Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Santos.
Hi Natalie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Natalie. I own the company, Local Sweets. It is a company made up of li hing mui sweets. Li hing mui is dried plum ground into a fine powder that is a combo of sweet, salty, and sour. It’s used in the pacific islands primarily as a topping. Known in Hawaii as ‘salted dried plum’, li hing mui is widely used on fresh fruit, candy, drinks and so much more. Being pacific islander myself and growing up on Oahu, one of my favorite treats was li hing mui. It was a staple in my household growing up and has always been one of my most favorite treats. As a kid, some of my favorite memories were driving to the north shore and stopping off at a roadside fruit stand, and picking up li hing mui-covered mangos. You knew it was good when you finished your fruit and your fingers were stained red from the li hing. After moving back to the mainland, I realized how difficult it was to get and that is how Local Sweets started. I saw a need for some island flavor on the mainland and started the company during the pandemic. I’ve had the pleasure of growing up with this sweet treat and felt everyone else should get the chance to enjoy a piece of our culture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’d be lying if I said it’s been a tough journey, but yes, there have been some bumps in the road. As it’s not my only business, starting businesses are always rough. They require a transitioning period, a learning curve, resilience, and determination. I think the love I have for all of my individual businesses make the above struggle somewhat easier. I’ve never started businesses for the money and have always been driven by love or passion. So, with that being said, the hurdles are tough, but the motive behind the business has kept me going and staying optimistic.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to the more creative aspect of industries. I also own a salon suite, in which my creativity and artistry is in hair form. I’ve been a cosmetologist for over 10 years now and love what I do. I’d say I specialize in being a people person. I love connecting with people and forming relationships which is what it’s all about in the end. I’d say I’m most proud of running my businesses with integrity and not letting greed or money be the controlling factor. Because of this, I can still say to this day that I run my businesses honestly, and I love what I do, even after all these years. I think that alone sets me apart from others. Today everyone is looking for the next best thing, get rich quick schemes, or whatever is going to make them the most money. Personally, that has never been a driving force for me, and I think that is how I’ve built some of the relationships I have today.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is doing what makes me happy which in turn means doing what I love. Life is so short, nothing is guaranteed. Really understanding that has led me to where I am today. I’m not perfect, but I strive to follow the happiness course as much as possible, and I’m grateful for where it’s brought me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.local-sweets.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_localsweets
- Other: tiktok.com/_localsweets
