VR Advantage

Business Ownership “Island Style”

Is owning and running a business on the Island of Hawaii different from owning and running a business on the mainland U.S.?

Yes, absolutely!

First, you have to learn to slow down.  I often tell prospective business buyers that “if they work half as hard as they do on the mainland they are waaaayyyy ahead of the competition!”.

The flip side of this competitive advantage is that you do have to slooowww down!

If you run 24/7 you will drive away your associates, your customers and your vendors.  You need to slow down and enjoy your new island life.

Remember, you made the decision to move to the Island of Hawaii to make a “lifestyle change” and enhance your LQ…that means taking time to smell all the fabulous tropical flowers here.

Second, you need to learn to “talk story”…get to know your associates, your vendors and your customers “as people” which on the island means taking the time to “chit chat” or “talk story”.

Third, we live on an island.  That means all of the conveniences we are used to on the mainland may not be available…although I personally think many of what we call “conveniences” on the mainland actually complicate our lives and by not having them here we are able to “simplify” and focus on what is truly important in our lives.

As veteran “island business owners” we are here to help you better understand what owning and running a business on the Island of Hawaii is all about…reach out out to us via e-mail: griffrost@vrhi.com