KS Alumni business owner makes room for giving

Kamuela Ku Potter KSK’82, owner of Inspired Closets Hawai‘i

As a successful business owner, Kamuela Ku Potter KSK’82 embraces her kuleana to give back to the next generation of Native Hawaiian learners who are poised to become tomorrow’s ‘ōiwi leaders.

Potter is a Kamehameha Schools “lifer,” completing the 13-year journey from kindergarten through 12th grade before going on to study engineering at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She eventually realized that engineering was not the right fit and pivoted to the field of communications while working for local clothing giant Crazy Shirts.

“I started as a stock person, and 20-something years later, after working a variety of positions, I ended up as regional manager,” Potter says. “It was a fabulous company, but when ownership changed, I moved on and found myself wondering what I was going to do. A friend suggested that I help her remodel her house and look into closet organizers.” 

Potter agreed, and from there, she formulated the concept for what would become Inspired Closets Hawai‘i and continues to run the business more than two decades later with her husband, Brent. The Potters also make it a priority to give back to their community and are generous donors to the Pauahi Foundation. They recently contributed to the Mānowai Scholarship Fund, an innovative giving opportunity that helps solve the ever-increasing need for post-secondary educational support.

Kamuela Ku Potter KSK’82 along with husband and business partner, Brent, and members of the Inspired Closets Hawai‘i team at their Kaka‘ako showroom.

 

“When I started the business, we started as Organized Hawai‘i and I worked with a manufacturer in Michigan – and I’m still with the same manufacturer!” Potter says. “The business has been continuous, and we love what we do. When I started out, what I enjoyed doing was helping people with their homes. Hawai‘i’s homes are very small, and so are the closets, so you have ‘x’ amount of space, so our business helps people maximize what space they have; it’s been a lot of fun over the years.”

Potter recalls her early days with the company as the lead salesperson and installer with one helper. Fast forward to today, and Inspired Closets Hawai‘i has grown to include 20 employees, while serving all major islands across the state. 

“We all have the same level of commitment to helping people, and just looking around the showroom, there are options for everybody,” Potter says. “All walks of life, all members of the family and diverse types of people is what we’re going for as far as who we serve. We can work with any size home as we help someone imagine and bring their dream closet to reality.” 

At the Inspired Closets Hawai‘i showroom on the second floor of the ‘Ewa-makai building of SALT at Our Kaka‘ako on ‘Āina Pauahi, existing clients and potential customers are transported to a world of possibilities when it comes to storage – from elaborate walk-in closets to innovative kitchen spaces and space-saving garage and hobby nooks. 

“The whole purpose of the showroom is for people who walk in the front door to imagine something beyond what they may actually be able to in their house or apartment,” Potter explains. “It inspires people.” 

Inspired Closets Hawai‘i showcases everything from Murphy beds, which are space savers and allow a room to be used for two purposes, to closets that are more practical in size. There are also reimagined garage units, and transforming furniture including sofas and desk units.

“We sell quite a bit of these transformational furniture elements to people who are in studios, such as those in Kaka‘ako,” Potter says. “A lot of the buildings have smaller footprints so they can have multiple uses in a single room. It’s fun, and when people come through, they can see ideas come to life versus just looking at it on paper. They can feel and see features and find out what they enjoy.” 

Potter adds that what she enjoys most about the business is “helping people realize what they could do in their house. A lot of times, they can’t do it all at once, but they can start and go from there. We’ve had clients that started with us 20 years ago, and now I’m doing their second homes, meaning they’ve upgraded. For some, I’m doing their children’s homes!”

As a Native Hawaiian business owner, Potter makes it a priority to maintain her connection to the local community and give back to support others.

“Going to Kamehameha Schools made a really big impact on me,” Potter says. “In hindsight, you look back and understand the legacy once you’ve gone through it, especially after moving on to run a business. It’s an honor to give back and I’m humbled by it. I come from a place where when you give, you don’t talk about it and do it for the right reason. Ke Ali‘i Pauahi wanted us to be industrious, so it’s truly a gift to be able to give back.”

While there are many worthy local charitable foundations and causes throughout Hawai‘i, Potter says that the choice to give to the Pauahi Foundation was an easy one.

“The Pauahi Foundation is the continuing legacy of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi and generations of Hawaiians who have gone to Kamehameha Schools,” Potter says. “All the memories from the time you’re a small child, to this day, you don’t take for granted the excellent education you receive. Understanding your culture and her beliefs, that instills character in in students. So, when I was asked to consider giving, I always wanted to and I’m glad the Pauahi Foundation asked. I should have done it sooner!”

Potter explains that she has made it a priority to include giving in her future business plans.

“There’s sincerity behind everyone who’s involved with the Pauahi Foundation,” she says. “As the business grows, we will give more. The student beneficiaries of the scholarships are important and I’m glad I was asked to give.”

Potter consistently goes back to Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s wish for her estate to uplift generations of “good and industrious” members of the community.

“That perspective of inspiring leaders, I think it's really important,” Potter says. “It’s important to give back to your community. As a business owner, I know that I contribute not just to the 20 people that work for me, but also their families and beyond. What we do as a business makes an impact, and our reputation is everything, so I really take that to heart. 

“For leaders in the community, if you establish yourself and you are giving back to your community with a purpose – whether you’re a business owner, or a doctor or a teacher. Whatever you believe in, you deliver on that with your integrity that comes with being part of our overall lāhui and Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s legacy.”