We recently connected with Michelle Horton and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Michelle with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I attribute my strong work ethic to the ways in which me and my siblings were raised.
We had a pretty rough upbringing for various reasons, but through our trials & tribulations we learned how to be independent and self-driven. My dad in particular taught me how to care for myself, do my own cooking, laundry & grocery shopping, and even how to ride the city bus to school by the time I was age 5.
He was also a small business owner that worked hard to keep his carpet laying business alive, all the while raising 5 children virtually alone. Nothing was ever given to us for free. We either had to earn it via saving our chore money, or via jobs.There were many times when I would go with him to job sites and pick up carpet scraps for a whoppin’ $5/hr.. Money for toys? Nope. We were expected to budget our earnings & use the money for things we truly needed.
It wasn’t always fun growing up, but I am so thankful for these life lessons as they have instilled a strong work ethic in me to this very day. There is no greater feeling than earning the things you need and want.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I run a weekly market called the Lōkahi Kailua Market. Our Mission is to “Strengthen the communities of Hawai‘i, one market at a time.”
Lōkahi Kailua Market was inspired by my research findings while getting my Master’s Degree from the University of Hawai‘i. Here, I explored community conflict in my hometown of Kailua in order to illuminate potential solutions that would restore a sense of community.
A market setting seemed to be a viable solution since in addition to being a place of commerce, we put a strong emphasis on the wide-variety of participants that come to LKM each week. Just like the lōkahi wheel, which emphasizes harmony, unity & balance…each participant plays an equal role in helping to bring about more lōkahi (our vendors, musicians, non-profits, workers, volunteers & customers/tourists included).
With the notion of lōkahi at the forefront, LKM strives to be a place where we leave our differences aside & come together to build relationships/connections that foster positive change (economically, socially, spiritually, etc.).
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. RESILIENCY. Business is competitive & there are always new obstacles that you have to adapt to quickly. We launched LKM just 6 short months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Business regulations were very strict in the State of Hawaii and as a result, I was forced to find creative solutions/adaptations to keep the market alive. This was especially true during lockdown periods when only “essential” businesses could operate. Hawaii is also a tourism-driven economy and hence, I was forced to find creative ways to support vendors due to incoming visitors (consumers) being at an all time low. We pushed through and have come out stronger than ever before.
Advice: Make every day count and always try to focus on the lessons when you’re faced with obstacles. With the attitude of “No losing…only winning or learning”, you will eventually find your way.
2. LEADERSHIP. Running a small business is hard and particularly in my case since within the market, I manage over 100+ small business vendors throughout the year. Even when my job is done, I know that I have to go the extra mile to inspire and lead others because our relationship (market manager & vendors) is a symbiotic one.
Advice: Trust yourself & never be afraid to think outside the box. When you believe in your Mission, naturally, it becomes much more likely that others will follow in your footsteps. The “Lōkahi Vibes” as we call them, are alive & growing and I attribute this to my strong convictions that achieving harmony, unity & balance is possible.
3. INTEGRITY. The business world can also be cutthroat at times, but I always let my moral code lead the way. Sometimes this means “success” takes longer to achieve, but by always doing the right thing, treating people with respect & kindness, and trusting the process…it has led to us having positive & uplifting environment at the market each week. Our list of allies is growing too!
Advice: There are no shortcuts to success. If you’re in it to win it, always operate under the assumption that karma is real & it catches up to you sooner or later. When you do the right thing, things always work out as they should & you’ll feel good about your choices too!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My mom is by far my biggest inspiration. She lived the most difficult life of anyone I know, but always pushed through even when the odds were stacked against her. Above all, she always helped those in need & had compassion for society’s most vulnerable. She was a true advocate for “the underdog”.
During what I thought was my biggest obstacle (managing a new business during the COVID-19 pandemic), my worst fear came true. Mom passed away unexpectedly & it felt as though my entire life’s purpose came to an end. I had always envisioned myself caring for her into old age, and so without her here, I had to re-invent myself.
I poured all of my heartache & pain into my business and began to view my work as an opportunity to serve others, whether it was through helping them to gain financial independence via their business or simply to build confidence to pursue their dreams.
Although she is no longer with us, I constantly refer to her strength, wisdom & empathy to keep me going. With her as a guiding force, I feel stronger than ever and equipped to help elevate others in the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lokahikailuamarket.com/
- Instagram: @lokahi_kailua_market
- Facebook: @lokahi_kailua_market
- Yelp: https://lokahikailuamarket.com/
- Other: X: @lokahikailuamkt
Image Credits
Michelle Horton
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
