Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 9, 1 September 2011 — Kauaʻi native turns a longtime dream into business reality [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kauaʻi native turns a longtime dream into business reality

By Cheryl Corbiell Entrepreneurial spirit inspires individuals to live their dreams, and Native Hawaiian businesswoman Malia Sanchez embodies the spirit of trusting her intuition, using resources creatively and recognizing opportunities. Sanchez planned and worked for 15 years before living her dream of starting a Hawaiian culture-based estheticians' school for individuals seeking employment in Hawai'i's spa industry. Estheticians are licensed skincare professionals who provide services such as facials, make up application, and hair removal to improve an individual's physical appearance. Sanchez was born into a family of entrepreneurs on Kaua'i. She practically grew up in her aunty and mother's beauty salon. "As soon as I could walk and talk, I answered phones, made appointments and cleaned up," said Sanchez. In the evening,

her father, a construction contractor, explained the concepts of profit and loss during their father-daughter talks. "He told me no one owes me anything, except myself. His sage advice was meant to empower me as a young Hawaiian girl," said

Sanchez. Sanchez finished high school and moved to the Big Island to pursue a marketing degree, but her passion for esthetics remained. She moved to O'ahu and enrolled in the only beauty and cosmetology school in Hawai'i. "I got licensed in everything facial and even traveled to the mainland for special courses, whieh were outrageously expensive," says Sanchez, who has worked in the beauty field since 1992. Sanchez gradually recognized a connection between her culture and her career. As a licensed

cosmetologist working on O'ahu, she began incorporating Hawaiian cultural values and techniques into her clients' heahh and wellness regime and shared her knowledge of Hawai'i. Sanchez's dream of starting her own business simmered for more than a decade while she married, started a family and earned a living. Finally, Sanchez listened to her intuition: she would harness the opportunity to provide estheticians with training in Hawaiian cultural values for Hawai'i's growing spa industry. Despite a busy work and family schedule, she composed a business plan, crafted a curriculum, scoured Honolulu for a facility, rallied assistance from her extended 'ohana and made an appointment with First Hawaiian Bank. After a six-month bank-sponsored class, Sanchez's loan was approved. In January 2007 Sanchez heeame the Owner and Principal Director of Education of Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy in Honolulu. The next step was a loan request for equipment and inventory. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, through its Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, had partnered with First Hawaiian Bank to provide the OHA Mālama Loan for Native Hawaiian consumers and businesses. Sanchez applied and was approved for $25,000. "OHA showed their trust in me, and I worked weekends and nights to make sure I didn't break their trust," she said. Sanchez has recently repaid the OHA Mālama Loan, and she feels content that the money she repaid into the revolving loan fund ean now go to helping another Hawaiian entrepreneur. Sanchez's business, whieh also provides luxury spa services, is thriving in a tough economy. "Starting this business is a gift, and it is only right that I give back to the community that embraced me," she said. Squeezing time out of a busy day, Sanchez volunteers with young women being released from a youth corrections facility. She talks story with the young women about first impressions and appropriate choices and then she provides them a new look for their new lives. Makana Academy offers payment plans for students who can't afford the full tuition. And classes are capped at 10 students to ensure a low teacher-to-student ratio. Sanchez's experience and ties within the esthetics industry gives the students the knowledge and exposure they need to start their own careers. "The school offers a ehanee for loeal people to change their lives and earn from $35 to $45 per hour. After graduating, our students ean get great jobs," says Sanchez. ■ Cheryī Corbiell is an Instructor at the University of Hawai'i Maui College-Moloka'i and a reading tutor at Kaunakakai Elementary School.

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Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy offers luxury spa services and vocational training for aspiring estheticians. - Photos: Courtesy of Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy

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