When her mom told her to study radiology, it sounded like a smart plan. Good pay, job security, a stable future. But for Alexis Akiona, stability never sparked joy. She traded X-rays for Aloha shirts, turned risk into runway, and built one of Hawaiʻi’s most recognizable local fashion brands: Lex Breezy Hawaiʻi.

Shar Tuiasoa didn’t start with connections, capital, or a clear plan. She started with late nights waiting tables in Kailua, raising kids while finishing her art degree, and returning home to Hawai‘i with no job prospects in sight. Fear was always there, but instead of letting it crush her, she learned to work with it. What began as “pretend” projects turned into a thriving art business rooted in bold, vibrant illustrations that now travel the globe.