Community Corner

How did the business get started?

My desire to pursue a career in natural healing methods started in 2009, when I was pursuing a master’s degree in animal sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I took an elective called La’au Lapa’au, a traditional Hawaiian medicine course, and it was in my first class that I had a profound sense that my path was going to be to help others using natural methods of healing. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I knew something new was on the horizon.

In 2010, I became pregnant and found that acupuncture helped me immensely. Not just with physical discomforts from pregnancy, but emotionally it helped to calm my mind and get me through tough times in my personal life. I was blown away by how I felt after sessions.

Once I finished my master’s degree, I went straight into figuring out how I could learn acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and making it a career. I enrolled in my second Masters, this time in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Four years later I became a licensed acupuncturist here in Honolulu, and Mala Healing Arts was born.

I’ve always had a sense of business from a young age. My father was a business owner, and I grew up surrounded in that environment. Starting Mala Healing Arts felt natural and really exciting to me. The work I do to help others with this powerful medicine is also what drives and motivates me to have this business so that I can be of service to those who are called to this healing modality.

What are the main services you provide to your customers?

I provide healing modalities founded in the traditions of Chinese Medicine. This includes acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, nutrition and lifestyle guidance. We look at all the aspects of a person’s health and custom tailor treatments to best address the root imbalances of an individual to restore optimal health and vitality. I also incorporate Western supplements as needed based in my studies of Integrative Medicine.

What is an interesting fact about your business?

When people walk into the clinic, most comment that they already feel relaxed and at peace before the treatment even begins. We have a waiting area that includes what we call our “Inspiration Room.” Here you can find a place to sit, relax and read a book from our vast library of Chinese Medicine and other healing modalities from around the world. We have pictures of those who have inspired us throughout our lives.

What is one thing your business is known for?

Where my practice shines is in the field of Women’s health. I guide women in each stage of their life. I do have a special focus on fertility and helping women to achieve and maintain healthy pregnancies. This applies to both natural methods and for those who are undergoing ART (advanced reproductive technology), like IUI and IVF. My own fertility challenges and successes enable me to have compassion and hold space for women who are struggling through this period of their lives.

Please share a story about a major hurdle you had to overcome and how you were able to achieve this.
The biggest hurdle in some ways was just starting to offer treatments. In the beginning, you question yourself and your abilities and have doubts about if people will want to come and see you. I took all the steps I could to get my name out.

What’s the biggest risk your business ever took?

Building out a new clinic space. Prior to this, I was renting space out of other clinics. To branch out and create a clinic from scratch was daunting and costly. Thankfully, I didn’t do it alone. A colleague and I decided to join forces and create the space together. Even with a business partner, the financial risk was high and the time and energy to reconvert an old and outdated medical office practice was a lot of work.

Taking this risk was well worth it. Being able to work in a space of your own creation and one that feels good to be in is essential.

Any advice you’d like to give to someone who’s thinking about becoming a business owner?

First, have a solid business plan. Do your research, know what you are getting yourself into financially and logistically in your life. Have ideals but be realistic and start small with low overhead. You can expand as the business grows.

Also, have a strong sense that what you are doing or going to put out into the world is in complete alignment with who you are and what your values are, not what you think will be profitable or what you think others want. If you come from that place within yourself then things will flow and fall into place in right time.

And last, patience. With a solid foundation, building a business and letting it take root and flourish takes time, but you will eventually get to where you want to be.

Information provided by Maire Cahoon, Founder of Mala Healing Arts.

About the Spotlight Member of the Month

As part of our contest for a HI Now segment on Hawaii News Now, we asked Rising Tide members to provide information highlighting their unique businesses. While only one winner could be featured in the spot, we wanted to highlight some of the other unique businesses that submitted. This started the Spotlight Member of the Month feature, a monthly highlight of small businesses from across the islands.