What is your “elevator pitch” and very briefly share what your company does.
We are a small family-owned and operated business, since 2008, that makes a line of tropical fruit infused Hawaiian sea salts and seasonings (and a small line of salt-free blends and even cane sugars). We want to bring our unique seasonings and blends into every home to not only “make eating healthy and fun” but to, theoretically, break bread with our customers and hanai family. Really bring people together through delicious food made with love by our hands, and hearts.
What inspired you to pursue the path you’re on today?
My mom started Salty Wahine when I went off to college to get my degree, a BFA in film. Seeing her passion come through, not only from growing up and passing along these unique blends as gifts during the holidays, but from a vision with only $500 dollars in her pocket to fruition not only inspired me but made me want to keep her legacy going. And growing it to be the awesome company it is today.
Keeping the reason she started Salty Wahine true to our hearts and making it for over 15 years really helps us feel beyond connected. Not only to our seasonings but our home and loved ones. To know this love has transferred from multiple generations really inspired me to cook at home and teach our almost 5-year-old, Liliana Rose, the importance of what we do.
What’s been the proudest pinch me moment so far?
It would have to be when my mother and wife submitted one of my first blends into the fiery food show in Texas back in 2020. The blend is our Island Volcano Seasoning, which is great on everything. The moment that made me proud was seeing the amount of awards that this product won. It won Best in Show, the People’s Choice Award, and Best on Pork, and chicken. The People’s Choice Award is probably my favorite due to the “people” who attended the event, voting and choosing the seasoning that I created. I didn’t know they had entered it on my behalf and feel honored to be standing with the big BBQ companies in Texas. My wife is most proud of me creating a special prime rib rub for the Aulani Resort on O‘ahu that is still used to this day, as she is a huge Disney fanatic.
What’s one thing you’re working on right now that excited you?
We are currently trying to name a blend that our daughter Liliana and I made about six months ago. It may seem minor but getting her involved in our business has been exciting. Letting her help in the kitchen has been a fun discovery for both of us, and naming this new Smoky Garlic salt-free blend may sound small, but after having released a whole salt-free line in our line of Hawaiian Sea Salts and Seasonings has opened so many doors to more people trying our blends who wouldn’t have in the first place. Liliana’s name and hands will be a part of Salty Wahine forever and hopefully move on to the next generation, too. She loves to clean the kitchen at work; now, if we can manage to get her to clean her room is another story.
Why do I deserve to be recognized as a young professional?
Full disclosure. I, Sean’s wife Jessika, am the one filling out this form. Not because Sean isn’t capable, but he is the rock that holds things together and the logic to our duo. Whereas I am the emotional, extroverted individual who likes to talk story and sing. He is the ying to my yang and deserves everything good that comes to him.
Not only is he a good husband, a good father, and a good chef but he truly exudes what it is to be a good future owner, a good manager, and he is someone good to look up to. For the younger generations to come, he really is patient and kind with his teachings. Watching him raise our Liliana and direct our staff and our household really has me looking forward to all that he is. There is no one more deserving of this sort of honor.
