in Historic Ingleside Village. Places such as Moonstruck Souls to visit with the owner Shay and her mom, Tracy, and Duncan (the empath dog) and to relax in the positive energy of their crystals. Society Garden to enjoy live music and non-alcoholic slushies outside. Fanboy Comics, William’s Fun Smart Toys, iced coffee and cookies at Oh Honey Baking Company, Joe D’s sandwich shop, browse clothes and jewelry at Dani-Rae & Company, and Ingleside Village Antique Centre. These businesses have all been very supportive and welcoming of our Macon K-Pop store. We could then end the night with a White Pizza and “sloppy” bread sticks from Ingleside Village Pizza. Macon is also home to the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds, Brown’s Mount, many beautiful college campuses, and other wonderful hidden gems around downtown and the surrounding area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents, Scott and Misty Kiernan, for inspiring me to pursue this passion and supporting me along the way. Since I was little, my dad and I have talked about different retail store ideas. He opened a chocolate shop when my mom was pregnant with me and I spent the first 2 years of my life growing up in the chocolate shop with him making all of the chocolate candies, pastries, cakes, and desserts and my mom running the front of the shop. My mom for taking the idea and making the steps necessary to secure the location, complete all of the paperwork, and figuring out how to make this dream possible.

Website: www.maconkpop.com

Instagram: @maconkpop

Twitter: @maconkpop

Facebook: @maconkpop

Yelp: Macon K-Pop

Other: TikTok @maconkpop

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.