The Hilo Farmers Market has been a mainstay of downtown Hilo since 1988. The market is open seven days a week and prior to the covid-19 pandemic was one of the state’s largest producer markets with as many as 200 vendors selling everything from fresh island fruits and vegetables, tropical flowers, specialty food products, to handmade arts and crafts. Many of the vendors are minority and underrepresented populations who depend upon the market for their livelihoods.

Purchased from its founder by Keith De La Cruz in 1999, the market was the first in the nation to be federally approved to accept food stamps by way of a unique electronic system and EBD cards. It was also one of the first markets in the country to have a digital presence, operating an on-line store beginning in 2001.

Mr. De La Cruz began a major renovation of the market in 2020. The design will keep the outdoor ambiance of the existing market while improving the vendor and customer experiences by providing permanent structural roofing and paved lots with improved drainage. With the assistance of the East Hawaiʻi SBDC the market applied for and received an SBA-backed 7(a) loan to begin work on the project.

In early 2021 the HISBDC again supported the market by preparing a feasibility study for a United States Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program grant, to help with the costs of a creative solar project for the market. The unique solution will provide great value to the market, Hilo, Hawaiʻi County and Hawaiʻi. The project is utilizing a Power Purchase Agreement and Investor model that significantly reduced upfront costs to the market and will provide significant savings to its operations. The project will greatly contribute to the county and state’s 2045 renewable energy targets. And the market’s prominent location in downtown Hilo will provide a vivid example to the island’s worldwide visitors.

Mattie Mae Larson, owner of Upcycle Hawaiʻi LLC began upcycling materials as a youngster making gifts for her parents and friends. As she entered adulthood Mattie Mae’s concern for the environment and what everyone could do with our trash grew. Working with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Mattie Mae began participating in large beach and coastline clean ups. The question was, what to do with the tons of debris. In 2014 Mattie Mae began to make items for sale in farmers markets and events across Hawaiʻi Island. Her products (hand bags, small pouches, bookmarks, keyrings, night-lights and a wide variety of personal and household accessories) attracted the interest of small retailers.

Over the first three 3 years in business Mattie Mae began to sell to various gift shops on Hawaiʻi island and is now beginning to expand to Maui and Oʻahu. The website, upcyclehi.com was born. Internet sales began. And in 2018 Mattie Mae’s Upcycle Hawaiʻi took off. With the help of a friend her products were displayed at the Made in Hawaiʻi Expo on Oʻahu. The Maui Wailea Resort liked what they saw and contracted with Mattie Mae to design and produce co-branded zipper pouches. Mattie Mae entered the HIPlan Business Competition and made it to the finals. She was hosted on Adventures in Small Business (a You Tube station) and is receiving orders for more co-branding jobs. 2018 was a transformation year propelling Upcycle Hawaiʻi to be a world known business.

Mattie Mae’s ride is taking her to new levels, and she incorporated (opening her LLC) in late 2018. 2019 is scheduled to be a great year where Mattie Mae plans on expanding her production facility to include new employees and new production equipment. Products and customer relationships providing the best return have been identified, helping the business focus on what produces the best revenue streams while saving the environment. In addition to her new growth, Mattie Mae will be attending the next Made In Hawaiʻi Expo and looks forward to establishing new relationships.

The East Hawaiʻi SBDC has been working with Mattie Mae for a year and helped her compete in the HIPlan Business Plan competition. Developing her plan and presenting it to the world is guiding her to be systematic and conscious about her business decisions and keeping her goals and aspirations on track. Mattie Mae has a 5-year plan and is on target to achieving all her goals.

Mattie Mae is a success both professionally and as an individual turning our trash in to her cash.

Cupcakes, BOOM! started in a certified kitchen as Nikki Savella worked toward her dream of having a bakery and being a “stay at home mom”. Word spread of her ingenious flavor combinations and unique cake designs. In 2014 Nikki secured a lease in a shopping center, opened her successful bakery a year later and sales and community support continue to increase.

Nikki juggles the life of mom and entrepreneur, redesigning the shop’s interior, revamping desserts offered, as well as attending as many of her kids’ events as possible. Nikki prides herself on offering quality desserts with exceptional customer service through her team of workers.

Born and raised in Hilo, Nikki considers her best customers to be much like herself. Her target market is women who want Pinterest-worthy desserts made locally for special occasions and Cupcakes, BOOM! provides distinctive flavors and celebration-worthy desserts. Nikki has diversified into custom cakes, truffles, macaroons, cookies and an ever-changing variety of special goodies, but by keeping clear priorities of God, family, and community, Nikki fulfills her dream of supporting the community that raised her. Each week Cupcakes, BOOM! delivers cupcakes to a random local business to spread cheer, gives goodies to homeless feeding sites and contributes to fundraisers.

The bakery is a team effort as Nikki, like every parent, is in continual pursuit of work/home/life balance. Cupcakes, BOOM! has a clear message that is positive, and promotes family and faith. Nikki is bubbly and compassionate. She inspires others to believe that they can accomplish their dreams too, if they are willing to work hard. “SBDC has been an vital resource from the beginning of taking my baking business from home to storefront in under two years. They are still involved in the success of running a profitable, sustainable business.”

Emily and Yoric Taaroa are passionate about providing the community with wholesome, local, fresh food. They realized there was market for locally raised poultry in Hawaʻi, so in May 2013 they started their family farm to offer an alternative to factory farmed chicken and fill the restaurant demand for locally sourced ingredients. Punachicks Farm began on 5.5 acres of leased land and recently moved to 25 acres purchased in Kurtistown in order to expand their operation and build a new processing building.

Their Cornish Cross chicks are hatched in Oahu and shipped to Hilo. After time in the brooder, chickens are raised in floorless pens moved daily to provide grass, bugs, fresh air and sunshine, along with organic feed. They avoid use of chemicals on their pastures and in chicken production, so customers can trust they are getting clean food.

Chickens are slaughtered, and hand processed on the farm under a USDA on-farm processing exemption, enabling direct sales to customers and wholesale. Their chickens can be found across 4 of the Hawaiian Islands and customers can visit the farm and see how their food is raised.

Emily was born and raised here and studied agriculture at UH Hilo. She is passionate about healthy food and sustainable agriculture. Yoric, who moved to Hawaiʻi from Tahiti in 2003, worked construction, built their family home in Mt. View and is in charge of daily operations. Emily does the sales and marketing and whatever else. Punachicks Farm expresses the Taaroa’s experiences and passions. They are sure that once you taste farm-fresh chicken, you will not go back!

Emily met with Hawaiʻi SBDC as Punachicks started, has attended several Hawaiʻi SBDC workshops and continues to receive occasional business counsel.

Extreme Exposure LLC, an eye-popping gallery in Hilo, features Hawaiʻi’s lava, volcano, seascape and landscape photographs, specializing in fine art, portrait, commercial and sports photography of the Big Island. Owners, Bruce and Sheryl Omori, welcome people to their gallery to enjoy the wonder and beauty of this tropical paradise, the same surroundings that have captivated their ʻohana for generations. Bruce is a long-time photographer whose passion is to capture the essence and spirit of Hawaiʻi Island in every image he shoots, whether it is explosive volcanic action or soothing seascape. Sheryl runs the gallery, so is likely to be the one greeting customers, shipping orders, maintaining records and taking care of the many duties of keeping the business growing and going.

In 2010 Bruce, Sheryl and a partner decided to open a gallery. The gallery, extremely attractive and a popular stop, is now well established, selling onsite, online and in others’ galleries. In 2017, their partner chose to go his own way, and Bruce and Sheryl returned to SBDC to plan out an equitable split with the partner and the next steps for their business.

“The assistance SBDC has given us over the years has been invaluable. Going for our first business loan seemed like a daunting endeavor but the guidance of SBDC made the task less stressful and we secured the loan. Seven years later, what could have been very complicated, was not, because of the knowledge and feedback of Judi Mellon. Her business experience helped make a smooth buy out possible.”

Bruce’s photos of the volcano on social media and other networks captivate many and keep islanders and visitors informed of the current state of the lava flow.

Poke Market LLC, a poke bowl and roll concept, serves as the culinary expression of Chef Ernie Gray’s collective professional experiences and travel. The establishment differentiates itself from local offerings by serving elevated poke bowls (think de-constructed sushi in a bowl), as well as unique menu items such as the burrito poke and sushi cakes. During a four-month market test at the Hilo Farmer’s Market kitchen, Poke Market earned $25,000 in gross revenue while open only 2 days a week.

Chef Ernie Gray is an award winning, classically-trained chef who attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He has over 17 years of experience working in professional kitchens from Hawaiʻi to New York including well-established local eateries such as: Nobu, New York, California Rockin Sushi, Uncles, Gyotaku, Sushi San, Rakuen and Sansei in Honolulu.

Based on the growing popularity of the poke trend in Hawaiʻi as well as in the Continental U.S. and abroad, the positive public response to Chef Gray’s unique flavor profiles, and with the help of his business partner, Mariah Williams, AINS, CIIP, CPRIA, an experienced front of house, restaurant management, and insurance professional, they recently opened a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Hilo. Poke Market targets a diverse mix of individuals in the Hilo community with their cold, pre-prepared food; drawing both the moderate individual looking for a healthy meal as well as the discriminate local-foodie or tourist accustomed to a refined, culinary point of view.

Poke Market is quickly growing and expanding its presence through targeted marketing of its catering capabilities with special order sushi cakes and participation at special events to continuously brand their products. With help from the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center and a lot of hard work from the owners, the sky is the limit for Poke Market!

In the five years since Dawn Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder took over her Aunty’s small fruit butter company, Liko Lehua, she has grown it into a thriving business of nearly 40 employees. Liko Lehua now manufactures and distributes gourmet fruit butter in six tropical flavors (lilikoi, guava, pineapple, Tahitian lime, and vanilla) to wholesale accounts across Hawaiʻi, the U.S., and Japan. Products are also retailed online, in stores, and at local craft fairs and events.

In late 2012, Dawn opened Liko Lehua Cafe® in a small 850 square foot building in upper Hilo. For the last four years, the cafe® has served as the production facility for Liko Lehua Butter as well as a small, take-out Hawaiian food, burger, and pasta restaurant. Catering orders are taken and fulfilled out of the Kaumana facility as well. Liko Lehua Cafe® has about 5 parking stalls and 2 small tables and the phone rings all day long.

In 2016, Dawn achieved her lifelong goal of opening a full service contemporary restaurant and bar. After searching for months and looking at numerous locations, Dawn found the perfect 4,300 square foot facility overlooking Hilo Bay. Dawn and her husband Matt worked tirelessly to transform the space from a dark, dingy bar into the vibrant, family-friendly restaurant that it is today. Liko Lehua at Pauahi has exceeded all projections and expectations so far, tripling the company’s sales over last year.

Dawn has worked closely with the Hawaiʻi SBDC throughout her entire journey to strategically prepare for and manage Liko Lehua’s growth. From recipe costing to developing and revising business plans and financial projections to discussing leases, locations, and financing options. With the help of the Hawaiʻi SBDC, Liko Lehua finally secured their first business loan and line of credit in 2016. In the coming year, they plan to upgrade equipment, automate manufacturing, and focus on increasing export sales to Japan.

Ke Ola Magazine is for those who love life on Hawaiʻi (aka Big) Island. This eye-catching publication shares inspirational stories about the land, culture, people and sustainable living.

Ke Ola was created by Barbara Garcia at the end of 2008, in the midst of economic uncertainty. Barbara felt a need to help small businesses reach people who live here, in addition to all the other publications that reached visitors. Barbara has been a small business advocate since she started her first marketing business in California in 1986 and had worked for several local publications in advertising sales.

Ke Ola is distributed free on Hawaiʻi Island and by subscription everywhere else. Many island residents look forward to sitting down with their bi-monthly copy Ke Ola to enjoy the beautiful art, learn more about the island, read an article about their neighbors, the history or uniqueness of the place, the multiple cultures that enrich our lives or how to better live with the ecology of Hawaiʻi Island.

Barbara began meeting with Judi Mellon of SBDC, East Hawaiʻi in 2015 to discuss how to grow and make the ownership of Ke Ola more satisfying. Barbara’s goal has always been to enable others to share their talents for the benefit of community members. Ke Ola works with resident writers, artists, and a local graphic designer to keep money here, as well as to help local businesses flourish and spread their message to residents. “Working with Judi at SBDC has helped me expand my business, evaluate financial viability, gain perspective on how my leadership and vision can better serve others and be most satisfying to me. Ke Ola has never been about making lots of money, it is about enriching lives, supporting others and doing something I love.”

David Reed’s parents began a small commercial printing and book publishing company at Petroglyph Press in 1962. Already the largest map dealer on the Big Island, in 1974, David and his wife, Christine, expanded the business to include stationery, then books and gifts. In 1985, the Reeds opened a new retail store, Basically Books, at a separate location. Through the economic ups and downs, vast changes to the printing industry and the demise of most local bookstores, the Reeds have continued to adapt and operate both businesses. Petroglyph Press lives on as a book publisher. Basically Books largely specializes in Hawaiian themed merchandise with a wide selection of Hawaiiana literature, music, memorabilia and gifts. Today Basically Books and Petroglyph Press remain an iconic part of the downtown Hilo community.

Petroglyph Press DBA Basically Books has had a long relationship with East Hawaiʻi SBDC, having worked through a number of business issues with SBDC advisors over the years. In 1997, when they had the opportunity to move both retail businesses to the present location they sought SBDC assistance to research and write a business plan to obtain financing. Over the years SBDC advisors helped the Reeds to renegotiate the lease and with other financial matters. Most recently they worked with Judi Mellon, SBDC Advisor, on future planning and a retirement strategy from the retail side of the business. The resilience of this family-run business has made it a mainstay in downtown Hilo, a contributor to the Hilo community and provided for their family.

“The SBDC’s services are indispensable for small business owners who must invest themselves totally in keeping their business alive. Having extra help and perspective has allowed us to make more informed decisions and better navigate the waters of a changing economy, industries and society.” – Christine Reed

Aloha Pawz, a unique boutique for dogs, cats and petpassionate people, provides quality pet supplies in Hilo.

Owner, Paulla Speegle, welcomes pets and people who love them into their fun, destination store with nothing but lots of Aloha. The Aloha Pawz staff enjoys getting to know them and offers food, treats, toys, and other products to keep fluffy family members healthy and happy.

From conception Paulla aimed for Aloha Pawz to enhance the community by hosting events, providing local information for pet owners, and supporting local animal care shelters. Aloha Pawz offers Pet Adoption Days, hosts various free dog training seminars and collaborates with pet rescue organizations. Aloha Pawz advocates for pets who reciprocate with love and loyalty to their fleshy, flabby-faced humans.

Paulla and her husband, Kris, worked with SBDC when they opened an Allstate Insurance Agency in 2013. Paulla previously worked at Whole Foods Market where she gained health food knowledge, retail and leadership training.

In 2014 Paulla came back to SBDC with her Aloha Pawz business plan. “SBDC helped me jump start my business plan, so I had clear goals for opening and for obtaining an SBA loan. It was incredibly helpful to have Judi Mellon (SBDC advisor) assist me in preparing my financial statements. Judi and Lydia (Santiago) are encouraging and gave me the confidence to move forward and open Aloha Pawz. They are connected in the community and guided me as I needed it.”

The Locavore Store is a food hub, an emerging style of business focusing on the centralized collection and distribution of locally-produced food from small and medium-sized farms. All products have been grown and made in Hawaiʻi, most on Hawaiʻi Island. Locavore is supplying locally grown food and income to local people. Locavore is also a retail incubator for start-ups to test their products, sometimes the only venue carrying these new items.

Locavore started in the Puna District, the most economically-challenged area of Hawaiʻi Island, and has grown from representing 7 small, family farms to over 200 vendors. Sales have grown from $12,000 in 2010 to $250,000 in 2015, all despite Tropical Storm Iselle and a relocation to Hilo due to Puna’s recent lava flow. Catarina Zaragoza and her husband, Arthur Dodge, have worked in the business from the start, and have one part-time employee. Keys to Locavoreʻs growth have been thoughtful and deliberate development, visually appealing displays and meticulous record keeping. Slow and steady has been Locavoreʻs motto since the beginning. The balance of supply and demand is delicate and Locavore relies on word of mouth for new customers.

Arthur’s eye for graphic design, their attention to cleanliness and top quality products ensures the store is attractive. Catarina keeps extensive records of sales, goods received, and money owed to vendors. Consistency and perseverance have led to growth and a strong reputation. Their resilience has paid off. Catarina said “SBDC has helped with initial filings and referred us to other professionals. Judi Mellon’s experience and broad perspective regarding accounting practices, prioritization, marketing, demographics and more have been invaluable. The friendliness and availability of the SBDC reassures us there are people on our side who can and will help us to succeed.”

Sam and his family have over 25 years of experience working and running restaurants with great food. They saw an opportunity to open a food establishment that serves gourmet food at an affordable price in the Prince Kuhio Plaza Shopping Mall in Hilo. However, in order to open they needed financing. After being mistreated and rejected from one bank, they decided to approach the Hawaiʻi SBDC Network (SBDC) for guidance and assistance.

Here, the SBDC counselor assisted Sam in writing his business plan and thoroughly discussing start-up and operational issues. Establishing and analyzing financial projections were a heavy focus during meetings as restaurants have a reputation of being “high risk” ventures from the perspective of lending institutions.

After months of working with the SBDC on the plan and financing strategy, Sam approached Hawaiʻi National Bank and was awarded $85,000 for the establishment of his restaurant, Sunlight Express. The business is thriving, and after finally opening its doors in October, it is becoming one of the most popular food establishments in the entire Prince Kuhio Plaza.

New growth opportunities are in the works as catering and delivery services are being planned for the near future.

Ian Hatch, owner and manager of A.S. Designs & Services, has provided web design services to businesses throughout Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Mainland for over 10 years. Professionally trained in graphic design, graphic arts, multimedia and web development, Ian began his business as a sole proprietor in 2002. Since then he has bootstrapped and grown his company into a full-service design, web development and Internet marketing firm with 3 employees.

After growing organically through word of mouth referrals for the past decade, Ian decided it was time to expand his sales and advertising efforts by leveraging outside investment. He approached the Hawaiʻi SBDC for help in developing a business plan for his expansion strategy, which enabled him to secure $50,000 from a local bank.

A.S. Designs & Services has continuously grown and overcome the challenges of the web design industry by being attentive to market shifts, technological advancements, and design trends. As principal of the company, Ian is attuned to market changes and has observed the recent growth in overall and ongoing brand creation as opposed to contracted web development work. As a result of this trend, A.S. Designs impresses on its clients the importance of establishing a quality brand coupled with an effective web presence.

A.S. Designs will utilize its expansion funding to bring on another employee who will assist the company in growing its client base as it continues to serve not only small businesses but also medium size firms and larger enterprises across a wide range of industries. Current customers include restaurants, service businesses, manufacturers and nonprofits, all of whom benefit from having multiple professionals with 20+ years of combined experience and varied expertise working together to craft a unique brand identity for their companies.

Jessica Cruzan had a dream: To make a living being creative and provide jobs in Hilo. Jessica has been an artisan for many years, designing and hand sewing a variety of items. One of her many jobs was stitching high-end bags at a leather studio in New Mexico. Much to her chagrin, a short time after moving to Hilo, her beautiful leather had mildewed.

Jessica tried a number of fabrics before she found a new type of cork fabric – gorgeous, durable, anti-microbial, and sustainable. Cork is the only tree whose bark can regenerate itself after each harvest, leaving the tree unharmed. By combining cork fabric with outdoor quality canvas Jessica makes wallets, clutches, handbags, bucket bags, totes and luggage from her little studio in Hilo under the SewDaKine label.

In 2015, Jessica launched an online crowdfunding campaign to raise awareness of her business and enough money to purchase a large quantity of cork fabric and hardware. Jessica is busy now, along with another seamstress and assistant, making bags which are sold throughout the islands. SewDaKine does piece work for other designers as well. East Hawaiʻi SBDC has worked with Jessica to formalize her accounting, broaden her marketing and plan for more growth, as SewDaKine’s sales have significantly increased.

“I’m an artist, good at conceptualizing and creating a product. SBDC has helped by teaching me how to run my business. They’ve help me develop the skills I lack and referred me to other professionals who can help. With SBDC’s guidance my work has grown to a full-time business with an assistant and a part-time seamstress. This year I plan to expand sales beyond Hawaiʻi and hire two more workers. This growth wouldn’t have been possible without the help of SBDC!”

Mermade Spa, owned by Iris Markham, had been in business for five years when she sought the help of the Hawaiʻi SBDC Network (SBDC). Her location was small and lacked accessibility by her clients. Iris wanted to expand both her space for products and her services. With the SBDC’s help she wrote a business plan that won her a $20K loan from her credit union.

Once Iris found her new space she was ready to open in just three weeks. The location is inside a children’s and women’s apparel store, which provides her accessibility along with security and more room. Also the space is more visible and she is getting more business as a result. Iris also stepped up her Internet presence and is getting more word of mouth referrals. She has found that her cash flow is improving and that she is now able to pay herself a reasonable salary.

The new space not only offers more area for services, but gives Iris more space to display products and has a full sized bath tub for luxury baths. She uses primarily essential oils for facials, scrubs, and full body waxing. The Mermade Spa uses Ola Hawaiian Body Products, made right in Hilo.

The main product Iris uses is essential oils to aid breathing, alleviate headaches and flu symptoms, skin conditions, and for emotional baths, such as relaxation. These essential oils are even used to make tea for drinking.