Our Story: A Mom & Daughter Online Business in Hawaiʻi

Sometimes the smallest ideas spark the biggest adventures. In August 2023, we saw a reel of a woman making custom photo magnets and we thought "that looks fun." Little did we know, that simple thought would grow into Aloha Squared—a mom-and-daughter business bringing memories to life with handcrafted photo magnets.

With the guidance of a mentor and a lot of late-night brainstorming, we officially launched our online store in October 2024. The journey wasn’t without challenges—equipment delays, zero business experience, social media struggles, and the constant worry that we were missing something. But every obstacle reminded us why we started: to create something special that captures and celebrates memories and to embrace our creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. 

Being Native Hawaiian, born and raised in Hawaiʻi we’ve always drawn inspiration from our culture and how we were raised. From the mountains to the oceans shown in our photos to the spirit of aloha we share with everyone. Itʻs innate to showcase who we are and where we come from in our business.

What makes our magnets truly special goes beyond their handcrafted quality—it’s the heart behind every order. We started Aloha Squared because we believe memories deserve to be seen and shared every day, not just tucked away on a phone. That’s why we make it easy to upload your favorite photos and turn them into keepsakes to be enjoyed and seen. Each magnet carries a little piece of love and joy, a reminder of the moments and people that mean the most. 

Working together as mother and daughter is an adventure in itself. We’re both creatives who enjoy stepping up to guide ideas into action. We’ve learned to give each other space, share ideas, and celebrate creativity while balancing our lives and running a business. And the best part? Seeing the excitement from our customers. Hearing about the special occasion the magnets are for and knowing we helped create a lasting memory makes us really happy. 

At Aloha Squared, we hope our magnets do more than just decorate your home-they remind you of the moments that matter, bring smiles, and let you carry a little aloha wherever you go.