We recently connected with Jordy Houglum and have shared our conversation below.

Jordy , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My business started off in 2020, during the pandemic in Maui Hawaii. I started sewing to relieve boredom indoors, and it became a hobby that I became to love! Turning my sewing hobby into a business for my high school senior project at Maui Preparatory Academy! When I graduated I decided to take my business a step further, I moved to South Florida to continue my business as a full time job. I spend my weekdays sewing, and my weekend popping up at local markets!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’ve always been very creative and into fashion. I wanted to go to fashion school but the whole industry is very competitive and expensive. My whole family are entrepreneurs so I’ve grown up around doing what you love and making it into a business. I decided to learn on YouTube to sew simple bags because I wanted to sell something that almost anyone could by for themselves or as a gift. I have always taken my work seriously, the most important skill to owning your business is discipline.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started building my audience on social media by trying to show up to as many markets I could possibly get into. I noticed the dramatic differences of showing up physically to these markets and telling these customers my story and how pursued my business at 19 years old. This created a more personal connection with my clients. Rather than just reading my story on my website.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What builded my reputation, was that I was sewing these bags. Majority of people don’t know how to sew and think it’s an old fashion craft. I always say my bags are made with aloha, which means love in Hawaiian. Which they are, I absolutely love using my creativity on my bags.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Puka-maui.com
• Instagram: Puka.Maui
• Facebook: Pukamaui
• Other: Esty – pukamauibags