Leslie Malulani Shizue Miki, owner of Abundant Life Natural Foods (ALNF) in Hilo, will represent the business women of the County of Hawai’i on Sept. 22, 2017, as a member of a special American Business Women’s Day conference on Maui.
American Business Women’s Day is a nationally recognized day set aside to honor and reflect on the contributions of the millions of women business owners and working women in the U.S.
The conference is scheduled on American Business Women’s Day, which celebrates the 1949 founding date of the American Business Women’s Association and commemorates the accomplishments of more than 68 million working women across the country.
“I was surprised with this invitation, as there are so many wonderful business women in Hawai’i,” said Miki. “I did have to ask how I was found and why choose me. It is exciting that I am the type
of wonder women they were looking for! And I agree, I am a Wonder Woman in the business world, too,”
To celebrate American Business Women’s Day, Maui Business Brainstormers invited eight successful business women from Hawai‘i counties to participate at “A Women’s Place is…”
The wonder women at the panel discussion are from Maui, O‘ahu, Big Island and Kaua‘i.
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They will share what it took and still takes to move and shake the world of business locally and beyond our state of Hawai’i.
The panel also includes:
Melanie Marrero, CEO at Maui Brewing Company
Diane Haynes Woodburn, publisher of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine
Gladys Baisa, Retired Politician, current deputydirector of Water Supply – Maui
County
Judy P. Capertina, Haole Girl Island Sweets (Kaua’i)
Debbie Finkiewicz, Maui Closet Company
Susie Thieman, Executive Director of Lokahi Pacific
Mylen Fe Yamamoto, Cropsticks (O’ahu) and CliqueNow (California)
“It was a complex selection process,” said the event organizers. “The first and most important criteria is based on the guest panelist accomplishments in business and in the community, no matter how much the guest panelist is already famous in the community. Leslie Malulani Shizue Miki’s business story is impressive. Besides, Miki was born and raised in the Territory of Hawai’i.”
Miki founded ALNF in 1977 with $5,000 in seed money and with the help of her generous mother, who mortgaged own house for her business.
ALFB started with one employee, and currently with 29 employees, AFNL continues to grow.
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The renovation of the ALNF’s building started in August 2017. The store will gain 6,000 square feet of space to reach total of 10,000 square feet.
The store went from no parking area to more than 30 dedicated spots for ALNF customers.
Prior founding ALNF, Miki was a professional dancer and taught Polynesian dance at Cal State University. Miki also performs live theater. She joined the Halau o Kekuhi and started a herb company in 1975.
“Women have been always disruptive, trailblazing, inspiring innovators and role models,” said RJK LLC owner and CPA Richard Kehoe. “RJK LLC would not miss this unique opportunity to show its appreciation for the women who make the journey upward to reach new heights, and toward positions of power and influence that can fulfill our world with better opportunities in business and in life.”
Supporters of “A Women Place Is…” include RJK LLC, Hawaii Technology Development
Corporation, LightSea Images LLC, Skywriting by Nico LLC, County of Maui, County of Hawai’i,
Maui Economic Opportunity, Maui Native Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, King Kamehameha Golf
Club and all the six offices of Small Business Development Center in the State of Hawai‘i.
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The public is invited to attend a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the King
Kamehameha Golf Course on Maui.
The event was organized by Maui Business Brainstormers (MBB), a nonprofit volunteer organization, building its reputation by providing business educational events and opportunities at no cost and with
no sales pitches. Speakers donate their time and knowledge freely.
Abundant Life Natural Foods is located at 292 Kamehameha Ave.
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Leslie Malulani Shizue Miki, owner of Abundant Life Natural Foods (ALNF) in Hilo, will represent the business women of the County of Hawai’i on Sept. 22, 2017, as a member of a special American Business Women’s Day conference on Maui.
