At RICE, transformation happens every day—and Kim Houston is a shining example. As the Founder and CEO of Pouch and Prose, Kim is building a brand that brings thoughtful, functional stationery to life, inspired by a moment of frustration during her pregnancy more than 20 years ago.
With over 15 years of experience delivering technical solutions as a product manager, Kim brings deep expertise in systems thinking and customer experience to her entrepreneurial journey. A native of Atlanta and a proud Spelman College alumna with a Computer Science degree and an Executive MBA from Georgia State University, Kim is blending her corporate experience with her passion for creativity, productivity, and practical design.
What began as a simple sketch for an adjustable pencil pouch has blossomed into a tangible product with a clear path to market, thanks to Kim’s persistence and the structured support of RICE’s ecosystem.
“I first found out about RICE at a fashion event in the building,” Kim recalls. “I applied to become a RICE Stakeholder but wasn’t accepted at first. Instead, I received an invitation to attend the Saturday School program. That follow-up email changed everything.”
Through Saturday School, Kim immersed herself in classes on product development, retail readiness, and 3D printing. The experience gave her the foundational tools she needed to grow and reapply—successfully—to become a RICE Stakeholder. She progressed through the Inspire and Develop stages and was ultimately accepted into RICE’s inaugural Product Development Pathways (PDP) Program.
“Saturday School and PDP helped me understand everything I didn’t know—from tech packs to tariffs, from materials to branding. It was like getting an MBA in entrepreneurship, taught by people who genuinely want to see you succeed.”
Working with textile consultant Hoda Malakane, Kim developed a prototype of her adjustable pencil pouch and is already planning expanded product lines—like a bundled pouch with space for phones and glasses, and licensed partnerships with journal creators.
But beyond the technical skills, it’s the sense of community at RICE that fuels Kim’s growth.
“Everything we need as Black entrepreneurs is already in the house,” she says emotionally. “The mentorship, the ecosystem, the energy—RICE provides it all.”
RICE Stakeholders are invited to join our next Assembly Workshop on Wednesday, April 24th, where we’ll dive deeper into product development strategies and provide space to connect with experts and peers who can help bring your ideas to life.
This is your chance to continue your journey—or start a new one—with the same level of guidance, community, and innovation that empowered Kim Houston.
👉 Reserve your seat for the April 24th Assembly Workshop now at tinyurl.com/RICEAssemblyWorkshops
Let’s build the future—together.
