Fellows mentioned in this story: Meli James, Cohort VII

From Forbes:

While tourism in Hawai‘i can be a big driver of consumer spending, there is also an initiative fostering locally-owned businesses to increase and maintain their sales globally.

It is happening through direct mentorship on how to increase product marketing and develop leadership traits to reach new and different audiences. This mission is the focus for Brittany Heyd and Meli James, two friends and entrepreneurs who run Mana Up, a business incubator promoting and advising Hawai‘i-based proprietors. 

Having launched Mana Up in 2018, these two Hawai‘i residents started their business incubator after talking about wanting to create well-paying job opportunities within Hawai‘i, but in an innovative way. Their approach is applied through promoting products made in, and often associated with, this state.

Continue reading at forbes.com.