Hawaii

Innovation & Investment

Born During COVID, Koko Kai Foods, LLC Supports Local Farmers with Innovative Coconut-Based Yogurt

company overview

Koko Kai Foods, LLC

Honolulu, Hawaii

1st Congressional district of Hawaii

Challenge

Koko Kai Yogurt was born from the idea and inspiration of its founders, Aline Steiner, and Jon Roach, to develop a high-quality, European-style, gut-friendly, dairy-free, plant-based yogurt without all the fillers, gums, starches, and sugars present in most yogurts in the United States. As the world was shutting down due to COVID-19 in March of 2020, Aline's successful private chef business stopped, and Jon's web development projects also slowed down. They decided it was time to put their passion and skills to good use, and they have been working diligently since then to bring their inspiration back to the islands. After numerous recipe tests and adjustments, they created an innovative, high-quality, probiotic coconut-based yogurt.

"Very grateful to the Hawaii SBDC for pointing me in the right direction and providing all your gracious assistance. Thank you kindly."

Aline Steiner

Founder and Owner of Koko Kai Foods, LLC

Solution

Aline connected with the Hawaii SBDC Oahu Center, which provided market research and industry intelligence for use in business development. Her HISBDC advisors also worked with her to evaluate and improve their financial statements, growth projections, and cash flow forecast. Like many startups, Aline found obtaining initial funding from banks challenging, so her HISBDC advisors suggested alternative funding sources. In addition, the landlord gave notice to sell their location, and they had three months to relocate to a new facility. The HISBDC advisors suggested different areas to consider for the new manufacturing facility.

3,693

Since 2021 the number of customer-returned jars which are washed, sanitized, and reused.

ResultS

As a result of the assistance provided by the HISBDC Oahu Center, Koko Kai Yogurt applied for and received loans from alternative lenders to fund their expansion by moving to a new location with more production and cold storage space, and the purchase of new equipment. This access to capital has enabled the owners to expand the business through the development of new products and new markets. Koko Kai Yogurt is available throughout the state of Hawaii at significant food markets, such as Foodland, Safeway, and Whole Foods, health food stores, gourmet cafes, and Hickam Air Force Base Commissary. It is also available in California, where there is growing demand.

Speciality Area of Service

Nina Hamid Acupuncture: Improving Community Health, One Patient at a Time

company overview

Nina Hamid Acupuncture

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

1st Congressional district of Hawaii

Challenge

As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with years of experience in healthcare, Nina did not know how to start and grow a medical practice. She had many questions regarding taxes, the sharing of clinic spaces, and, importantly, how to know when she was ready to set up her independent practice in her own clinic location. She also wanted to change her business name and understand the ramifications of that decision.

"The HISBDC has helped me in so many ways! I knew nothing about accounting, finances, or tax, let alone how to run a business. I am most appreciative."

Dr. Nina Hamid

Founder and Owner of Nina Hamid Acupuncture

Solution

Nina used the HISBDC to answer these questions and more. Her advisor analyzed information from the IRS to help her understand if she was required to pay estimated federal and state taxes. Her advisor assisted with setting up her General Excise Tax (GET) account, making the first payment, and obtaining an EIN number. During this process, Nina realized that her mainland CPA was unfamiliar with GET. Her HISBDC advisor provided referrals, and Nina is delighted with the competency of her new local CPA.

Her advisor also assisted with addressing a business name change challenge by using a DBA, and helped with the decision to start an independent practice in a new location.

ResultS

When she moved to Kailua-Kona, Nina was excited to share her knowledge and abilities with her new community. She pushed through quite a few barriers and learned along the way how to manage and grow her business. She started small, in a shared space, working a few days a week. As her practice has grown, she has been able to move into her own office. Nina is now working full-time, doing what she loves most. She commented that she is most proud of being fully booked, which she considers as the most excellent compliment she could receive from her community about the services she provides.

New Business

You Had Me at Meow

company overview

Cat Café Maui

Kahului, Hawaii

2nd Congressional district of Hawaii

Challenge

The biggest challenge was moving from concept to reality and pulling the pieces together: locating a space, securing permits and inspections, projecting revenue, and understanding market research and budgeting. The project was a team effort of Moriah Diamond and Sam Shnider. Moriah's been an entrepreneur and had her own photography business, but this was a more significant endeavor than either of them had ever taken on, with more funds involved, thinking, planning, and conceptualization than anything they had ever pulled together. Once a space was leased, Moriah took over the creative design and improvements of the facility and shaped it to her vision with assistance from a wide range of local talent.

"One of the best cat cafes I've seen."

Jackson Galaxy, aka "Cat Daddy"

Animal Planet Television Host

Solution

HISBDC provided invaluable assistance during this last year with the creation of both the non-profit and profit business plans, as well as start-up resources, and financial planning. HISBDC worked with the client to create organizational structures aligning with the mission. HISBDC assisted with the creation of necessary IRS forms and requirements and suggested organization procedures, internal controls, and leadership concepts. HISBDC assisted with cash flow forecasting and decision methodologies for the intended capital investment.

12,500

Since the Cat Café Maui opened just over a year ago, more than 12,500 visits have been logged and over 440 cats have found "furever" homes.

ResultS

Cat Café Maui is a fun, warm, and inviting space where people come to play, relax with cats, and maybe fall in love with the next cat in their lives. All the cats at the café are healthy and adoptable cats, brought to the café through a partnership with Maui Humane Society and Maui Cat Rescue. Cat Café Maui is a unique opportunity to help cats and make people smile. Many people come for all sorts of reasons: the excitement of meeting the playful family of cats, the break from the day's stress, or the good energy. There is no pressure on visitors to adopt, but people find cats they love about four or five times a week and decide to adopt. Follow #catcafemauiadoption

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