No Can? Always Can: 5 Lessons in Local Grit | with Blaine Apo
From running a struggling gas station to creating one of Maui’s favorite local snacks, Blaine Apo’s story is a masterclass in grit, vision, and staying true to your heart.
Born and raised on Maui, Blaine Apo graduated from King Kekaulike High School and started out as a mechanic before becoming a business owner. His entrepreneurial path was built through countless late nights, bold risks, and lessons learned the hard way. What began as running a struggling gas station transformed into the birth of Maui Crisps, a household name known for its signature thin, crispy pipikaula-style beef jerky.
Here are five real-talk lessons from Blaine’s journey that every future entrepreneur and dreamer can learn from.
1. Dare to be Different
When Blaine took over his father-in-law’s gas station, he quickly realized he couldn’t compete with giants like Costco on price alone. His solution? Be different.
“My father-in-law would always say, you know, you gotta be different and you gotta be better than competition. What are you gonna do?”
So Blaine started experimenting. First with poke, then breakfast bentos, and eventually samurai ice cream from O‘ahu. Each move was a risk, but every risk paid off because no one else was doing it.
“There’s no other gas station in the state that sells poke and beer and all your pupus. That was my way of being different and better.”
The takeaway? Don’t just follow what others are doing. Think beyond the obvious and create something that only you could.
2. There’s No “No Can”
Blaine’s go-to phrase and business philosophy is simple: no can is not an option.
“It’s a constant struggle. But I know I can get there. I know I can beat this race. I know I can get to the head of the pack. There’s no word ‘no can.’ Always can. You just gotta figure out how you’re gonna do ’em.”
Even when facing obstacles like installing a $22,000 grease trap he couldn’t afford or working 18-hour days between his garage and the gas station, Blaine refused to stop moving forward. That persistence built the foundation for everything that followed.
3. Embrace Risks (and Happy Accidents)
Maui Crisps was never part of the plan. It was born from a mistake. While drying pipikaula, Blaine noticed some pieces came out thin and crispy. Instead of throwing them away, he tasted them and realized he had something special.
“It was like one chip. So I tried it again. Something out of a mistake turned into something great.”
He perfected the process through trial and error and began selling it in Ziploc bags at the gas station. They sold out every single day. What started as an accident became the start of a thriving business.
The lesson? Great ideas often hide inside your failures. Try, fail, and stay curious. Your next big thing might already be in the works.
4. Build Your Foundation Before You Scale
When Blaine opened Maui Crisps’ first official facility, the growing pains hit hard. Managing employees, keeping quality consistent, and learning how to scale was a different world than running everything solo.
“By working by yourself, you can control what happens. But when you have other employees, not everybody is gonna think like you. I had to slow down and build the pillars that held up the business.”
He realized that growth without structure is fragile. He took the time to build systems that would keep the business standing strong.
“Once we commit to making this product, people want to buy it. The last thing we want to do is say, ‘Sorry, we don’t have it anymore.’”
5. Stay True to Your Vision
Through burnout, setbacks, and even health struggles, Blaine never lost sight of why he started.
“What’s important is not giving up. Make sure you reach your goal no matter how long it takes. Stick by what you believe in and go for it.”
His mantra, no can, always can, became more than a phrase; it became the spirit of his company.
Today, Maui Crisps continues to expand into new lines, from fruits and vegetables to grass-fed jerky, while staying rooted in that same homegrown determination.
“Don’t be scared to try something different. If you copy somebody, you’re just gonna ride on their coattail. As long as it makes you happy, do it, and it’ll take off.”
Final Thoughts
Blaine’s journey proves that success isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about trusting your gut, daring to be different, and never saying “no can.”
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