Meet Dion’e Ka’eo

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dion’e Ka’eo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dion’e , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Being the only one in the room that looks like me can be both challenging and empowering. Over time, I’ve likely developed several strategies that have helped me thrive in these situations:

1. **Confidence and Self-Advocacy**

– I’ve learned to believe in my abilities and to advocate for myself, even when others may not fully understand or acknowledge my unique perspective. My self-confidence allows me to assert my ideas and opinions, knowing that my voice matters.

2. **Resilience and Adaptability**

– Facing challenges has likely taught me to be resilient. When I’m the only one, who might encounter biases or microaggressions, but I’ve developed the ability to navigate these situations with grace and adapt to different environments without losing my sense of self.

3. **Building Alliances**

– Even if I’m the only one who looks like me in the room, I’ve learned to build alliances with others based on shared goals and values. By connecting with people who respect my skills and contributions, I’ve been able to foster support and collaboration.

4. **Cultural Competence**

– Being different in a room has likely sharpened my cultural competence. I’ve learned to read the room, understand different perspectives, and communicate in ways that resonate with diverse audiences.

5. **Leveraging Uniqueness**

– I recognized that my unique background and experiences offer valuable insights. By embracing what makes me different, I’ve been able to offer fresh perspectives that might not otherwise be considered, setting myself apart as an innovative thinker.

6. **Continual Learning and Growth**

– I’ve likely embraced a mindset of continual learning, recognizing that being the only one in the room is an opportunity to grow. Whether through formal education or personal experiences, I’ve sought out knowledge to enhance my effectiveness.

7. **Mentorship and Guidance**

– Over time, I have sought out a mentor who understands my journey and she’s influenced me to become a mentor myself.. Her support system continues to provide guidance, encouragement, and strategies for success.

8. **Maintaining Integrity and Authenticity**

– Despite pressures to conform, I’ve learned the importance of staying true to myself.. By maintaining my integrity and authenticity, I’ve been able to build trust and respect with others.

These skills have likely played a significant role in my success, allowing me to not only survive, but to thrive in environments where I stand out.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a very proud intersex female Hawai’i born and Las Vegas raised in the Hawaiian, Samoan and Tahitian culture. From slender to beauty beyond size model, Vocalist, Runway/Pageant Coach, Fashionista, Pageant Queen, Pageant Executive Marketing Director, Polynesian Dancer and a huge Homeless Advocate. I’ve embraced every aspect of myself, my life and turned it into my own unique journey of empowerment, survival, success and self-expression. I am highly favored by the most high and by my Tūpuna (ancestors). I am destined to leave a legacy behind.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Vision and Creativity

• Impact: My ability to envision something new and bring it to life has been crucial. Whether it’s creating music, singing, producing a runway fashion show, being a pageantry/model instructor, or advocating for the homeless, my creativity has allowed me to differentiate myself and my work from others.

• Advice: For those early in their journey, nurture your creativity by constantly seeking inspiration and exploring new ideas. Surround yourself with diverse influences, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Develop a clear vision of what you want to achieve and keep refining it as you grow.

2. Networking and Relationship Building

• Impact: Building strong relationships across different industries has probably opened doors and provided the support needed to grow my ventures. Networking has allowed me to collaborate, gain insights, and gather resources that are crucial for success.

• Advice: Start building your network early. Attend events, connect with people in your industry, and be genuinely interested in others’ work. Focus on creating mutually beneficial relationships and don’t just seek out connections for what they can do for you. Follow up, maintain relationships, and be consistent in offering value to your network.

3. Resilience and Adaptability

• Impact: The entrepreneurial path is often unpredictable. My resilience in the face of setbacks and my ability to adapt to changing circumstances have likely been key to my success.

• Advice: For those just starting out, it’s important to build a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities for growth. Embrace failure as a learning tool and stay flexible in your approach. Cultivate resilience by setting realistic expectations, practicing self-care, and finding a support system that can help you stay grounded.

By focusing on these areas, new entrepreneurs can set a strong foundation for success and navigate the challenges of their journey with confidence.

 

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

1. Mentors and Advisors

• Impact: My Father Dwight L. Ka’eo and my Mentor Ms. Clara D, Priester who have been through similar paths in the music, fashion, or pageantry industries, or in advocacy work, have provided invaluable guidance in my life. Their experience, wisdom, and advice helped me navigate complex situations, avoid common pitfalls, and refine my strategies.

2. Supportive Family and Friends

• Impact: The encouragement and support from my family, my Kahukaula/Tūpuna (foster/ancestors) Johnslyn Francis Luana Albinio and close friends, such as my women’s life group have been crucial during tough times. They provided love, understanding, emotional support, constructive feedback, or even practical help, enabling me to stay focus and motivated.

3. Collaborators and Partners

• Impact: Collaborators and business partners have been very instrumental in my success. Working alongside others who share my vision and bring complementary skills has likely enabled me to expand my reach, innovate, and grow my ventures.

4. Community and Networks

• Impact: Being part of a community or network of like-minded individuals, whether within my industries or in advocacy, likely provided me with a sense of belonging, resources, and opportunities to learn and grow.

5. Role Models

• Impact: Observing and learning from role models in my fields, whether directly or indirectly, have inspired and shaped my approach to my work. Their journeys and achievements has served as a blueprint for my success.

Each of these people has likely contributed in different ways, helping me to build the resilience, creativity, and networking skills that have been so important in my entrepreneurial and advocacy work. Above all I give glory to God for the strength and for bringing me this far in life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Island Fashion Designer Kanoelani Davis of Po Mahina Designs
Celebrity Fashion Designer Kenneth Barlis
Gucci
Photography by Mark Salondaka
Photography by Michael Wells of Snoop Media
Photography by Corey Dowdell of Another Day in Paradise
Paradise Island Fashion Week Hawai’i
Assist & Feed Hawai’i Distressed Communities
Miss Plus World
Lady Toma
Shore to Shore Gowns

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made