She is a Korean woman who has found success in male-dominated fields.
Kim Moore came to the United States with her family when she was 14 years old, a move that opened up a whole new world for her. It set her on a path that included working in the banking industry in Germany for more than a decade, and has led to her current position — managing more than 50 Cricket Wireless shops in all five boroughs.
“Most of my competitors are managed by male counterparts,” Moore says of the fast-growing wireless cellular industry. “It was a long process to earn their respect.”
Self-confidence and a strong work ethic turned the tide in her favor, she said, adding: “I had to discipline myself not to be emotional in certain situations.”
Moore moved to the New York area just seven years ago, at the urging of a nephew who thought it would be a good place for her to establish a business — even though she knew nothing about the boroughs or the subway system, and had no connections in the wireless cellular business.
“But within one year I established that 350 retailers from New York to Philadelphia would buy my products,” she says. “And 99 percent of business owners had never worked with a Korean female or a female in general.”
Initially, some would-be clients expressed doubts that Moore would be able to handle their accounts, but she said one thing she would soon learn and grow to love about New York is its diversity, and the opportunity for people of all different religions and nationalities to be accepted and become friends.
“When I look back, I think that was a life-changing time for me,” she says.
Day-to-day on the job, she makes it a point to treat each employee with respect and dignity, and show that she cares about their well-being.
“Every person you come in contact with has to feel your sincerity,” the Woman of Distinction says. “At the end of the day, your actions and integrity speak louder than your voice. That is the secret to standing equal.”
Moore also draws satisfaction from the fact that Cricket Wireless, a subsidiary of AT&T, allows its clients to make charitable donations, and matches those contributions at the end of each year. One of the uses of that money is to buy canned goods for local charities — including churches and food banks — that serve the needy.
Renee Giordano, executive director of the Sunset Park Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, says: “From the moment I met Kim Moore, she has shown herself to be a role model for how a successful business woman can still be a caring person. She embraced our community, and immediately made a difference in the lives of our residents.”
Being honored as a Woman of Distinction is just the latest accolade for Moore, who received a Certificate of Recognition from Brooklyn State Senator Velmanette Montgomery at the Sunset Park Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District’s 21st annual meeting. She was also recognized by the Korean Foreign Ministry for leading the Atlanta Korea Business Women’s Association for eight years.
Neighborhood: Sunset Park.
Occupation: General manager.
Company: Cricket Wireless DBA KNK LLC.
Claim to fame: Making it in a man’s world.
Favorite Brooklyn Place: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, because of its tranquility.
Woman I Admire: My mother. From her, I learned to have confidence, a strong work ethic, and empathy for others.
Motto: Keep your promise, no matter what.
