Richard “Aki” Akimoto has a unique and heartwarming story to tell. Aki has always had a business entrepreneurial spirit and in 1985, he started his first business. But around 2000 he was approached by the owner of a bowling alley with the possibility of buying this business, Aki knew in his heart he wanted in. The owner knew Aki was the right person to sell to, but it wasn’t until 4 years later that he was willing to do so. Aki acquired the business in 2004 under Punchout, Inc. dba Leeward Bowl.

Aki learned a lot about how meaningful Leeward Bowl is to the lives of many people, young and old, once he took over the business and saw how involved his predecessor was in the community. One example, the previous owner would make calls to local households encouraging stay at home moms to come out and bowl. They didn’t know how to bowl and didn’t have a babysitter to watch their kids. Not a problem, a daycare center and staff watched the kids while moms learned to bowl. Aki embraced and to this day continues this legacy to provide housewives and seniors citizens a place to bowl that keeps them active and a safe place to come and socialize. The same holds true for open bowling for children, youths, and adults; and league play for juniors, high school, and adults.

Leeward Bowl’s operations has grown and now includes a restaurant with tasty local foods, full service bar, karaoke, pool table, dart boards, and eight50, a craft beer and whiskey bar. Operating a bowling alley is not an easy task. Aki shared that in 1960, there were 33 Bowling Centers in Hawaiʻi, today there are only 2 (non-military) centers with 1 that recently closed in 2021. Things got considerably tougher since 2019 when the pandemic resulted in government mandates closing bowling centers for a period of time and permission to reopen business was slow and social distancing was restrictive. It became increasingly difficult to operate because expenses had to be paid regardless if operations were open or not. Expenses are particularly high for rent, utilities, maintenance, and payroll.

Aki sought the assistance of the Oʻahu Small Business Development Center for business advice. A business advisor assisted in preparation of financial projections and strategic planning which provided Aki with timely information before making important decisions. Aki credits HISBDC with being a valuable resource partner.

Lydgate Farms

What started as a side business for Oʻahu client Li Bing Ning has turned into a successful multi-location pre-owned car dealership and repair facility.

Having immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990s, Bing was focused on work and raising his young family. After moving to Hawaiʻi for a new job, he decided to expand his side business of buying, repairing and selling used cars. He is passionate about this, not only due to the satisfaction that comes from taking on and solving the challenge of diagnosing and repairing vehicles, but also becasue he wants to contribute to solving the problem of abandoned vehicles that blight our roads.

Bing had quickly outgrown the facility he was leasing, and like many small shops, parked his cars on public streets around his facility. Constant moving was necessary to avoid parking tickets, however street parking and vehicle jockeying were not productive. A local bank introduced him to the Hawaiʻi SBDC. Center Director Joe Burns worked extensively with him to prepare a business plan. When developing the strategy section, the need was identified to purchase a property in order to benefit from the advantages of ownership and a permanent location.

The first loan application was denied due to lack of a sufficiently long business track record. Over the following months, the SBDC continued to work with Bing to refine his financial reporting system, and focus on marketing strategy led to a guarantee that any vehicle purchased from Today Auto would be repaired at cost if mechanical issues developed during the buyer’s ownership. This unique offering drove the growth of sales revenue, and Bing opened a second location.

Subsequently the opportunity to purchase the shop Bing was leasing appeared. Joe Burns introduced a banker and worked with Bing to prepare financial projections and a business plan update for the bank’s use in successfully underwriting an SBA 504 loan in the amount of 7 figures. Purchasing the property is saving Bing more than $5,000 per month. Despite challenges such as enduring more than 9 months to obtain a building permit, over the 4-year period of engagement with the SBDC, results have been impressive, with sales revenue and operating profit growing by over 350%.

“I very much appreciate the help given to me by Joe and the Hawaiʻi SBDC. We would not have been able to be as successful without it. The Hawaiʻi SBDC is a terrific resource for small businesses, and I look forward to working with them to continue our growth.”

Thom Sirivattha designs and handcrafts intricate silver and gold Hawaiian jewelry. He learned the art from his family business and launched on his own in 2012. With 30-years of experience, his designs are all originals and his intricate and detailed style of engraving has brought great attention to his products.

The Hawaiʻi SBDC has been working with Thom for 1.5 years on various aspects of his business; organization of his domestic and international exports, inventory control, price points, packaging, identification and alignment of target markets to his products (i.e. general vs customized pieces), etc.

Hawaiʻi SBDC also provided support and guidance on the establishment of his business in Japan. Thom’s popularity in Japan and the local market continues to grow. He is working with major department stores, mall owners, a high end retail distributor in Japan, all interested in his products. He is collaborating with a well-known artist in Japan on several jewelry pieces that will be retailed to a very specific high-end customer base.

The Hawaiʻi SBDC will be assisting Thom to move forward in the expansion of his international exports and local following.

Holly and Ash Harding founded their first company, Bubble Shack, in the kitchen of their home. They devoted much effort to make it a success, and ultimately had a production facility, a warehouse and a retail location on Oʻahu’s North Shore. They developed sales channels with some 500 wholesale accounts, 3 distributors in Japan and Korea, and robust online sales. After an intense run of 10 years, they realized that this success had come at the cost of an unhealthy lifestyle. They decided to sell the company and after a 1-year break, started a new premium, high quality skincare company called Oʻo Hawaiʻi that focuses on integrative health and beauty. They now live what the company promotes: a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

They created a line of 7 products priced from $80 to $130, including 7 topical offerings, a Gua Sha tool and oral supplement called Hawaiʻi Superfood Beauty Boost. The bird-related product names stem from the brand’s reference to Ōʻō, an extinct bird that once populated Hawaiʻi. For product ingredients, Oʻo Hawaiʻi relies on an array of thriving Hawaiian plants and nuts. The brand is focused on direct-to-consumer distribution and a careful selection of prestigious retailers.

After less than one year in business, Oʻo products are being carried by Nieman-Marcus, Duty Free Shops, and Urban Outfitters among others, and sales in Canada, Japan, Macau, Germany and Russia have begun. The company won all three judges’ prizes as well as the Audience Choice Award at Deal Appeal, the investment-focused live learning competition that capped off BeautyX Capital, during Indie Beauty Media Group’s BeautyX Summit of 2018. Holly and Ash credit the help they received from the Oʻahu SBDC with their first company in creating a distribution agreement and and later with guidance on the Purchase Agreement for the sale of the company as important elementnts of their success. The Oʻahu SBDC continues to work with them in their new endeavor, assisting with the approval of bank financing as well as for qualifying for state-sponsored exporting and manufacturing initaitives.

“We consider the Oʻahu SBDC to be one of our invaluable consultants. Joe and the SBDC have provided guidance, feasibility analysis, coaching and advice for business plan creation, contractual agreements, SBA lending, networking, growth/vision/strategy and importantly, encouragement. Thank you SBDC!”, said Holly Harding, CEO.

On August 7, 2017 “Olena by Chef Ron Simon” opened for business in the JABSOM Kakaʻako – Cafe Wailoa. Started by husband and wife team, Ron and Rose Simon. Olena’s menu features fresh farm to table local favorite entrees such as Aburage with Vegetable Saimin, Chicken-ginger Jook, Roasted Salmon & Tofu Salad, and their refreshing signature Filipino lemonade crafted specially by talented Chef Ron.

In 2015 Rose first attended Hawaiʻi SBDC’s “How to Start a Business” workshop and then met with a business advisor. From the start she had the energy and drive to learn as much as possible about operating a food business. Over the next two years Rose crafted the business plan and projections, met with her Hawaiʻi SBDC advisor several times and went to look at several site options. Each time she would circle back to the business advisor and discuss the cost, timeline, projections, location, etc. Then, in 2017, all her hard work paid off. Rose continues to stay in close contact with her business advisor, providing updates as often as possible.

Aloha Outlet is a local company that sells aloha print clothing, hula supplies, and other distinct Hawaiian products, like ukuleles, worldwide. Aloha Outlet sells its products through brick and mortar stores in Waikiki and Japan and its robust online website which showcases over 2,000 products. The business was started in 2004 and has been in operations for 13 years.

Aloha Outlet became a client of the SBDC in February 2017 with goals of increasing its online revenues, identifying new countries as potential markets, and growing local market sales in Hawaiʻi. The SBDC advised Aloha Outlet on numerous topics and issues to help the company achieve its goals. The SBDC analyzed Aloha Outlet’s marketing and sales data to identify trends and areas of improvement. This culminated with the SBDC offering the company different strategies for marketing tactics and methods of communal outreach to help the business better access local and international markets. Additionally, the SBDC performed a thorough review of Aloha Outlet’s website design and layout to enhance the end users’ buying experience.

Since working with the SBDC, Aloha Outlet has undertaken several new projects to increase its revenues and presence. Aloha Outlet is hiring a 3rd party company to manage its Google shopping campaign. In addition, the company is implementing a campaign to get more online reviews and developing an email segmentation program to increase sales conversions. Finally, Aloha Outlet is working hard in preparation to attend the Tokyo International Gift Show this fall to showcase its products at Japan’s largest trade show.

Dana Fong-Reyes and Shaun Reyes are the owners of CORE Sports Physical Therapy & Orthopedic Rehabilitation. Hawaii SBDC – Oʻahu Center has been working with the Dana and Shaun since 2014 to assist them in the acquisition of the business. In late 2015, the acquisition was completed. In 2016, they expanded the business with renovations to their current location and are seeking opportunities to either further expand at their current location or possibly open another rehabilitation facility in Kapolei. Dana and Shaun are skilled physical therapist who have developed a solid client following due to their excellent client service and warm personalities. They have also established sound referral sources due to their reputable service and credentials.

The Hawaiʻi SBDC was fortunate to work with the Reyes to provide assistance and guidance from the beginning to the acquisition of the business; review of the valuation report, work as a liaison with the lender on the possible financing, assist with their business plan and projections and assist with the seller financing. Dana and Shaun worked tirelessly on their business plan, projections, negotiations of the purchase, etc. to become entrepreneurs.

Today, Dana and Shaun have grown the business successfully on the solid foundation they built with the knowledge gained from their time and efforts in crafting their business plans and projections. They are now able to expand with confidence and the Hawaiʻi SBDC will be there to assist them when needed.

Having grown up in a third-generation family food business, having managed a large retail establishment for 10 years, and being blessed with a strong dose of entrepreneurial DNA, Marie Lau had a vision to create a business which would allow her to put into practice many of the ideas she had not yet been able to realize. The only problem was that she was not sure what type of business would best suit her talents.

That’s when she contacted Joe Burns, director of the Hawaiʻi SBDC Oʻahu Center. Over the course of many months, they explored and researched different concepts, such as a boutique for baby products, a restaurant, and a used goods consignment shop, among others. But none of these ideas resonated with Marie.

Through a fortuitous referral from an existing client, Joe learned that the owners of Hokulani Bakery wanted to sell their well-established business to pursue other interests, and so he brought them together with Marie. This was a good match, since the owners wanted to see the company continue, and not disappoint their loyal customers; while the opportunity for Marie to take over an existing food retail business gave her the platform to unleash her creative and entrepreneurial instincts.

Negotiations lasted several months, often at the SBDC office and facilitated by Joe. Due diligence included analyzing the company’s financial statements, examining the performance of each of the locations, reviewing of all the leases, and compiling a list of assets, among other tasks. Gradually the terms of a purchase agreement emerged, including the challenging valuation of the company’s intellectual property.

With help from an SBA loan from Central Pacific Bank, and the blessing of the attorneys, the sale closed on January 1, 2016. After learning the current operations, Marie has focused on revamping existing products, and introducing new ones. She has closed an underperforming location, and worked on engaging and improving her workforce. Although she has been at the helm only a short time, Marie has been able to implement some of her ideas, such as developing a financial management system, revamping product packaging and upgrading the company website. She also has begun to sell selected products through Nordstrom at Ala Moana Center.

“Joe, I can’t thank you enough and the Hawaiʻi SBDC for all the support not just for the present but also the past. I am forever grateful. Thank you again for always being a great guide through this whole journey.”

Shota Mkheidze came to the Oʻahu SBDC in February of 2011, and started a cleaning business called Honey Bee Cleaners. His first contract was for $2,500 for cleaning and polishing the floors at Don Ho’s Island Grill at Aloha Tower. During this initial start up period, he had difficulty raising capital because his credit score was not adequate.

Through hard work and help from the SBDC, operations have expanded from only cleaning to servicing cleaning machines, rentals and repairs of cleaning machines, retailing cleaning supplies, and also becoming an authorized dealer for selling specific cleaning machines. Honey Bee Cleaners has an office and warehouse at the prestigious One Waterfront Tower in Kakaʻako, Honolulu. Recently the SBDC referred him to Central Pacific Bank where he secured a $46,000 loan for his operational expansion along with a $15,000 line of credit.

Some of this biggest clients to date are Chili’s restaurants, Walmart, California Pizza Kitchen, and Ben Franklin Craft stores. Currently the SBDC is working with Shota to help with his strategic planning, and most importantly his exit strategy as he moves from owner and manager, to leader and visionary. The business has grown to over $500,000 in sales for 2016.

Lester and John are the owners of LS Automotive Repair and Transmission, LLC located in Waipahu, HI. They service most major makes and models serving all customer segments and providing about 95% of all automotive maintenance and repair services. While their competitors are new and used car dealerships in addition other independent shops, they frequently do business to business transactions because of their transmission expertise and efficient service turnover times.

They were referred to the SBDC from HawaiiUSA FCU, and needed a business plan and financial projections so they could apply for a loan and purchase a fee simple location. Their vision includes a larger space so they can increase the commercial and fleet vehicle service, along with performing state safety inspections, along with installing tire mounting and balancing equipment.

We worked diligently on their business plan and financial projections. This resulted in approval for a $1 million loan to purchase a fee simple location in Leeward Oʻahu. SBDC is currently assisting with locating a suitable space and strategic planning their operations in regards to employees and services.

LS Automotive was recently voted one of Hawaiʻi’s best independent automotive shops for 2017. There are some 110 Yelp! reviews since 2011 with an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 starts. In addition they have a BBB A+ rating.

The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) is a designated Federally Qualified Health Center under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act serving a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) comprised of a primarily Native Hawaiian population.

WCCHC had a critical need to build and operate a new health care center in Nanakuli on the western side of Oʻahu, to replace the existing facility, which was small and could not be expanded, would not be able to meet the medical care needs of the growing population, and was frequently closed due to serious maintenance issues.

WCCHC pursued a loan through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program. The USDA requested that the WCCHC complete the requisite Financial Feasibility study for the project. Joseph Burns, Director of the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center, Oʻahu, was tasked with creating the study, and led a team consisting of Richard Kebo, PhD, Senior Business Advisor, Hawaiʻi SBDC; Robert Saito, Intern; and Sarah Shell, Business Advisor Volunteer.

The study examined, among other areas, the Service Delivery Area (SDA) population, existing health care facilities and services, management, staffing, financial feasibility and the community’s need for health care services. There were only a few weeks between the day the study was requested and the end of the federal fiscal year, but the team rose to the challenge and delivered a high quality, thoroughly researched, comprehensive study. It was accepted by the USDA, and the project was subsequently funded in the amount of $4,680,000 just prior to the close of the federal fiscal year.

“Going with the Hawaiʻi SBDC is one of the best decisions I have ever made. They are great at setting expectations up front about what is included in the scope and when they can deliver the product. They consistently reach out, even at the Director level, to ascertain both the progress on the project and our satisfaction with the product. The whole experience has just been great for us”, said James Z. Chen, Chief Financial Officer, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

When Ralph, Cynthia and Sarah first came to the Hawaiʻi SBDC, all they had was a dream to move from California to Hawaiʻi to start a recreational gymnastics center incorporating children’s learning. Ralph and Cynthia are retired school teachers and Sarah, their daughter was a collegiate gymnast and a member of the Junior Olympic Program.

They had the internal skillsets to run the gymnastics programs but still had much to learn about starting a business in Hawaiʻi. Over the course of a year, we were able to assist Manakoa Gymnastics with market research and local knowledge on inventory of available commercial spaces. Being their first business in a new market proved to be a challenge in securing financing for their venture. Through hard work and persistence, we completed their business plan with financial projections and received an $80,000 SBA loan.

We will continue to work together in creating viable marketing strategies to ensure their success.

GD Design Hawaiʻi is a Honolulu architectural firm founded on principles of integrity, honesty, and teamwork. Their investment in people and meaningful relationships forms the basis for how they approach service provision. The founder of GD Design, Glenn Yokotake, started his career as an architect for well-known, well-established architectural firms in Honolulu. Over the years, he successfully built up a specialty area in educational facility design, including projects for Kamehameha Schools, the University of Hawaiʻi, and the Department of Education. He has worked on other types of projects including fire stations, military installations, retail, airport/airline, and commercial interiors. Glenn’s recent focus has been on promoting the implementation of Design Build best practices and sustainable design strategies throughout his various areas of practice.

The last company Glenn worked for, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Partner, decided not to continue in this area, so they invited Glenn to take that business and start his own firm, and GD Design was born in 2017. Their core market continues to be education, with strategic diversification in other markets such as commercial interiors, airlines and airports, retail, and municipal government facilities.

Glenn was referred to the Hawaiʻi SBDC by a local bank for help with creating financial projections, which the bank would use as part of their loan underwriting process. Subsequently, the loan officer who was working with Glenn abruptly left the bank, so Joe Burns, Director of the SBDC Oʻahu Center, introduced him to a banker at a different institution. GD Design received the financing they needed for their initial projects, which have included Kahaluʻu Ma Kai for Kamehameha Schools, Criteria Architect for the Design Build of the University of Hawaiʻi West Oahu Creative Media Facility, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Queen Liliʻuokalani Student Services Center Renovations. This has enabled the company to hire 3 full time employees, with another 2 being planned for new projects which include higher education and commercial interior projects.

Joe also helped them set up their financial reporting system using QuickBooks and has been working continuously with their Office Manager to produce accurate and meaningful financial reports to contribute to data driven management and decisions.

“We are blessed to have many strategic resources in our start-up. The SBDC and Joe are the most strategic of all. Joe’s deep knowledge of operating a business was a necessity for GD Design to get off the ground in its inaugural year. Finances, bookkeeping, organization, compliance, and training were among the key aspects of Joe’s consultations. Without his help, GD Design would be in start-up mode for years instead of months.” – Glenn Yokotake, founder, GD Design LLC

Hector’s journey to being an entrepreneur started after his relocation to Fort Shafter, Hawaiʻi. Noticing that Hawaiʻi’s Mexican restaurant industry lacked the authenticity of the Mexican food he grew up with in California, Hector decided he would try his hand at operating a Mexican eatery. He attended Hawaiʻi SBDC’s “How to Start a Business in Hawaiʻi” workshop and then met with a business advisor Lori Hiramatsu to discuss how to start his own business. With the assistance of the Hawaiʻi SBDC, Hector worked diligently on his business plan and projections; taking staffing schedules and menu item costs to the granular level. He obtained a desirable location on Wahiawa’s busy California Avenue and worked with Hawaiʻi SBDC on the start-up costs and financing options. Eventually, he obtained a business partner and was able to internally finance the new restaurant. On May 15, 2015 Taqueria El Ranchero opened for business.

Today, the business is thriving and sales are much higher than projected. With Hector’s marketing sense and close management of expenses, profits are strong. With just over 6 months in operations, Hector has received numerous investor inquiries about expanding his business to other parts of Oʻahu.

The highlight of all this is that, Hector knows his business well and is very knowledgeable about the cost of each item on his menu, profit margins, etc. He achieved this success while both serving his country full-time and working the business part-time. Hector has since retired from the Army and is working fulltime at the restaurant. His first order of business is to improve operations and customer service. Later he plans to develop sound expansion plans with projections–much like he did when he first started and Hawaiʻi SBDC will be there to support and assist him.

A couple of years ago, Dylan Butterbaugh started a bean-to-bar chocolate company called Mānoa Chocolate Hawaii in Kailua on Oʻahu. With the goal of crafting high-quality chocolate bars using sustainable production methods his venture has paid off tremendously. There aren’t large quantities of raw cacao grown in the islands, but Butterbaugh searches for small farms from which to source cacao; about half of his chocolate is made using cacao from Hawaiʻi Island.

Dylan started with a 640-square-foot shop in Kailua but has since expanded allowing him to grow both his retail and factory space. Visitors can get a tour of chocolate making as well as sample his chocolates including a dark-chocolate bar with pink sea salt from Molokaʻi and black lava salt from Hawaiʻi Island; a dark, milk chocolate bar with Hawaiian pineapple and ghost peppers from Butterbaugh’s backyard. With the assistance of the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center (SBDC), he was able to secure partial financing from banks. Even more importantly, Dylan came to the SBDC for guidance in his strategies for expansion, financial education, and operational issues.

Mānoa Chocolate Hawaii is already in stores statewide, across the Mainland and in three other countries: Japan, Belgium, and Amsterdam.

When Dr. Tham first came to the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center (SBDC) she had just a concept and raw business plan for her ophthalmology practice. With guidance from the SBDC on business planning, finances, marketing, and equipment allocations, she was able to open her practice, Pacific Vision Institute of Hawaii within a year. Her core services are treating cornea and external diseases, cataract and vision correction, cosmetic services, and comprehensive eye care.

The road to success wasn’t all that smooth. Although she has excellent credit and a spectacular work history, a couple of banks were wary of the loan because she came from an HMO. Their fear was that she wouldn’t be able to transfer patients over from the HMO unless they changed insurance carriers thus carry more risk. Still after about 8 months of shopping around banks, negotiating space at the Hale Pāwaʻa Medical Center, she was able to secure a great low interest loan from Central Pacific Bank and a wonderful space. With the SBDC’s guidance, the Pacific Vision Institute of Hawaii is now one of the premier eye care practices in the state.

Love Chance has been manufacturing a line of essential oil, high quality soaps for more than 10 years. During that time, she has built a loyal local following and has also been able to sell through luxury oriented retail locations in malls and hotels, which mostly focus on tourists.

After performing an analysis, the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center (SBDC) found that the company was underperforming, in that the amount of fixed cost overhead was high relative to top line revenue. Stated another way, the amount of fixed costs needed to run the business was high in terms of the revenue that was being generated. Since the client could not reduce fixed costs without harming the ability of the business to function, the SBDC suggested increasing sales revenue by focusing on new markets and new customers.

But the challenge was that the client was already selling through many local channels, with deep market penetration. Our solution was to encourage the client to pursue an export market-this would allow her to increase sales without appreciably increasing fixed costs. We helped the client to create an export plan for Japan, which is acknowledged as a difficult market to enter.

Part of this effort was crafting a distributor agreement, which protected the client, her products, and brand equity, while spelling out the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The products are now being exported and sold in Japan, leading to increased sales revenue and net profit. We are working on export plans to add two more countries in the near future.

A vehicle repair shop came to the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with the desire to borrow money to acquire real estate for expansion. The owners knew that with more room, they could expand their business by serving more customers. They were referred to us by a bank lending officer, because he determined that the company was not in a position to borrow money, as he was not confident they would be able to repay the loan.

Meeting with the client and some of the employees, we conducted a business analysis, and discovered issues regarding labor control, pricing, and other internal processes.

At this point the SBDC told the clients that it would take a sustained effort to address these issues. They agreed to cooperate. To begin to turn things around, we created and deployed a management system that gave the owners the ability to track and control labor. Since labor accounts for a large part of their costs, this effort, coupled with improved internal processes, eventually resulted in rising profitability.

The SBDC also insisted that the owners review their financial statements on a regular basis, in order to inform themselves what was happening in the business, and not wait until it was too late before taking action to address a problem. We worked with them to help interpret their financial numbers. This understanding of their cost structure led to a better pricing method, one that truly reflects the costs of doing business, and that takes into account overhead and any changes in inputs.

In short, after about 15 months, the client applied again and this time received the loan. They have acquired land and are in the process of constructing a new building.

Thu Yen Mac’s West Oahu Acupunture and Integrative Medicine recently opened at the Laulani Village Shopping Center offering comprehensive and alternative medical care to the residents in the Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Makakilo and Ko Olina community. Thu Yen focuses on individualized care incorporating acupuncture, botanical medicine, cupping, tui na, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, gua sha, herbal foot soaks, aromatherapy, and Tong Ren Therapy.

With many credentials, Thu Yen is certified by the Oriental Culture Institute and is the only acupuncturist to incorporate Tong Ren Therapy into her treatments in Hawaiʻi. She is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine by the National Certified Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and a member of the Hawaiʻi Acupuncture Association. Earning her Masters degree through 3,000 hours of academic and clinical training, she has also completed over 925 hours in patient care clinic rotations in hospitals and medical centers.

Thu Yen would like to invite residents of the community to come in and experience the wonderful benefits of Eastern Medicine. Filling a need for more alternative medicine in the growing community on the west side of the island, West Oahu Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine strives to help individuals restore balance, harmony, health, and wellness to their lives as well as working preventatively against disease. A sampling of conditions that can be helped include acute and chronic pain, anxiety/depression, insomnia, acid reflux, constipation/diarrhea, IBS, women’s health, men’s health, and fertility.

“Hawaiʻi SBDC has been extremely helpful in my start-up to navigate anything and everything that is needed to open a business in Hawaiʻi. Your guidance and advice have played a major role in the success of the opening on my practice, ranging from input in finding a space to providing research support and referring me to legal and insurance representatives for assistance.” – Thu Yen Mac

Paʻina Irradiator post-construction – completely built out former agricultural building with irradiator equipment installed and operational.

Our client had been working for several years towards building a commercial produce irradiation facility in order to treat produce for food borne pathogens and spoilage. Some countries that import Hawaiian papaya, sweet potatoes and basil require irradiation. The only other irradiator in the state is privately owned, and use is restricted to their customers.

The irradiation facility is financed in part by a USDA Rural Development Business and Industry Loan. One of the application requirements for this type of loan for a new or higher risk business is to submit a formal Feasibility Study as a critically important condition of approval. The Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was asked to create the Feasibility Study wherein the SBDC analyzed the many existing documents, including the construction plans, USDA and Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses, in addition to zoning and tax maps. Then we conducted primary research with key employees, with critical suppliers, and with regulatory agencies, among others. We created a full financial chapter, including projected financial statements, in depth analysis and conclusions, in the course of completing the comprehensive Feasibility Study.

The USDA and bank accepted and approved our Feasibility Study. The project was funded for approximately $4.5 million, and is now in operation. Three new jobs were created so far. The client reported to us that he had received quotations in the range of $15,000 to $18,000 to complete the Feasibility Study, and the SBDC was gratified to know that the funds he saved were able to go into the business, serving the needs of local farmers and exporters, and making a positive impact on the economy.

Celeste and her sister Jennifer approached the SBDC in December of 2016 seeking assistance in reviewing their business plan to purchase an existing business and to obtain a referral to a bank lender. They were interested in purchasing the Sugarlina Bakeshop in the Pearl Kai Shopping Center. Their vision for the store is to take advantage of the potential increase in business because of the new rail station.

Once the business plan and financial projections were reviewed and enhanced by Senior Business Advisor Richard Kebo of the SBDC, the sisters quickly went to the lender and applied for a business loan for which they were approved. Soon after, the purchase transaction was completed in May 2017.

While the previous business owner sold mostly baked goods, they have since expanded to making various drinks, and along with selling stationary and other retail items from Japan. As new owners of the bakeshop, Celeste and Jennifer will continue to benefit from SBDC support in the form of financial analysis and marketing strategy to build the business.

Matt Hodges founded Autoworks-Autosports in Honolulu, and had been in business for about 10 years when he came to the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center (SBDC). As an independent automotive repair shop focusing on imported cars, the business was operating on leased land. Matt’s challenge: Eliminate the risk of being forced to move from the location that has served his customers well, and realize a good return on his investment in shop expansion and improvements.

The SBDC began with an in-depth analysis of his existing financial statements, and developed a model for evaluating strategic alternatives for increasing revenue and to bring clarity to his overhead and direct costs. Setting shop rates and parts markup accordingly assured his being able to cover all expenses. The SBDC encouraged him to think of profit as a cost to be covered, not something that is left over at the end of the work process.

Matt followed our advice, and as a result was in a favorable position to acquire the property he had been renting when it fortuitously came up for sale. He applied for and received a U.S. Small Business Administration guaranteed 504 loan. Strengthening and clarifying his financial statements helped the bank see the value-producing processes in his company, along with a means of assessing his financial strength.

“The biggest challenge in acquiring the property was coming up with the money,” Hodges reports. “I had to liquidate my investment and retirement accounts, [but] I reasoned that the property was more likely to allow me to retire than my retirement accounts were.”

The SBDC worked with Matt to address the challenges of SBA qualifications and bank underwriting standards.

Hodges has since completed the shop expansion and improvement plans, and construction has begun. His stronger and more agile financial position has set the stage for increased opportunity and broader horizons.

When Aja Sushi first came into the Hawaiʻi SBDC Network (SBDC) they were a one shop small bento restaurant out of small commercial space on Kapiʻolani Blvd. Within a span of a year, they have expanded their business rapidly. They have since opened 2 new locations, at UH Mānoa campus and at the Ala Moana Center food court. Along the way, they have had some internal HR issues with proper work scheduling of employees and with property management.

The SBDC has advised in proper negotiation tactics with property management and advisement for expansion and right sizing the new businesses. They have grown from 11 full time employees to 30 full time employees within a year. Their one location is now expanded to three locations and they are looking to expand to another location by end of 2014. The SBDC is fully committed and will continue to advise Aja Sushi reach their fullest potential.

Vaalele Malaki sought out the Oʻahu SBDC in January 2015 seeking assistance in marketing her hand made soaps.

Through experimenting, she has found unique soap recipes that are naturally made out of her garage in Nanakuli, on the Leeward Coast of Oʻahu.

Recently she opened a holiday seasonal pop up location at the new mall in Kapolei, Ka Makana Aliʻi.

Within 6 weeks, sales topped over $130,000.

She is in the process of signing a long term agreement to remain at the mall.

The Oʻahu SBDC has also helped Vaalele identify her goals for expansion, advice on lease negotiations, financial analyses, and preparing a business plan for capital infusion.

The Oʻahu SBDC also referred her to the state’s HiSTEP program, in which she will be participating.

Before starting Adept Engineering, Josh Shuman created and founded JS Marine, a welding and fabrication business. Due to a series of administrative oversights, JS Marine found itself inundated with state and federal tax debt. Josh quickly realized the seriousness of the tax debt, and he asked the SBDC for assistance. His SBDC advisor worked with him to set up tax debt repayment plans and connected him with a CPA to further assist him with his taxes. Since Josh’s first meeting with the SBDC, he has been aggressively paying down his tax debt with JS Marine and taking the initiative to learn about bookkeeping to prevent future tax problems with his new business, Adept Engineering.

The best entrepreneurs are not those who never make mistakes; they are individuals like Josh Shuman who learn from their mistakes and continue to drive their business forward. Josh’s new business, Adept Engineering, provides the same welding and fabrication services as JS Marine, while also adding new revenue streams such as design consulting services, property management, and wholesaling products for fabricators like custom marker pens. The SBDC is assisting Josh with enhancing revenue streams, managing human capital, and organizing business operations.