Our stories are often hard to understand until folks understand our true motivations, our true drivers and the stories behind why our mission or purpose truly matters to us. We’ve asked some inspiring folks from the community to talk to us about why they do what they do and have shared some of our favorite responses below.

Joanna Matanga

I love doing business with my family members. I think it requires compartmentalization because it can be easy to get your feelings involved because you’re family. However, being family is also the best part of the operation. Working with those closest to me has brought out the best in me knowing we believe the best about one another. Read more>>

Mykell Rushton

I believe in family businesses, they leave your family with a legacy and help shape the minds and character of the children. For example my family had a hair salon and i use to be the receptionist it didn’t last long but it taught me to keep a good schedule, be polite and helpful, how to answer the phones, being organized and clean. The task that had working there help mold me and take those tools into my everyday life, that i can share with my future kids and nieces and nephews. Read more>>

Julie Olberding

We started farming and our small business to teach our kids the values of independence, hard work, self reliance, perseverance and creative thinking. We consider ourselves to be first generation farmers as neither one of us were raised on farms. Our children were 8 and 10 when we bought our farmland. They are also first generation farmers. We are all learning at the same time as we work together to raise specialty crops. Read more>>

Tammy Fitzpatrick

After spending many years moving across the country in corporate positions, my husband and I decided we were ready for a different kind of opportunity. We were very intentional about finding a company that would align with our values and the Island Fin Poke Co focus on family values was a huge plus for us. While our oldest son is currently serving in the military, our three younger children are actively working in the restaurant. We enjoy working side by side and spending quality time together while our children are learning amazing business operations and life skills that will help them in whatever they choose to do in the future. Read more>>

Laura & Glen Keith

What works well for our business is that we work well as a team to get everything done. Glen is very hands on with the business, training staff, working there, maintaining inventory, and ensuring our policies and procedures are being followed. Laura does the work on the back end such as social media marketing, taxes, scheduling, payroll ect. It is nice for us to be able to work together and help each other to make sure everything necessary is done. Our children right now are little, but they always talk about wanting to work with us when they grow up. Read more>>