What inspired you to start your career in this field?

Cooking became my way of caring long before it became a profession. With three children depending on me, I discovered feeding people was the clearest way I knew how to show love. A warm plate, a well-seasoned broth, these were my gifts when I couldn’t offer anything else. Over time, I realized this wasn’t just survival; this was my calling.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a woman in business?

Patience is power. When you’re raising children and building a life at the same time, you learn to move steadily, not loudly. I found that consistency speaks louder than any argument. People trust a woman who shows up the same way every day with discipline, with calm, and with purpose.

What motivates you on the tough days?

My son and my daughters. They’ve seen me start over more times than I can count, and I want them to know that resilience is a practice, not a moment. When the day is heavy, I remind myself that they are watching how I stand up, how I continue, how I keep the kitchen and our home warm.

How do you balance work and personal life—or do you believe in balance at all?

For me, balance has always looked like blending. The kitchen was never separate from my life; it was the heart of it. My children grew up around pots clinking and dough rising. I never chased perfect balance. I focused on creating a home where work and family could breathe together.

What’s the best way you like to recharge after a busy week?

I cook something simple, just for my family, no plating, no pressure, no guests waiting. When I feed the people I love most, I feel grounded again. Nourishing others is my way of restoring myself.

Who was your biggest role model or mentor growing up?

My biggest role model is my mother, Mary Ann Ho. She does everything with her whole heart. She is the one who taught me it is better to give than to receive.

During my school age years, she was always volunteering at Sacred Hearts Academy in all forms. Her example leads me to want to provide the best for my children. Also, giving back to my alma mater has fulfilled me in ways I could have never imagined.

How do you balance work and personal life—or do you believe in balance at all?

With four children, balance is key.

I have a beautiful village that helps me juggle it all. As much as possible, I will show up for my kids’ activities, passions, and sports. They are my driving force behind everything I do. I always try my best to be there for them, and I am their biggest cheerleader.

Describe your leadership style in three words.

I lead by example, by being hands on, and with motivation.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a woman in business?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that lasting success is never built alone. Whether in leadership or in life, progress depends on teamwork and a shared commitment to excellence. Our company lives by the motto, “E holomua me ka laulima,” which translates to “success through teamwork,” and it guides how we work, how we lead, and how we support one another every day. I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t defined by your title, or gender, or background it’s defined by how well you build and value your team. By focusing on collaboration, accountability, respect, and shared responsibility, I’ve been able to lead with confidence and authenticity, without feeling the need to lead any differently than who I am.

Describe your leadership style in three words.

Decisive, accountable, and collaborative. I believe leadership starts with making confident decisions and taking responsibility for the outcomes. I lead with clarity and fairness, setting clear expectations while staying open to different perspectives. Collaboration is essential and my team deserves to be heard, they deserve respect for their expertise and they value working together toward a shared purpose. When people feel supported and aligned, they do their best work.

How do you define success for yourself?

I define success as leading with integrity and following through with my commitments to my team, clients, and those we do business with. After 22 years, I am proud of the reputation our company has achieved throughout Hawai‘i.

What inspired you to start a career in this field?

I began my career in Hawaiʻi as a resort retailer with Crazy Shirts, starting as a stock person and, over 20 years, working my way up to regional manager for Hawai‘i and Guam. That experience shaped how I lead and instilled the value of excellence, hard work, consistency, and understanding people.

September 11, 2001 brought about change in our world and mine personally, and I made the decision to leave retail. My desire to try something new led me to the construction industry, where I had to learn an entirely new discipline. I didn’t come in with a technical background, but I brought a technically driven mindset, strong accountability, and the determination to succeed. My husband, Brent, and I have spent the last 22 years building our company together. From the beginning, we shared a vision not just to run a business, but to build a company rooted in integrity, craftsmanship, and excellent service for our clients, our team, and our community.

Building our company in Hawai‘i taught us it is important to care for our community and that success carries responsibility. Stepping into industry leadership felt like a natural extension of that belief, and today, as President of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, I remain grateful for the journey and the opportunity to give back to the industry that has given us so much.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

You will make mistakes, and some lessons will be hard, very hard, but you will get through them. Do your best always because giving your best is what lets you sleep at night. Value commitment, consistency, and the relationships that support you. There will be many people along the way who love you and want to see you succeed. Live within your means, figure things out as you go, and be proud of your accomplishments. Trust yourself enough to stand on your own, be bold in your decisions, take accountability when you fall short, and in all things be gracious.

If you could swap lives with another woman for a day, who would it be?

If I could swap lives with another woman, it would be my mother. She was a tough cookie—strong, disciplined, and resilient and gracious. She was sometimes perceived as reserved, but beneath that exterior was a deep sense of care, responsibility, and love. Only after she passed did I learn how many people she quietly helped, never seeking recognition and never talking about it. If only for a day to see through her eyes her perspective of life would give me a glimpse into how she navigated life as a mother, professional leader, and valued friend.