Wendy Hee of Honolulu, Hawaii on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Wendy Hee and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Wendy, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Good morning, and thank you so much for having me. I think many people quietly struggle with the reality of their daily lives—the grind, the constant balancing act, and the feeling that they’re not living up to expectations, whether their own or others’. Most of us keep those struggles private, perhaps out of pride or fear of seeming vulnerable, but they’re universal. Even when life looks “put together” from the outside, there’s often a quiet tension underneath: managing responsibilities, juggling dreams with reality, and wondering if what we’re doing is enough.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! I’m Wendy, the maker behind Mend & Muse, where I create and restore one-of-a-kind bags and accessories from reclaimed, vintage, and forgotten materials. My work is really about giving new life to things that might otherwise be discarded—whether that’s a piece of leather with history, vintage textiles, or a beloved bag in need of care.

What makes Mend & Muse special is that every piece carries a story. It’s not just a bag, but a little bit of history transformed into something functional and beautiful. For me, it’s a blend of craftsmanship and sustainability, showing that style and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand. And along the way, I try to share my humor and personality too—I want people to feel not just the story of the materials, but also a glimpse of the real me behind the work.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without a doubt, my husband. I believe he saw me clearly before I could see myself. For much of my life, I felt pressure to meet expectations and present only the “acceptable” version of myself, which made it hard to show vulnerability. My husband, though, has always encouraged me to be my authentic self – without regret and without apology. With his steady support, I’ve felt liberated to let go of that old need for perfection and grow into someone who isn’t afraid to be fully seen. In a way, he gave me the courage to step into my own skin, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, I’ve definitely had times when I almost gave up. For me, it was often tied to imposter syndrome—wondering if I was really cut out to be an entrepreneur, a bag maker, or someone who could truly inspire by rescuing and reimagining materials. In the early days, when business was slow, I questioned whether I was trying to be someone I wasn’t.

The hardest part of starting your own business is the vulnerability—you’re putting your heart, your creativity, and your risks on display for everyone to see. That can feel scary, especially for someone who once worried a lot about stepping outside of who I thought I was “supposed” to be.

But what’s carried me through is the belief that you can’t fail at doing something you love. Even if it doesn’t look “successful” by traditional measures, the act of creating with love and purpose is already its own form of success. That mindset keeps me going, even in the moments when I’ve doubted myself.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. The public version of me is definitely real – I don’t put on a persona that feels false, but it’s not the whole me. What people see is the part of me I feel ready to share: the maker, the storyteller, the person passionate about giving new life to materials, and the side of me that likes to sprinkle in a little humor to show a more human, playful side. But like anyone, I also carry private layers – my doubts, my vulnerabilities, and the messy, unpolished parts of life that don’t always make it into the public view.

So the public version is a true reflection, but it’s also curated. I think that balance is important: I want to be authentic, but I also want to protect the parts of myself that are still just for me and the people closest to me.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m bag making—especially when I’m hand-stitching. There’s something about the rhythm of the needle and thread that feels almost meditative. It’s quiet, focused, and deeply grounding for me. In those moments, everything else fades into the background, and I’m reminded that this is exactly what I’m meant to be doing. It doesn’t just bring me peace—it reinforces why I have to keep creating.

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Image Credits
Wendy Hee

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