Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
25 years
What is your primary product or service?
Japanese children's picture cared stories ("kamishibai")
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I came in contact with kamishibai while in Japan in 1969-71,(my husband had a USAF tour of duty there). I was the kindergarten teacher on the Air Force station and organized cultural exchange visits with the Japanese kindergarten inb the local community, They brought kamishibai to my classroom, The American children loved the stories and I was able to get them translated into English. When we returned tio the US, I used them in kindergartens here and the kids were enthusiastic about them. I decide to make kamishibai available to schools and libraries throughout the USA and started a business to do that.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Kamishibai for Kids is the sole authorized distributor of kamishibai in the USA and Canada,
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
This is a home business. We market via the internet and occasionally at teachers; and librarians' conferences.
Provide detailed directions to your location
The business ins located in my apartment on the Upper West Side un Manhattan, New York City, but their is no retail sales conducted at that location.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept personal checks and, for wesite orders, MasterCard and VISA.
Which areas do you service?
We ship orders throughout the USA and Canada.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
It's a Sole Proprietorship run by me and my husband.
What are your hours of operation?
We accept orders over the Internet 24/7. The business can be reached by phone during normal business hours (9 a.m-5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday).
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That they enjoyed the kamishibai and are glad I introduced them to the USA.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."
James Thoreau