Park Hyun-soo (JBNU, Department of Architectural Engineering)
- Engineer of ARCOMPANY
- Founder of Arc Kitchen, Ieum
Arc Kitchen Instagram: @arc_kitchen_
Arc Kitchen Website: http://arccf.com/

Space is still considered as an essential part of our society. A lot of work or activity is done online due to COVID-19, physical space is necessary for both online and offl ine activities. In modern society, people have to pay excessive costs to own spaces for a particular purpose. For this reason, those who need space, but are not financially independent, wander around looking for cheap space to rent. Because of this, the concept of sharing space has emerged. There are various forms of shared space. For example, residents share living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens houses. Emerging artists can even display their own artwork through gallery sharing and store sharing. Among these people, the JBNU Globe reporters met Park Hyun-soo, the founder of ‘Arc Kitchen,’ a company that is providing co-working space for startup companies that lack funds.

Why Shared Kitchen?

Majoring in the Department of Architectural Engineering, Park developed his sense of spatial usage. After launching his first business, he engaged his desire to build a business with a win-win relationship. He came up with the concept of 'shared spaces.’ Among the shared spaces, he focused on the kitchen because of the government's lack of support for the small business in the food service industry. He then planned to open a space for entrepreneurs to come and start a stable and successful delivery-specialized restaurant of their own.

‘Arc Kitchen’ as a brand

With the slogan “start a business at the cost of a studio apartment,” Arc Kitchen opened in 2020. "A lot of people are afraid to start their restaurant because of the rent and interior fees. Delivery services have been extremely active lately, and I believe this industry will get bigger.” According to the database he analyzed, a viral epidemic comes within every two to three years. As expected, COVID-19 came after SARS, and it led to the development of the delivery industry. The government even restricted the operation of multi-facilities in metropolitan areas after ten p.m. Arc Kitchen was built to be pandemic-proof, specializing in delivery. Park created a structure that allows store owners to easily come in and move out by already completing the interior and facilities. The floor is outfitted to service up to twenty businesses with compartmentalized kitchens. Arc Kitchen has focused on geographical advantages, too. Since it is the first and the largest shared kitchen in Jeonbuk, and is in the best marketing area, delivery services are cheaper and more active.

Stepping forward, for the better

After adopting the concept, Park analyzed the Jeonju market and city streets and concluded that what they need the most are localization and support. He added, “However, one more thing which differentiates Arc Kitchen from other shared spaces is that we also work as a platform.” Because it is too much for an individual to hire a lawyer, an accountant, register as mobile delivery services, and promote their business, he created a platform called 'Ieum,’ which means 'to connect' in Korean. This service connects Arc Kitchen users with an enterprise that meets their needs. This structure applies the theory of group purchasing. When Arc Kitchen users send a request to the offi ce, Arc Kitchen connects business owners with enterprises that help them reach their goals.

‘Ieum,’ the bridge for every business

When individuals or business restaurant teams join the platform, they can control everything from operation to management with only Ieum. This means that Ieum provides its users with business solutions. In the process of developing Ieum, he went through many hardships. He mentioned analyzing data. The shared kitchen itself costs a lot in the early stages of the start-up, so he tried his best to collect accurate data. He met people with data in person, interviewed them, and has even been kicked out after sending a link for the survey in the KakaoTalk open chatting room. With the knowledge of how important collecting data will be for his business, he emphasized some tips about it. "Open data is endless, so these things can be collected without paying. However, some might not fi t into your current local business or marketing area. So, it is necessary to selectively collect data. Search for the spots and make them yours."

Together we are winners

"I prefer to work cooperatively rather than to work alone and look fancy," he said of his values. If divided fi fty-fi fty, it creates a win-win structure. This concept is being applied in Park’s business. “In other words, Arc Kitchen can grow when the user, my business partner, grows." He even shares the data Ieum collects when small business owners first move in. He met a lot of greedy business owners while operating his previous businesses. "After all these hardships, I decided to abandon greed. If small businesses grow in Jeonbuk, they could be my partner, and we can all save money by group-purchasing. It could also save the region economically."

**about his start-up challenging

The long route of a start-up sometimes encounters winds and waves. However, you cannot challenge yourself if you're afraid of failure before you even start. Of course, your prototype may not have a high chance of success. Despite the low chance of success, the impact of success is priceless.
If you conceive a new business plan in your head, you can receive seed capital from the start-up education center at JBNU. The amount of support funding you can receive is not very large. In fact, even if you receive seed capital, the success or failure of your business depends on how you use it. Here's a tip from Park: When producing the first item, it is better to produce a product that can actually be used rather than to make efforts to build detailed functions of the product from the beginning. Park also experienced many trials and errors in the process of developing, producing, and operating his first prototype. In the second stage of development, it is important to refine the prototype through endless feedback with faith and courage. Even if you face an unknown route, you can refine it step by step and carve out infinite paths to succes.

By Ku Halin, Han Hee-jeong Reporters