Sue Kim - Drohomyrecky

Founder & Partner

A culinary journey that began amidst the vibrant cultures of Asia, Kim-Drohomyrecky's life has always been steeped in rich gastronomy. Born in Seoul and raised in various global cities, she found her heart in Chicago at a young age.

First Steps in Hospitality

While attending Northwestern University, she dipped her toes into the world of hospitality, working at local eateries. Washington Gardens in Highwood, an Italian gem, was where she truly grasped the essence of heartfelt hospitality.

Pioneering Ventures & Pivotal Moments

By 1992, she was exploring the upscale seafood realm at Shaw's Crab House and becoming a part of the renowned Lettuce Entertain You group. It's where she met Peter, her soon-to-be life and business partner. Yet, her real turning point came in 1998 at Trio in Evanston, under the mentorship of owner Henry Adaniya and alongside Chef Shawn McClain, who would become a significant collaborator.

Rising to Culinary Acclaim

The new millennium saw Kim-Drohomyrecky and her team launch Spring, an instant sensation. Success stories followed with Green Zebra and Custom House Tavern. And while paths diverged with McClain, Kim-Drohomyrecky's passion led to the birth of Maison, a charming French bistro.

An Evolving Legacy with Lettuce Entertain You

2013 marked her reconnection with Lettuce Entertain You, as she took the reins at Mon Ami Gabi. Partnership followed suit and led her to the revolutionary Intro and later to the unveiling of Naoki. Her expertise then brought the iconic Booth One back to life.

New Beginnings

By 2020, she ushered the Lettuce Entertain You brand into Texas, launching the buzzing Aba Austin amidst the challenges of the pandemic era.

Beyond her illustrious career, Kim-Drohomyrecky cherishes her role as a mother to Michael and Charlie. She's proud to call the warm embrace of Austin, Texas, her home, reflecting her journey of love, food, and family.

Katie Kim, CCIM

Founder & Partner

Katie J. Kim is a visionary leader with a profound background in construction, real estate, technology, and business development. Her journey began in high school when she founded her own website development company, reflecting her passion for creating businesses that have a positive impact on her community.

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 Early Entrepreneurship

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Katie's journey is deeply rooted in her family's legacy in the development, real estate, and construction industry. Her innate understanding of operations and processes began during her childhood. After earning a BS in Computer Science, Katie worked at Accenture Technology Labs, where she tackled strategic solutions for global companies across diverse industries.

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 Pioneering Ventures & Pivotal Moments

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In 2007, Katie returned to her hometown, bringing innovation and growth to her family's construction business while simultaneously launching The Kim Group, which managed real estate transactions. In 2015, Katie and her husband, Charles, relaunched The Kim Group, introducing a Professional Service division dedicated to guiding individuals and businesses through the development and business growth process.

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Rising to Acclaim​

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Katie's passion extends beyond the confines of business, evident in her dedication to enhancing work environments and communities. Her notable achievements include receiving the Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Award for Adaptive Reuse in 2017 and the Women of Influence award from InterBusiness Issues Magazine. She also won the Unsung Shero Award in 2019 and the ATHENA International Woman of Leadership Award in 2020. Katie's recent projects include a successful Public-Private Partnership with the Peoria Park District, transforming a historic campus into a thriving community destination which enabled her to be nominated by her peers for the Industry Achievement Award from the Peoria Area Association of Realtors along with 50 FORWARD Historic Renovation Influencer Award.

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An Evolving Legacy

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Katie is a motivational force that encourages personal and professional growth in her clients and peers. In 2021, she expanded her horizons to Austin, Texas, founding The Kim Group ATX, alongside her husband. Managing both locations has its challenges, but Katie's exceptional team makes it a rewarding endeavor.

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New Beginnings

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During the launch of The Kim Group ATX, Katie collaborated with Sue, sharing a passion for helping people and drawing from their extensive experiences. From their discussions, Tykhe Group was born. Katie's expertise in designing business spaces and teams, combined with Sue's hospitality and culinary background, led to the creation of Tykhe Group. This partnership also gave birth to Playground ATX and promises many more exciting ventures in the future.

Trang Phan

General Manager

Trang is a Vietnamese-born hospitality professional.

Her career began at the Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, where she thrived planning events for her international student club. Afterwards, she earned her stripes at The Modern, a two Michelin starred restaurant in NYC. During the pandemic, she moved back to Washington state to run her own pop up called Pig & Pineapple, which served international foods to her local community. 

She spent the past three years in Austin, most recently as a Service manager at Aba Austin. She lives by the phrase, “The harder you work, the luckier you get”.

Her next chapter with the Tykhe Group is her opportunity to grow roots in the community. “I love the quirky nature of Austin. My goal is to strengthen the passion and innovation in our beautiful community, especially among our female lead businesses.”