Are You Holding Your Business Back Without Realizing It?
In Hawaiʻi, volcanoes are both powerful and unpredictable — fierce eruptions can destroy what’s in their path, but over time, they also create new land. In business, owners can sometimes act like that volcano. When decisions erupt without balance or foresight, they may burn the very foundation of their company. But with awareness and the right guidance, those same challenges can become fertile ground for growth — a chance to lanakila (win, triumph) and build something stronger.
One common “eruption” we see is when owners pull too much money from the company too soon. It might feel rewarding in the moment, but just like lava rushing too quickly, it drains resources that could fuel growth. Without reinvestment, businesses risk stalling, leaving them vulnerable when the market shifts.
Another way owners unintentionally hold themselves back is by silencing the voices around them. In Hawaiian culture, ʻohana (family) is everything, and in business, your team is your extended ʻohana. Ignoring employee ideas or shutting down collaboration creates cracks in the foundation. On the other hand, when leaders listen, encourage innovation, and trust their team, they lay down new land where creativity and loyalty thrive.
Leadership itself can also be the fire or the fertile soil. Poor leadership — whether through micromanagement, lack of vision, or unchecked ego — can burn out talented employees and leave the business barren. But great leadership, rooted in humility and aloha, transforms challenges into opportunities. It guides the lava flow, shaping it into steady land that can support long-term growth.
At Lanakila Partners, we believe every challenge can be reshaped into new ground for success. Just like the volcano creates new land, your struggles as an entrepreneur can fuel transformation if managed with strategy, intention, and aloha.
👉 Don’t let your own “eruption” hold your business back. Let’s harness that fire, shape it into something lasting, and build your foundation to truly lanakila.