How do you give back to your community?  

To support the non-profit sector, I am the founder and current board president of the ‘Alakai Young Leaders for the Hawaii Foodbank. Our mission is to support the Hawaii Foodbank initiatives, support fundraising and sponsorships, and to build the next generation of supporters to feed Hawai‘i’s hungry. 

To support the business community, I sit on the board of directors for the University of Hawai‘i Shidler College of Business Alumni Association. I’ve been on that board since 2010, and have helped raise over $500,000 to the association, and organized over 50 events for alumni networking. 

To support the outreach to the Japan community, I am one of the original founders of another Young Professional Group—the Japan America Society of Hawaii NextGen Leaders. 

What does giving back mean to you?

Giving back means you are using your time wisely. There is never enough time, but you need to volunteer.  

What do you love most about your job? 

I am in a position where both personally with my social media brand @tobypicks_ and through my company marketing programs, I am delivering messages to over 500,000 people a day. I enjoy having the opportunity to provide this leverage, and to bring customers to the businesses I work with. 

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/industry?

I think the most exciting thing about my job is that it is never the same every day. Every day is different from the one before. 

How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? 

I have pivoted quite a lot in the past five years. Social media marketing has now become our highest revenue stream led with Instagram as the main platform. I’ve also been working more with social media influencers based in Hawai‘i and internationally. 

Now, as a more experienced leader, how do you define success?

I think there are two types of success paths in business. Financial success, where you are making enough money for a living. And there is social success, where you have connections and influence over other people. Financial success is very difficult. But social success is attainable if you put the time into it. 

What have been the biggest turning points in your career?

The biggest turning point of my career is happening right now. The digital marketing space has never been so popular, and I am working hard to achieve new goals from it. The next 3-5 years will change the way marketing is done. 

How has Hawai‘i’s unique culture shaped who you are in business? 

I love the business culture here. We have the best of U.S. and Asian influences. 

What new technologies have you implemented into your business practices?

Instagram marketing has now become my highest source of revenue. 

What made you better from the Covid-19 pandemic?

Zoom meetings have increased work production. The majority of my meetings are online now compared to before Covid-19.