Kellie Gutheil-Lee

Waialua Growers, LLC is a family-owned farm that has been independently operating since 2019, specializing in growing and distributing high-quality, organic culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. Co-owned by Kellie Gutheil-Lee and her husband, the business began in 2017 when Kellie was offered land in Haleiwa, Hawaii, by friends who were looking for someone to take over their farm. After gaining valuable experience working with a Seattle-based company coordinating shipments from Hawaii farms to the contiguous U.S., Kellie decided to take on the challenge of running the farm herself. Waialua Growers has since expanded to include 13 employees and serves major stores such as Safeway, Times Supermarkets, Don Quijote, and Whole Foods Market, as well as small, local food service businesses like Tali’s Bagels and Schmear, Fatto a Mano, The Local General Store, and Valentina’s Pizza. 

Despite the company’s success, Kellie found herself struggling with a lack of business support specific to the farming industry. While there were ample resources available for agricultural aspects like crop management and pest control, she had difficulty navigating the financial and operational side of running a farm-based enterprise. The constant demand of the business left little time to focus on strategic growth and long-term sustainability. 

In search of guidance, Kellie connected with YWCA Oʻahu and enrolled in the YWahine in Business Accelerator. Led by instructor Mariko Gordon, the program provided Kellie with a structured approach to understanding and managing her business’s financial health. Over the course of several weeks, Kellie gained confidence in reading and analyzing financial statements, managing cash flow, and making informed decisions. Through one-on-one coaching with Mariko, Kellie was able to break through a major mental block—realizing that continuous growth isn’t the only measure of success. Instead, she began to see the value in slowing down and stabilizing her business before pursuing further expansion. 

Reflecting on her experience, Kellie shared, “I definitely got a lot out of my one-on-one coaching with Mariko. I always felt like our business had to keep growing and that we weren’t successful unless we continued expanding. Mariko helped me understand that’s not true. So, I’m actually going to take next year off—not necessarily stopping work, but I’m not going to grow my business. I’m going to slow down a little bit and focus more on my mental health, which is something I believe I’ve been neglecting. Mariko really helped solidify for me that this is actually a good thing and not bad for my business.” 

With a new perspective, Kellie is taking a year off from actively expanding Waialua Growers to focus on solidifying its operations and processes. During this time, she plans to enhance the business’s efficiency and experiment with innovative crop options, such as hot peppers and tomatoes, to better serve her existing customers. This thoughtful approach has allowed Kellie to prioritize both her business’s long-term sustainability and her own well-being, setting a strong foundation for future growth when she’s ready. 

Through the support and guidance provided by YWCA Oʻahu, Kellie has been able to strategically plan for her business while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Waialua Growers continues to thrive, and Kellie’s commitment to sustainable success serves as an inspiring example for other business owners navigating similar challenges in balancing growth and personal wellness.