Francesca Sakai shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Francesca, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that’s been bringing me a lot of joy lately is spending time at the ocean and with the people I love. There’s something about being by the water that completely resets me — it helps me recharge, clear my mind, and come back to everything else feeling grounded and inspired.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Aloha! My name is Francesca, and I’m the founder of Passion Moon Potions, a handcrafted natural skincare brand born right here in Kona, Hawai‘i. I started my journey as a pastry chef, and over time, that love for creating beautiful, sensory experiences evolved into making what I like to call ‘desserts for your skin.’ Every product is inspired by the islands — from tropical scents like plumeria and lilikoi to nourishing botanicals — and made in small batches with aloha. I’m passionate about bringing a little piece of Hawai‘i’s natural beauty and warmth into people’s everyday self-care routines.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was realizing that creativity and healing can come from the same place. When I shifted from being a pastry chef to creating natural skincare, I discovered that the same care and intention that goes into baking something beautiful can also go into crafting something that nurtures the skin and spirit. Living in Hawai‘i has deepened that perspective — being surrounded by the ocean, nature, and community reminds me how connected everything is. It’s taught me to slow down, be grateful, and create with aloha. Starting Passion Moon Potions from the ground up showed me that you can turn passion into purpose — and that even small, handmade things can have a big impact when they’re made with love and intention.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve had many moments where I almost threw in the towel and gave up. There were times with no sales coming in, days where I questioned if all the hard work was worth it, and rejection emails that made me doubt myself — especially when I was reaching out to potential wholesale accounts and getting silence in return. It’s tough putting your heart into something so personal and not seeing the results right away. But every time I thought about stopping, I’d remember why I started — to create something real, something made with aloha that brings joy and care into people’s lives. Those moments of struggle taught me resilience, patience, and trust in the process. I realized that growth takes time, and even the quiet seasons have a purpose.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
For the most part, yes — the public version of me really is the real me. What people see through Passion Moon Potions or on social media is a reflection of who I am at my core: someone who loves creating, connecting, and sharing a bit of aloha through what I make. Of course, I think we all have moments where we keep parts of ourselves private — the tired days, the doubts, the behind-the-scenes mess — but the heart behind everything I share is always genuine. I try to show up with honesty, kindness, and warmth, because that’s the energy I want my brand and my life to give back to the world.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who led with heart — who created beauty, kindness, and connection in everything I touched. I want them to say that I poured love into my work, into the people around me, and into the little details that made life more special. That I followed my passion fearlessly, even when it was hard, and stayed true to my values. More than anything, I hope people remember the feeling — that sense of calm, joy, and aloha — that I tried to share through my creations and my presence. If I’ve inspired someone to chase their dream, believe in themselves, or see beauty in small things, then I’ve done what I came here to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.passionmoonpotions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionmoon808/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-sakai-6ab355385/
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