How do I own and operate two thriving hospitality businesses in Hawaii while living in Miami?
The answer is simple: people.
I often hear business owners say they can’t step away because they don’t have the right employees. My perspective has always been a little different. Most of the time, the limitation isn’t the employee, it’s the leader. Building a great company requires developing the ability to identify talent, recruit great people, create opportunities for them to grow, and then trust them enough to perform.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It takes years of learning, making mistakes, and refining your approach. One of the most valuable lessons I learned early in my entrepreneurial journey is that if you treat great people well, invest in their development, appreciate them, and genuinely care about their success, they will often accomplish far more than you ever imagined and stick around for the long haul.
Today, I’d like to introduce a few of the incredible people who make everything we do in Hawaii possible. We were all working a wedding together last night, and I actually left after only two hours of an eight hour event because my A Team simply didn’t need me.
Valerie Mendoza (second from right in first photo) is our General Manager. At just 30 years old, she is the youngest hotel and resort general manager in Hawaii, and I would not trade her for anyone. Valerie combines intelligence, leadership, work ethic, and heart in a way that is rare. Her growth continues to impress me year after year.
A quick classic Val story from yesterday. As I was arriving at the wedding, I noticed a massive tree branch hanging out into the road leading to our driveway from the storm. It was not low enough to completely block my car, but it definitely needed attention so so it would not manage other arriving cars. I stopped to take a picture so I could send it to our landscaper, who would not be available until Tuesday, then proceeded to gently drive around it as the branches scraped the top of my rental car. 
About twenty minutes later, I noticed water all over Val’s sunglasses upon her arrival to start work, which seemed odd, so I asked her what she had been doing. She told me there was a huge branch blocking the driveway, so she jumped out of her truck, grabbed a machete out of the back (yes, she travels with the machete), cut it down herself, and cleared it out of the road. While she was doing it, a landscaper working at a neighboring property came over and said, “Oh, I was going to get to that.”
Val just smiled and replied, “It’s done.”
That’s Val in a nutshell.
Stacey Breining (on the right). Stacey serves as Beverage Manager for Hamakua Hotel and Property Manager for Waterfalling Estate. She is also a fierce jiu jitsu competitor, which perfectly reflects her mindset: resilient, disciplined, and never willing to quit when challenges arise. She is absolutely fantastic at both of her jobs. On top of that, she also works full time leading one of the island’s most impactful nonprofit organizations, helping clean Hawaii’s beaches while raising two children and homeschooling them.
Hope Davis is next. Hope is one of our lead mixologists, serving guests at both properties. Beyond her hospitality talents, she is also a successful entrepreneur who operates an equestrian farm. Her cheerfulness, creativity, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit are felt throughout our organization. Hope always brings a smile to everyone’s face. 
Kristen Burkhard is on the far left. Kristen manages our spa operations while also serving as one of our mixologists and massage therapists. She has a unique ability to create exceptional guest experiences, whether she’s helping someone relax and recharge in the spa or crafting a memorable evening at the bar. She is also a talented guitarist and singer. Her gentle spirit is infectious.
Valerie has been with me for six years. Stacey and Kristen have each been with me for five. Hope is our newest addition, and she’s already been part of the team for nearly three years.
Chefs Edward Delling-Williams & Joseph Martinez and my wife Lori Lochtefeld round out the team, but they were not at the event last night for this photo. You have all heard me sing their praises plenty of times. Lori leads our marketing efforts, and Joseph serves as our Executive Chef under the guidance of our Master Chef Edward.
One thing I’m especially proud of is that hospitality in Hawaii is powered by people from many different backgrounds and cultures. None of our team members were born and raised in Hawaii. Each of them made the courageous decision to leave their hometowns, families, and familiar surroundings in pursuit of opportunity and a better future. That takes tremendous courage, and I have deep respect for it.
The diversity of experiences, perspectives, and cultures within our team makes us stronger and ultimately creates a richer experience for every guest who visits us.
To Valerie, Stacey, Hope, Kristen, Joseph, Edward, Lori, and the rest of our Hawaii team: thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence make everything we do possible.
At the end of the day, buildings don’t create great companies. Brands don’t create great companies. Strategies don’t create great companies.
Great people do.
And when you find them, treat them well, invest in them, appreciate them, and never take them for granted. They are the real secret behind every successful business.
