K Startup Lab focuses on real problems faced by small business owners
K Startup Lab is a practical startup consulting brand operated by startup consultant Kang Jongheon. It provides startup consulting, restaurant business consulting, startup education, business closure consulting and AI startup tools.
About K Startup Lab
K Startup Lab supports entrepreneurs, small business owners, restaurant operators, people considering business change and people preparing for business closure. The goal is to help organize realistic decisions before starting, changing or closing a business.
A business decision requires more than enthusiasm. Founders must review category selection, location, startup cost, menu structure, customer acquisition, operation system, sales management and business risk.
K Startup Lab is a startup consulting brand operated by startup consultant Kang Jongheon. It is not presented as a public institution, agency or corporation. The service focuses on practical consulting, education and AI-based self-check tools.
Kang Jongheon
Kang Jongheon is a startup consultant with experience in restaurant business operations, franchise practice, startup consulting, business closure consulting, startup education, books and media activities.
His consulting approach focuses on risk, cost structure, location, menu competitiveness, operation capacity and practical decisions rather than vague success stories.
Current activities
- Publisher of Monthly Startup Economy
- Director of K Startup Lab
- Startup consultant and business closure consultant
- Startup evaluation committee member at Seoul Business Agency Startup Hub Gongdeok
- Startup mentor for Sungkyunkwan University practical startup club SPEC
- Executive director at TimeWeb
- Event division chairperson of the National GED Alumni Association
Earlier business background
Restaurant and franchise field experience forms an important foundation of K Startup Lab’s consulting. A business plan must be reviewed together with real store operations and on-site problems.
- Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel, Geumryong
- Neulbom Manrijangseong
- NewCore Yangjagang
- Mom’s Side Dish franchise business
- Lee Chang-myung’s Jajangmyeon franchise business
- Hwarodakbal and other franchise business operations
- Former representative of Foodservice Startup Research Institute
Consulting focus areas
K Startup Lab covers key decision points for entrepreneurs and small business owners, from startup preparation to pre-opening checks, sales improvement, business change and business closure planning.
Startup item selection
Review whether the business idea fits the founder’s budget, experience, location, operating time and target customers.
Location analysis
Check rent, customer flow, competitors, access, parking and market area risk before making a business decision.
Restaurant menu planning
Review menu structure, pricing, food cost, kitchen flow, presentation and menu board direction.
Pre-opening checklist
Check menu quality, service, hygiene, operation flow, staff roles and customer response before opening.
Operation improvement
Review weak sales, customer response, service quality, cost pressure, staff operation and reviews.
Small business marketing
Review online visibility, blog content, review replies, social posts and store introduction copy.
Business closure consulting
Review business closure, transfer, re-startup preparation and risk reduction direction.
Consulting fees
Consulting fees depend on the scope, site visit, report writing and execution support.
Representative books
Kang Jongheon has published books related to startup, restaurant business, business closure, small business consulting, AI utilization and franchise practice.
Business Closure Is Also a Strategy
A book about reducing risk during business closure and organizing business exit decisions.
ISBN 9788993409345
Kang Jongheon’s Startup Consulting
A startup consulting book that explains what founders should check before starting a business.
ISBN 9791139005660
ChatGPT Guide for Small Business Owners
A practical book about how small business owners can use AI and ChatGPT.
ISBN 9791139022179
Restaurant Renewal Strategy to Revive Sales
A practical book about weak sales and renewal direction for restaurant businesses.
ISBN 9788924194180
Restaurant Business Failure Studies
A book that analyzes failure factors and operational risks in the restaurant business.
ISBN 9788924208979
Restaurant Franchise Headquarters Strategy
A practical book on franchise headquarters structure and restaurant franchise systems.
ISBN 9788924194364
Lecture and education activities
Kang Jongheon delivers practical lectures for startup support organizations, local governments, universities, associations and small business education programs. The lectures focus on real startup decisions, store operation, cost structure, customer acquisition, business closure and re-startup preparation rather than theory alone.
Practical startup lectures
Covers startup item selection, business planning, location judgment, startup cost and pre-opening checklist from the founder’s perspective.
Restaurant and small business training
Covers menu structure, cost, kitchen flow, food presentation, service, online promotion and store operation improvement.
Practical AI training
Provides hands-on training on ChatGPT, promotional writing, content planning, image and video ideation and workflow automation for small businesses.
Recent lecture, education and expert content history
The following list is arranged in reverse chronological order to show ongoing activity up to the most recent year. Kang Jongheon continues to participate in public lectures, online education, expert media content and practical training related to startup, restaurant business, business closure, re-startup and small business operations.
- 2025 KBS [The Boda] “Retirement Instead of Business Closure” — expert appearance on self-employment and business closure
- 2025 KBS Current Affairs, “Self-Employment Report: Debt Trap,” Episode 507 — expert content on the self-employment crisis
- 2025 KBS “Era of Extreme Uncertainty - Save the Economy,” Episode 494 — content on small businesses and self-employed owners
- 2024 MBN Field Report Special World, Episode 653, “Can a Takeout Specialty Cafe Be Revived?” — field consulting case
- 2024 KBS1 Tracking 60 Minutes, Episode 1360, “The Era of Business Closure, Self-Employed Owners in Crisis” — business closure field content
- 2023 Naver Business School, “Store Transfer, Acquisition and Closure” — online education content
- 2023 KBS1 Current Affairs Program, Episode 147, “The Beginning of Recession Part 1 - Everyone Becomes Poorer” — expert content on self-employment recession
- 2021 Small Business Knowledge Learning Center, “Operation Strategies Based on Common Factors of Closing Businesses” — education content
- 2021 SBS Morning Wide Part 3, “I Am a Business Closure Consultant” — media appearance
- 2021 KBS2 Good Morning Korea Live, “People on the Line” — media appearance
- 2021 YTN, “Self-Employed Owners on the Edge” — expert content on the self-employment crisis
- 2021 YTN, “The Reality of Self-Employed Owners Reaching Their Limit” — field-related expert content
- 2020 Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, “Prepared Business Closure, the Beginning of a New Start” — education program
- 2020 Small Business Knowledge Learning Center, “Essential Checklist for Business Closure” — education content
- 2020 Gyeonggi Self-Employment Academy, “Learn to Earn, Practical Rules for Self-Employment” — lecture
- 2020 TV Chosun Alcong Dalcong, “Startup That Reduces Failure” — startup-related expert content
- 2019 Small Business Broadcasting YES TV, “From Business Closure to Startup, What You Need to Know” — educational broadcast content
- 2018 Small Business Broadcasting YES TV, “Are You Startup?” — startup education content
- 2012 Small Business Broadcasting YES TV, “Field Spotlight,” “Buzzing Successful Stores,” “Industry-Specific Consulting Zoom-In,” and “Our Neighborhood Commercial Area Analysis”
- 2006 KTV National Broadcasting, “Policy Knowledge Makes Money - From Startup to Success, Self-Employment Consulting System”
- 1998 Social Education Center: Restaurant business lectures at Ansan University and Shinheung University
- Others Additional broadcasting, lecture and education content activities in startup, restaurant business, small business operation, closure and re-startup
This list focuses on lecture, education and expert content activities that show current and continuous professional engagement. The lecture archive can be expanded with field photos, institution names, target participants and summarized lecture topics.
Media, lecture and content activities
Kang Jongheon has participated in broadcasting, public education, online lectures and small business content programs based on long-term field experience in self-employment, restaurant business, startup, closure, re-startup and small business operations.
2025 KBS programs on self-employment and business closure
Participated in KBS programs including The Boda, Self-Employment Report, and Era of Extreme Uncertainty, covering self-employment crisis and closure issues.
2024 media coverage on small business crisis
Appeared in programs such as MBN Field Report Special World and KBS1 Tracking 60 Minutes, focusing on business closure risks and real problems faced by small business owners.
2023 Naver Business School
Provided practical educational content on store transfer, acquisition and business closure for small business owners through Naver Business School.
Broadcasting and lecture activities since 1997
Has continued media and education activities through KBS, SBS, MBC, YTN, Small Business Broadcasting, Korea Economic TV and other channels.
View full media and lecture history
- 2025 KBS [The Boda] Retirement Instead of Business Closure
- 2025 KBS Current Affairs, Self-Employment Report: Debt Trap, Episode 507
- 2025 KBS Era of Extreme Uncertainty - Save the Economy, Episode 494
- 2024 MBN Field Report Special World, Episode 653: Can a Takeout Specialty Cafe Be Revived?
- 2024 KBS1 Tracking 60 Minutes, Episode 1360: The Era of Business Closure, Self-Employed Owners in Crisis
- 2023 Naver Business School: Store Transfer, Acquisition and Closure
- 2023 KBS1 Current Affairs Program, Episode 147: The Beginning of Recession Part 1 - Everyone Becomes Poorer
- 2021 SBS Morning Wide Part 3: I Am a Business Closure Consultant
- 2021 KBS2 Good Morning Korea Live - People on the Line
- 2021 YTN: Self-Employed Owners on the Edge
- 2021 YTN: The Reality of Self-Employed Owners Reaching Their Limit
- 2021 Small Business Knowledge Learning Center: Operation Strategies Based on Common Factors of Closing Businesses
- 2020 MBC Standard FM: Lee Jinwoo’s Economy in Hand
- 2020 SBS 8 News: Even After COVID-19, People Will Eat Out Less... Restaurants in Crisis
- 2020 Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise: Prepared Business Closure, the Beginning of a New Start
- 2020 Small Business Knowledge Learning Center: Essential Checklist for Business Closure
- 2020 Gyeonggi Self-Employment Academy: Learn to Earn, Practical Rules for Self-Employment
- 2020 SBS 8 News: Business Closure Also Requires Preparation
- 2020 TV Chosun Alcong Dalcong: Startup That Reduces Failure
- 2019 Small Business Broadcasting YES TV: From Business Closure to Startup, What You Need to Know
- 2018 Small Business Broadcasting YES TV: Are You Startup?
- 2018 KBS News Plaza
- 2018 SBS CNBC Back Briefing Sisigakgak
- 2017 SBS Life Economy: Helping Small Businesses in Crisis of Closure
- 2016 EBS Parents Issue N Mom: Career-Interrupted Women, Return to Work with Confidence
- 2015 MBN Information Magazine Heyday: Talk Talk 365
- 2012 Small Business Broadcasting YES TV: Field Spotlight, Buzzing Successful Stores, Industry-Specific Consulting Zoom-In, Our Neighborhood Commercial Area Analysis
- 2010 MBN Small Business
- 2010 Korea Economic TV: Hope Drumbeat
- 2006 KTV National Broadcasting: Policy Knowledge Makes Money - From Startup to Success, Self-Employment Consulting System
- 2006 SBS Youth Success Era: Tomorrow’s Cooking King
- 2004 Gyeongin Broadcasting: Food Special Forces
- 2003 Food TV: Jung Shinwoo’s Cooking Workshop
- 2002 Gyeongin Broadcasting: Morning Yard
- 2001 MBC Find the Delicious TV
- 1999 Film Beijing Restaurant
- 1998 Social Education Center: Restaurant Business Lectures at Ansan University and Shinheung University
- 1997 KBS2 Special Video Journal: The Secret of Jajangmyeon
- And many other broadcasting and lecture activities
Media and lecture activities serve as trust references for K Startup Lab. Actual consulting and education are reviewed based on the client’s situation, business type, local market conditions and operational capability.
Startup education and collaboration
K Startup Lab can provide practical education for entrepreneurs, small business owners, restaurant operators, re-startup preparation and AI utilization.
Startup preparation
Covers startup item selection, startup cost, business planning, location review and pre-opening checklist.
Restaurant business training
Covers menu planning, food cost, presentation, kitchen flow, customer service and operation improvement.
Business closure and re-startup
Covers business closure risk, business change, re-startup preparation and AI utilization for small business owners.
Need help organizing a startup or small business decision?
If you are reviewing a business idea, location, menu, sales decline, business change, business closure or education request, K Startup Lab can help organize the practical direction based on your current situation.