Meet Kyle Cameron | Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Cameron and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting our own business was a unique journey, particularly because Kopa Kauai was originally founded by my remarkable aunt, Jenny, about 15 years ago in the serene landscapes of Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii. Three years ago, when Jenny embraced the joys of grandmotherhood with the arrival of her first grandson, she decided to pass the baton of responsibility to my fiancé, Manami, and me. With her invaluable guidance and blessings, we seamlessly transitioned into the stewardship of Kopa Kauai, carrying forward her legacy with reverence and dedication.

Our thought process was influenced by several key factors. First and foremost, we wanted to honor Jenny’s vision and maintain the high standards she set for our natural, high-quality skincare products. Merging our personal passion for natural skincare and wellness with a business already committed to these values felt like a natural fit. Additionally, we saw an opportunity to expand the reach of Kopa Kauai, sharing the essence of Kauai’s natural beauty with a broader audience through an enhanced online presence and participation in more markets and events.

Maintaining and enhancing the quality of our products was crucial. We take immense pride in our thoughtfully curated ingredients, predominantly organic, and including a harmonious blend of coconut, olive, avocado, and mango butter oils. Our renowned sea salt soaps encapsulate a unique chemistry, enriched with minerals from sea salt, which infuses the skin with glycerin—a moisturizing by-product retained within our handmade soaps, ensuring a luxurious and nourishing bathing experience.

Continuing Jenny’s commitment to sustainability was also a top priority. We ensure our products are free from sulfates, fixatives, preservatives, and other harmful additives, offering a wholly enriching and holistic bathing ritual. Furthermore, strengthening our connection with the community, both locally and among our customers, was essential. This has fostered a sense of shared values and mutual support.

Taking over Kopa Kauai has been a rewarding experience, blending the continuation of a cherished legacy with fresh energy and ideas, all while making a positive impact on our customers and the environment. It has been incredibly fulfilling to see the joy and benefits our products bring to people, and we look forward to continuing this journey of wellness and rejuvenation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Kopa Kauai’s creation is deeply rooted in a passion for natural body care and a commitment to quality. What sets us apart from others is our unique sea salt soap. The chemistry behind our sea salt soaps makes them so special and beloved by our customers.

The minerals in the sea salt help the skin absorb the glycerin, the moisturizing by-product created during the soap-making process. Unlike many commercial soaps where the glycerin is extracted and sold off as a commodity, the glycerin in our handmade soaps remains intact, providing a luxurious quality that people love about handmade soap.

Contrary to what you might expect from a bar of soap made with salt, our sea salt soaps are not exfoliating. They have a low, lotion-like lather and smooth out like a beautifully polished stone when wet. They also tend to last longer than traditional soaps; they don’t ‘melt’ or make a mess without a soap draining dish and don’t leave a film on shower walls. Plus, our soaps are free from sulfates, fixatives, preservatives, foaming agents, artificial colors, emulsifiers, phthalates, petroleum products, and more—salt takes care of it all.

Because salt is a powerful natural preservative, we can add heavier and more oils to our recipe, resulting in a beautifully moisturizing bar. These soaps are good for the whole body; we call them the ultimate shower soap. The ingredients in Kopa Kauai’s sea salt soaps are mostly organic and made from the luscious oils of coconut, olive, avocado, and mango butter.

We are most proud of the positive impact our products have on our customers. Hearing their stories of how our soaps have improved their skin and well-being is incredibly rewarding. We’re also excited about continuing to innovate and expand our product line while maintaining the high standards that our customers have come to expect.

Our journey to becoming professionals in this field is ongoing, and we still have much to learn. Taking over Kopa Kauai from Jenny involved a steep learning curve, as we had to quickly adapt to running a business while maintaining the quality and integrity of the products. There have been challenges along the way, such as understanding the intricacies of sourcing high-quality ingredients, managing production, and expanding our market reach.

To overcome these challenges, we relied heavily on the support of each other, our family, and our community. We also sought advice from mentors and industry experts, which helped us navigate through difficult times. One of the key lessons we’ve learned is the importance of perseverance and adaptability. Being open to learning and growing from every experience has been crucial to our progress.

We want the world to know that Kopa Kauai is more than just a brand; it’s a story of dedication, passion, and a commitment to providing the best natural body care products. Our journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of community, and the impact of quality and care in everything we do. We are dedicated to continuing this legacy and sharing the beauty and benefits of our products with the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting the area for a week, I would want to give them an unforgettable experience showcasing the best of what our beautiful region has to offer. Here’s a little itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Ventura
Stroll along Ventura Pier and Promenade to enjoy the stunning ocean views. Finish the day with dinner with ocean view.

Day 2: Explore the Outdoors
Head to Channel Islands National Park for a day of hiking, kayaking, and exploring the natural beauty. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on one of the islands, then return to Ventura for a relaxed dinner.

Day 3: Beach and Wildlife
Begin the day by visiting the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary to see the seals in their natural habitat. Have lunch at Beach House Tacos, then spend the afternoon relaxing at Rincon Beach. Finish the day with dinner, enjoying great food and a view of the marina.

Day 4: Day Trip to Santa Barbara
Take a scenic drive to Santa Barbara. Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo, explore the historic Stearns Wharf, and enjoy a leisurely walk through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Have lunch at a local café, and end the day with dinner at a waterfront restaurant before heading back to Ventura.

Day 5: Relaxation in Ojai
Drive to Ojai Valley, starting with breakfast at The Dutchess. Visit Ojai Olive Oil Company for a tasting and explore the charming town. Make a stop at Summer Camp, one of Manami’s favorite places in Ojai. Return to Ventura for a quiet, relaxed dinner at our yard.

Day 6: Markets and Local Flavors
Start with breakfast, then spend the day visiting the weekend farmers market and craft market to explore local produce and handmade goods. Have lunch at a local food truck or café.

Day 7: Farewell Day
Spend a leisurely morning at Ventura Beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean. Have a farewell lunch and if time permits, catch a live show at the Majestic Ventura Theater in the evening.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! Our journey with Kopa Kauai has been profoundly shaped by the support, mentorship, and encouragement of several key individuals and groups. First and foremost, we want to dedicate our shoutout to Jenny, Kyle’s remarkable aunt, who founded Kopa Kauai and entrusted us with her legacy. Her passion for natural skincare and her unwavering commitment to quality set the foundation for everything we do.

We also want to express our deepest gratitude to each other. The partnership and dedication we share have been crucial to navigating the challenges and celebrating the successes along the way. Our combined efforts and support for one another keep us motivated and inspired.

In addition, we are deeply thankful for our family and friends, whose love and encouragement have been invaluable. Their belief in us has kept us motivated and inspired throughout our journey.

Furthermore, we owe a great deal of our success to our loyal customers and the local community. Their support and feedback have been instrumental in helping us refine and improve our products. Their enthusiasm for our sea salt soaps continues to drive us forward.

A special mention goes to the market organizers who support small businesses like ours. Their efforts in creating opportunities for small vendors to showcase their products have been crucial in helping us grow and reach new customers.

Our journey has been a collective effort, and we are incredibly grateful for the support and contributions of everyone involved.

Website: https://www.kopakauai.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kopakauai/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kopakauai