CALVIN SHINDO STUDENT VENTURE FUND

Kaya Waldman

Kaya Waldman is from Kapaa, Kauai. She’s an entrepreneur, student and big wave surfer. Last year she founded Kealia Media, a creative media agency. She enjoys helping Hawaii based businesses thrive in the digital world. She specializes in website design and copywriting, skills that she obtained through her associates degree at Kauai Community College. She is currently a student at University of Hawaii West Oahu where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing. While being a student, Kealia Media has created flexibility for her to focus on her studies as well as her athletic pursuits. She’s honored to be participating in RedBull Magnitude for my third year. Magnitude is the first ever women’s only big wave surf contest.

As a senior in high school, Kaya took early college courses where an opportunity to take place in a business incubator contest took place. She won the contest with the business plan she created for Kaya’s Vegan Express. At 17 years old she opened a storefront with the help of Kauai Community College, ABC Stores, Coconut Marketplace and her family. She was granted the storefront rent free for one year. She was able to break even with her costs and generate profit in the year while providing healthy meals to her community. That opportunity has been instrumental to her journey as an entrepreneur. She has set goals for herself to become informed in all areas of the business world so that she may benefit her community in a powerful way.

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