"YWCA Oʻahu had a huge impact on my confidence and ability to grow my online business. Meeting other business owners through the cohort helped build my professional network. The program's support and welcoming atmosphere no matter who you are, is key to the small successes I celebrated every day."

"Shop YWCA has been an amazing experience, which cultivated my growth, knowledge, and confidence. I had no formal education in ecommerce, but today I manage and understand it from the ground up. It fulfills me to see customers who have purchased an item that I have curated, described, and posted onto our website. The most rewarding part is knowing that each purchase funds a movement to empower women and change lives."

"It has truly been Life-changing! YWCA Oʻahu gave me the confidence to start my business. The diverse programs offered through MCBL and EWOC have been instrumental to my success. They have enabled me to attain the skill set to build my own website, create my own marketing campaigns, and understand business finances. I am grateful for the programs, coaches, and advisors of the YWCA for giving me the tools for becoming a successful business owner."

"Launch My Ecommerce allowed me the opportunity to have an online presence and to reach a larger market. About 50% of my business is generated from my online store that I learned how to build and manage through YWCA Oʻahu programs. The comprehensive classes allowed me the insight to run my business successfully online in addition to my face-to-face operations. I would not be as successful if it were not for participation in YWCA business development workshops."

“YWCA Oʻahu has been a lifeline for me as a fine artist during the challenging times of COVID. They recognized the limitations of my traditional medium and suggested a brilliant solution: creating mini limited-edition prints of my surfboard art to make it more accessible and generate supplementary income. With YWCA Oahu’s guidance and expertise, I successfully pivoted and was able to reach a wider audience and establish a signature product more favorable for mass production.Their support has not only transformed my career but also empowered me to make a positive impact in the art community. I am incredibly grateful for YWCA Oahu’s unwavering belief in my talent, and their dedication to supporting artists like me to succeed.”

"When failure, relapse and recidivism seemed like my only option: the gift of YWCA Oʻahu entered my life. Through various programs and dedicated people, I was treated like a person and awarded a fighting chance to turn my life around. I am now an author, illustrator, and mother who is independent, confident, successful and above all else… alive!"

"YWCA Oʻahu has paved the way for me as a Native Hawaiian, Wahine-Owned Small Business owner here on Hawai'i island. I had a vision, but I did not have the necessary tools to make my dream a reality. YWCA Oʻahu worked closely with me to create a one-of-a-kind design that would become the face of my packaging, making what I offer not only unique to Hawaiʻi, but nationwide as well. Mahalo nunui, YWCA Oʻahu!

“During incarceration, I found my gift of art, and through darkness bloomed creativity. With YWCA Oʻahu, I cultivated my gift into a passion that has transformed into an achieved dream. I am now a successful artist with a purpose to inspire and encourage all to find their passion, because everyone has a gift."

"YWCA Oʻahu offered me a fresh start amidst the economic impact of Covid-19 restrictions in 2021. They enabled me to enter a new industry, learn valuable skills, and successfully pivot my career. Their support and this opportunity were crucial to my professional journey."

"I love YWCA Oʻahu and DFS immensely and appreciate you all greatly. You are all a part of my success and I am grateful. This program is amazing and helped me elevate my confidence and strength within myself to pursue my goals. I forgot how it was to look professional."

"The COVID lockdown was horrible for me as a person who has no family. I had a horrible time with the isolation so I began to write my book.

YWCA was a great help teaching me the business end of things and the steps I needed to take to get me through and beyond a terrible time in our history."