We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shauna Kahiapo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shauna below.

Shauna, appreciate you joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

Everyone wants to talk about success, but my most meaningful lessons were learned in failure.

Fifteen years ago I emptied my savings to open a small boutique shop in a mall. I did zero market research, knew nothing about my industry, and did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to accomplish with my business. Worst of all, I was not willing to sacrifice and work hard. I naively thought success would walk through my shop’s door just because I had opened it. Two years later I declared bankruptcy and I nearly lost my home.

The lowest point for me was sitting on a sidewalk with my 3 year old son and his carseat because my car had been repossessed.

I promised myself that day that I would do whatever it took to become a successful business owner.

I became relentless in my pursuit of knowledge. I devoured podcasts and books from successful business owners. I learned to love discipline and sacrifice. I went to law school, passed the bar exam and started a solo law practice.

COVID hit my law firm hard, and I decided to open another shop. Drawing from my past failures, I started an online e-commerce business from my dad’s garage. I created quality, attractive products at a good price. Every detail was thoughtfully executed rather than a haphazard afterthought.

Within one year I had outgrown my dad’s garage and made $1.2M in sales. Four years later, my business is thriving and allows me the freedom and income to travel with my husband and our four children.

I still make mistakes and experience failure; that will never change. I look for the lessons to be learned and try not to repeat them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

One of my college art teachers told me that I would never have a future as a professional artist. Although I loved to create art with my hands, I lacked natural talent to draw or paint, and I knew it.

My counselor also steered me away from a creative path. The smart (safe!) path was in business and law. So I pursued a career in real estate and law. At 36 years old I had a successful real estate law practice.

I also had depression, mom guilt, health issues and intense anxiety.

COVID hit my firm hard, and I was forced to find a new way to support my ‘ohana (family). I decided to open an e-commerce shop selling a particular type of Hawaiian pāpale (hat) that I wanted to buy but couldn’t find for an affordable price.

I pre-sold my entire first shipment of hats within hours, and my business Hale Pua was born.

I could work remotely, have time to spend with my keiki (children), travel, and do simple things that brought me joy. I remembered my simple childhood pleasure of doing paint by numbers.

I looked for paint kits that I would be proud to hang on my walls, but couldn’t find any. So I made them. Tropical flowers, lei, native Hawaiian birds and plants.

They were an instant seller. Turns out I am not the only non-talented artist girly who needs a little guidance and some pre-mixed paints.

My old college now orders my paint kits in bulk as a welcome activity for new students.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My startup capital was the very last $5,000 of my savings. It was August of 2019 and I had closed my law firm due to COVID closing the court I practiced in. No one was hiring lawyers.

I had one month’s of mortgage and living expenses left. I decided to design and import a particular style of Hawaiian pāpale (hat) that cost $300 to buy locally.

I paid $200 for three sample hats. Once I was happy with the weave and quality, I took pictures of myself wearing the samples (with my phone ziptied to a tree) and advertised them on Instagram and Facebook.

I pre-sold my first shipment of 500 hats within 2 days. The entire shipment was paid for before it even arrived. I also had another 6 months of living expenses from the profit I made.

It was a gamble to scrape my savings, but I am blessed to have a family that would have taken me and my keiki in if we needed it. I bet on myself and worked hard to stack the odds in my favor.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In Hawaii, the coconut wireless is a powerful thing. It can either make or break your business.

From day one, I wanted to earn a reputation as a business that provides high quality goods, at affordable price, and delivered with aloha!

Every customer interaction on social media, emails, and in person is an opportunity for me to earn an avid supporter who wants to share Hale Pua with their friends and ‘ohana (family).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hale-pua.com
• Instagram: halepuahawaii
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halepuahawaii

Image Credits

All images are owned by Hale Pua Hawaii, LLC