Kearing CEO Jason Zhao Speaks at h+h Americas 2026 : A Manufacturer’s View on Quality,Change,and the Future of Handmade
A Different Voice on the Main Stage at h+h Americas 2026
At h+h Americas 2026 in Chicago, Kearing founder and CEO Jason Zhao was invited to speak during the opening-stage program, sharing a manufacturer’s perspective with industry leaders, retailers, designers, and craft professionals.
Jason opened with warmth and humility, joking that he might be the only CEO in the room who did not speak good English, with his wife Yuan interpreting on stage. Behind that light moment was a serious message: his perspective comes from decades of making products by hand, solving real manufacturing problems, and building tools that creators use every day.
From Ink Experiments to a Product Philosophy
Jason’s story began with a simple but important problem. Years ago, he noticed that many disappearing fabric markers on the market dried out too quickly—sometimes before even reaching the end user.
He locked himself at home, ran thousands of experiments, and developed an ink formula designed for a longer usable life. That experience shaped the foundation of Kearing: a product must solve a real pain point or clearly improve the user experience.
Even today, Jason describes himself not only as a CEO, but as a product person who spends much of his time on R&D and product development.
Original + Reimagined
One of the central ideas Jason shared was Kearing’s product development philosophy: “Original + Reimagined.”
- Original means creating truly new solutions, such as Kearing’s heat-resistant ironing ruler series—developed to solve the common frustration of ordinary transparent rulers warping or melting during pressing.
- Reimagined means returning to existing tool categories and making them better in design, material, packaging, usability, and emotional experience.
Kearing’s Iron Cleaner Stick, scissors, rulers, and cutting tools all reflect this belief: many everyday tools deserve to be made again—more modern, more beautiful, and more human.
Retail Change and New Opportunities
Jason also reflected on the changing retail landscape in North America. Large chains, shifting consumer behavior, e-commerce growth, faster delivery expectations, and rising operating costs are reshaping how craft products reach customers.
His view was direct but hopeful. Change can be painful, but it can also create room for independent retailers, community-based shops, and carefully curated stores. For manufacturers, the responsibility is clear: make products that help those shops earn trust and give customers a reason to come back.
Supporting New Shop Owners
As someone who started a business at a young age, Jason emphasized that entrepreneurship begins with genuine interest and a desire to create change.
For new shop owners, brands can help by offering practical support: reasonable minimum order quantities, better product information, training, and products that are easier to explain and demonstrate.
But the most important support is still product quality. When a customer’s first purchase from a new shop creates real surprise and satisfaction, the customer may remember not only the product, but also the shop that introduced it.
Quality as Sustainability
On sustainability, Jason shared one of Kearing’s simplest beliefs: a high-quality product that can be used for many years is one of the best forms of sustainability.
He described a message from a customer in Berlin who had used a Kearing ruler for 15 years. The ruler had not failed; only some markings had worn down. The customer returned not because the product broke, but because she truly loved it.
For Jason, that story confirmed the value of making products carefully—even when durability may seem to reduce replacement purchases.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Jason also spoke about AI. Kearing uses AI in research, formulation validation, and product testing, but the company maintains a clear principle: AI should serve the hands-on creative process, not replace it.
In the craft industry, the feeling of making something by hand remains essential. Jason believes that as technology changes how people work and live, more people may seek creative handwork not only for function, but for joy, focus, and personal expression.
Confidence in the Future of Handmade
Throughout his remarks, Jason returned to a confident message: the craft industry still has a bright future—if brands, retailers, and makers adapt with care.
Even in a difficult market, the answer is not to lower expectations. It is to build better tools, support better experiences, and keep listening to the people who make.
Kearing is grateful for the opportunity to share this perspective at h+h Americas 2026 and looks forward to continuing the conversation with the global craft community.
