Meet Peter Kim | Creative Director, Marathon Photographer, and UX Professor at APU, Marathoner.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States when I was eight years old. Growing up in Southern California during the ’90s, I was often one of the only Asian kids in my elementary school. That experience of feeling different deeply shaped my perspective—it taught me resilience, the importance of representation, and the power of creativity as a form of self-expression.

As I’ve grown into roles as a Fin-tech Creative Director, a UX Professor at APU, and an app Creative Director for my running community, I’ve carried those early lessons with me. Now, with Korean culture gaining global recognition, I find pride in the identity that once made me feel isolated. My upbringing has fueled my passion to create inclusive spaces—whether through design, photography, education, or running. Today, I use my voice and skills to uplift communities, connect people through visual storytelling, and design tools that support and celebrate movement—literally and figuratively.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am one of the founding partners of Stride Labs, a creative app development company built with a singular mission: to support and empower the global running community. Our team came together from a shared belief that running clubs—especially the grassroots, community-driven ones—deserve better tools to stay organized, grow, and thrive.

Stride Labs was born out of real-life experience. As a marathon runner and active member of the Azusa Pacers, I saw firsthand how hard it can be for local clubs to manage communication, event coordination, coaching, and community-building across platforms. So, along with a few close friends—developers and designers who are also runners—we decided to build a tool by runners, for runners.

What sets us apart is not just our passion for the sport, but our deep understanding of how technology can serve human connection. With my background as a Creative Director and UX Professor, I’ve always believed that great design should solve real problems—and that’s exactly what we’re doing at Stride Labs. Our goal is to provide every run club, no matter how big or small, with a beautifully designed, easy-to-use app that helps them stay connected and grow their community.

We’re still in the early stages, but we’ve already built meaningful momentum. The biggest challenges have been balancing day jobs, family life, and our passion project—but our love for the running community keeps us going. We’re now looking for strategic partners and investors who share our vision and want to be part of a movement that’s much bigger than just an app.

What I want the world to know is that Stride Labs isn’t just a business—it’s a story of purpose, community, and movement. We’re designing more than just tech—we’re designing connection, health, and inspiration.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, they’d definitely get the full Southern California experience—with a runner’s twist, of course.

We’d kick things off with a Wednesday night run with the Azusa Pacers, my local running family. There’s an incredible community vibe, and I’d love for them to feel the same energy that keeps me grounded.

From there, we’d explore the best of LA and beyond. A morning hike in Griffith Park for a sunrise view of the city, followed by breakfast burritos from Lucky Boy in Pasadena. Then maybe an afternoon cruising along the coast—Manhattan Beach or Laguna Beach, depending on the vibe.

We’d hit up some of my favorite eats throughout the week: Korean food in Koreatown, tacos at El Tepeyac Cafe in East LA, and ramen from Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. For something casual and social, a beer from Congregation in Downtown Azusa is always refreshing, especially after a Saturday long run.

I’d also take them to visit a few cultural spots that inspire my creative work—like The Broad, MOCA, and a drive down to the beaches. At some point during the week, we’d unwind with coffee and chill time at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena—one of my go-to spots to reflect and reconnect.

To wrap it up, we’d probably spend Sunday morning running part of the San Gabriel River Trail, grab brunch, and then just hang with my running community or family, recharging before their trip back.

The week would be the perfect mix of movement, food, culture, and community—just how I live my life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my mentor, Mike and Dee Nasatir and their family. I met Mike in high school, and he and his family welcomed me into their lives as one of their own. Coming from a single-mother household, this family’s presence and guidance was life-changing. He took me to museums, introduced me to culture and education, and opened my eyes to a world I might not have explored otherwise. His mentorship laid the foundation for the creative path I walk today.

I also want to recognize the Azusa Pacers Running Team. When my family moved to Azusa, joining this community completely transformed our lives. Through this team, I was able to train for and complete the 2025 Los Angeles Marathon and become an ambassador for the Asics SMSB Team. A huge shout out to our coaches Frank and Maria Delgadillo, and especially to Eric Duran, who first invited me to the club. From this amazing community, I connected with friends Shachi Shah, Rushil Popat, and Kim Menchaves to build a unique running club app—something we believe no other team has done. We’re just getting started and have big plans to grow and support even more running communities in the future.

Instagram: peterkim.run or peterkim.photos

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkgdesign/

Image Credits
Peter Kim