From Bling to Business

How Sheri Kira turned her passion into profit.

When walking into Sheri Kira’s thriving Kaka‘ako boutique, Kira Hawaii, it’s almost impossible not to pick up an item that catches your eye. However, despite the store’s impressive array of stylish clothing for women and keiki, Kira’s business actually began with her popular line of handmade jewelry.

“Jewelry, that’s our bread and butter,” said Kira, “That’s what we started with, so naturally that is our top seller and what we’re really known for.”

In college, Kira had majored in visual communications with hopes of becoming a newscaster; but, after shadowing a professional in the industry, she soon realized that the position was not for her. Having always been interested in fashion and DIY projects, Kira took a jewelry class and began listing her items on Instagram for friends to purchase.

Eventually, as her designs evolved and her materials became more high-end, she began consigning her pieces at local boutiques including Fighting Eel and Mikinola.

“I was still working full time—in business development—at a local credit union and then hustling at night making jewelry. I always had something to do,” said Kira.

However, after a leadership change at the credit union, she decided to quit her job and pursue her jewelry line full-time. With the support of her husband, Kira opened a kiosk at Pearlridge that featured her jewelry along with an eclectic mix of upcycled women’s wear and clothes for keiki and babies.

After only a year and a half of operating her kiosk, Kira’s vision outgrew the small space and she and her husband moved their business into a corner storefront in Mililani Town Center. The size of her space doubled again only six months later when she was given the opportunity to move into a larger, more prominent vacancy in the Mililani Town Center.

“I did not have any background in business,” said Kira, “everything was purely trial and error. Culturally, when you’re born and raised in Hawai‘i, you’re a little bit more timid and sometimes hold back on asking questions. I didn’t really have anyone to guide me.”

Despite having to learn the ins and outs of business through experience, Kira forged lasting relationships with customers at her Mililani location, including those who would drive all the way from town and longed for a closer location. Eventually in 2018 due to a number of requests, Kira and her husband opened their current Kaka‘ako location.

In addition to branching out geographically, Kira launched the first collection of her new label, Paradiso, in April 2019, which features comfortable pieces for women and their keiki in matching tropical prints.

“I’ve done clothes before, just under Kira Hawaii, because I’ve always loved design,” said Kira, “clothing is like a whole new monster, but I enjoy it. I am still working on another print that hopefully will come out by the summer.”

Kira also loves supporting other local brands and the entrepreneurs behind them by stocking their unique products in her store. Many of the brands carried by Kira Hawaii, including Hi‘ilani Hawai‘i, Izzy and Luke, Sticks + Stones and Short Stack are made in Hawai‘i.

“I’m all about supporting other women and supporting local.”

“I’ve always appreciated when local boutiques carried my line so I want to do the same for others,” said Kira. “It gives them the opportunity to get their name out there and push their brand, so I’m all about supporting other women and supporting local.”