Doreen Bowers has expanded her home-based business ventures in Hanapepe to now include Awake to Paradise travel service, DK Specialties, offering gift items, and a business support center. The “D” in DK Specialties is for Doreen Bowers, and the “K”
Doreen Bowers has expanded her home-based business ventures in Hanapepe to now include Awake to Paradise travel service, DK Specialties, offering gift items, and a business support center.
The “D” in DK Specialties is for Doreen Bowers, and the “K” is for daughter Kolina, 9, a student at Eleele School and the reason for the expansion, Bowers said.
“So I can be home for my daughter, to be there when she’s sick, when she needs me,” Bowers said about the major reason for the expansion.
The Westside is without a copy center, and the specialty item shop, located in a retail space at the front of her home, was chosen also specifically so Kolina could be involved.
The youngster has jumped in with both feet already, designing and making novelty buttons to go along with other designs featuring photos on coffee mugs, holiday cards, invitations, calendars and other keepsake memorabilia and gift items.
The business support center and image design business is the newest addition, offering copying, faxing, typing, book printing and mailing, as well as production of brochures, newsletters and menus, and other services.
Bowers has just put the finishing touches on a new menu for Green Garden Restaurant, which is literally a stone’s throw away from her Hana Road home and retail outlet.
A loan from Kauai Micro, a company specializing in small loans to individuals and companies turned down by traditional financing entities, helped Bowers buy equipment needed for the expansion.
That includes a mug-press machine, copier, and a printer reliable enough to handle heat transfers, as well as certain supplies.
Kauai Micro has helped her expand her business, to help it grow, where without the additional funds the expansion would not have been possible, she said.
“They’re helping me make my dreams come true,” she said.
Kauai Micro’s loan committee is good about giving people second chances, said Larry Dressler of Kauai Micro.
“We give her a chance to prove herself,” and then can make even more loan funds available once she’s proven she has a chance to make the business work long-term, he said.
The retail shop is being renovated, but Bowers remains open for business.
The shop hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with weekend hours available by appointment. Please call 335-3819 for more information.
