Our Friend of the Week — Kim Laama
Your City: San Francisco and New YorkYour What: Tokyobike. Biking is my favorite way to explore New York – and it provides a great break from the humid subway in summertime. They have just the perfect variety of customization options, and the staff is handsome, warm and helpful!
Company URL: AKQA.comInstagram: @kimlaama1. Nickname: Flirty Sanchez. More secret luchadora identity than nickname.2. What’s your short story? I dreamed of being a writer & escaping the Midwest. I enrolled in the Journalism program at SFSU & learned to write code. HTML landed me my first UX gig. After 10 years in startups, and learning UX from a few great mentors, I joined AKQA. I now lead a diverse team of UX designers, who work on campaigns, service design and product design projects. I still wish for a quiet writer's cabin. Maybe someday.3. What’s your jam (fight song, personal soundtrack)? WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM. I love the radio in the mornings & weekends. I can't get enough John Coltrane. He keeps me mellow.
Company URL: AKQA.comInstagram: @kimlaama1. Nickname: Flirty Sanchez. More secret luchadora identity than nickname.2. What’s your short story? I dreamed of being a writer & escaping the Midwest. I enrolled in the Journalism program at SFSU & learned to write code. HTML landed me my first UX gig. After 10 years in startups, and learning UX from a few great mentors, I joined AKQA. I now lead a diverse team of UX designers, who work on campaigns, service design and product design projects. I still wish for a quiet writer's cabin. Maybe someday.3. What’s your jam (fight song, personal soundtrack)? WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM. I love the radio in the mornings & weekends. I can't get enough John Coltrane. He keeps me mellow.
4. What motivates you? "Failure is always the best way to learn..." I play Failure by Kings of Convenience on repeat when I'm tackling a new challenge. It reminds me it's OK to make mistakes & encourages me to embrace my fear because it means I'm reaching beyond my current limits.
5. Who do you think you’d have great friend chemistry with (notable people past or present)? A love affair with Ernest Hemingway or Pablo Neruda. Guess we could be friends too.6. What qualities do your favorite friends have in common? Generous. Open to try new things. Honest. Even if the truth hurts. Big eaters & great cooks.7. What’s the smartest, most inspiring, awesome thing you’ve read, watched, or listened to? Helene Dumais crossing the finish line at Fuego y Agua 24 hour Survival Run in Nicaragua. She was the first woman to ever complete it. Two days later she took 2nd place in the 100k. Amazing stamina, determination and strength.
8. What whets your appetite? The creme brûlée doughnut from Doughnut Plant. Currently obsessed!
9. What’s next on your To Do List? Conquering the Double Dipsea race at Stinson Beach, CA on June 18. 13.1 miles & ~4500 elevation change throughout the course. My mom will be there to help me celebrate at the finish line.
10. How are you friends with Gina + Amy? We met in their Splendora days through our mutual friend Kristin Skinner. I remember thinking, "these ladies are the whole package: smart, stylish & successful!" It was so great to meet female founders at that time.
11. Who would you nominate for our next Friend of the Week? Julia Jahn. She’s director of culture & wellness at AKQA San Francisco. She created the role, and has developed healthy and fun programs to promote employee well-being.