Big Island Sound Bites

13 Years and Counting: Nakoa Pabre of Umeke's on leadership, team development, and surviving through the years

Today we’re talking story with Nakoa Pabre, owner of Umeke’s Fish Market Bar & Grill in Kailua-Kona.  We hear from Nakoa about some of the successes and challenges throughout his 13 years in business, and how he’s been able to survive and thrive through it – a lot stems from Nakoa’s caring leadership style, commitment to team development, and creative problem-solving thinking.  We also touch base on Nakoa’s new restaurant, Smash Daddy’s, in Waikoloa Village.  Thanks for listening!

Authenticity, surrendering, and giving yourself a chance with Frank Chavez of Frankly Cuban

In this episode, we cover the highs and the lows of Frank’s first year of Frankly Cuban, his mom’s thoughts on him tweaking the family recipe, what authenticity means to him, surrendering, and so much more. If you’ve ever thought about starting a food pop-up of your own but are a bit nervous or afraid, Frank’s energy and story just might be the inspiration you need to get started.  Thanks for listening!

Big Island, Limited Resources: Growing a small business in Hawai'i with Wesley Ervin

Welcome to our first episode of Big Island Sound Bites!  To kick off the show, we’re chatting with Welsey Ervin, owner of Sundog Bread in Holualoa.  Sundog specializes in making organic sourdough bread, flaky pastries, and woodfired sourdough pizzas.  In this episode we dive into some of the challenges Wesley faces trying to grow his small business with limited resources on the Big Island of Hawai'i - finding a physical storefront, dealing with the County, and raising capital, to name just a few.  We also talk story about Wesley’s vision for the future of the bakery and how community continues to be central to everything he does at Sundog.

Big Island Sound Bites Trailer

Big Island Sound Bites is a podcast about the small businesses that feed our community here on the Big Island of Hawai'i. On this show, we'll talk story with a variety of owners from poke restaurants, to gelato shops, to cafe, delis, bakeries and more. We'll hear about what inspired them to start a restaurant or food business of their own, as well as what the journey has been like since being open - the highs and the lows, the successes and the challenges, and what motivates them to keep moving forward even on the toughest days. Thanks for listening!