It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here, since when I have paying clients this ‘fun’ blog gets back-burner status, but when I saw a post about this new made-on-Maui natural and reef-friendly sunscreen, I just had to interview them!
Below is my interview with Maja Liotta, CEO and Founder of SolKine
Maui Made: How did you get the idea for your company?
Maja: I had been making beauty products for as long as I can remember. From sugar scrubs with fragrant essential oils to even soap made from rendered pork fat, I have always been someone whose mind is always thinking about how I can elevate a product or food and make it better. I am also a private chef so I am comfortable manipulating ingredient ratios to achieve a beneficial result. I had been making sunscreen for four years for my own family and had been sharing it with various moms on the beaches. With some encouragement and the help of my awesome packaging, branding and website designer, SolKine got a “look” and a following as we promote and share our product with tons of north shore groms and their families.
MM: What are the difficulties of running a business on Maui?
ML: Shipping costs!!! Getting materials here is a huge annoyance- nothing comes cheap to Maui and it takes forever!!
MM: What are the best parts of running a business on Maui?
ML: We get to live in paradise AND have a successful business plus every person on the island desperately needs a reef safe suncare product.
MM: What’s next for your company?
ML: We opened a bay area headquarters and are excited to start getting product to the west coast and the eastern seaboard and beyond! We are also launching a high alpine product “SolKine Alpine” as the original recipe of this product was inspired by the harshest of elements while my family and I lived in the high rockies at 9000ft elevation.
MM: Where can people buy your product?
ML: Right now, our e-commerce site is awesome as well as its available at Hi-Tech, Sailboards Maui, Mana Foods and Paia Pit Stop. We are adding new retailers weekly so check our website to see where else we are selling!
Mahalo to Maja for taking the time to give us an interview!
Maui Made 
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