In this episode, we sit down with Meli James, cofounder of Mana Up and president of the Hawaiʻi Venture Capital Association, to discuss a unique perspective on community, creativity, and resilience. We talk about growing up in Hawai'i, navigating post-college uncertainty, discovering entrepreneurship, and returning home to build local opportunities

Key Themes:

• How Hawaiʻi’s culture shapes leadership and innovation
• Overcoming the feeling of being “stuck” after college
• Empowering the next generation of women in business
• The importance of creating global impact from a local foundation

Whether you’re a student in the islands or a young woman chasing your first big idea, Meli’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t mean leaving home—it can start right where your roots are.