With a fierce entrepreneurial spirit, a bachelor’s degree in business, and experience in restaurant management and retail marketing, Emily was well-prepared for business ownership, but she faced a daunting challenge: Stargardt disease – an inherited condition that causes progressive vision loss. With the help of Hawaii’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Business Enterprise Program, Emily received the training and assistive technology she needed to launch Bites & Bev, a modern snack shop in the Hawaii State Capitol Building.
“As my vision loss progressed, I began looking for a career that would offer more independence and long-term stability. Through Vocational Rehabilitation and the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program, I was able to receive the training, guidance, and support needed to turn my goal of owning a business into a reality. The program gave me a clear direction and the confidence to become a small business owner, and I am very grateful for the opportunities and support it has provided."
To learn more about Emily’s bustling business at the Capitol, click here.