Kendra Wong

Kendra Wong is the creative force behind Ken’s Korner, a mom-and-son test kitchen based in Kailua, Oahu. The business began in 2020, almost by accident, when Kendra, a lifelong crack seed enthusiast, started experimenting in her kitchen. Her son recorded her creations and shared them on social media, which quickly led to an overwhelming response and orders from friends. Inspired by the unexpected demand, Kendra’s son designed their logo, launched an Instagram account, and established the business the very next day. 

With no formal business plan, Kendra and her son initially ran to local stores to gather supplies for their first orders. As demand grew, Kendra refined her products, and her other son built their website, marking a turning point for Ken’s Korner. Kendra soon realized she needed to educate herself on how to run a business. She connected with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and enrolled in the YWahine In Business Incubator, along with additional courses on Shopify and Canva to enhance her skills in e-commerce and marketing. 

Today, Ken’s Korner specializes in producing Aunty Kendra’s crack seed li hing-lemon peel-prune mui gummies and signature li hing sauce. The business has expanded its reach beyond Hawaii, with Kendra shipping her signature li hing sauce in bulk to Garden Creamery, an ice cream shop in San Francisco that uses it to create unique flavors for their customers. Locally, Ken’s Korner sells primarily through their online store and at various community events such as the Kakaako Night Market and Kailua Fall Festival. 

Before receiving support from YWCA Oʻahu, Kendra found herself managing the business on her own after her son, who initially set up the company’s online presence and helped manage early orders, moved to Japan. Feeling unprepared to handle the complexities of running a business, Kendra turned to YWCA Oʻahu to gain the knowledge and skills needed to sustain and grow Ken’s Korner. 

Since completing the Incubator, Ken’s Korner has seen steady growth. Although Kendra still runs the business with help from family and friends, she’s preparing to hire employees by early next year. Additionally, Kendra’s participation in the Level Up! Pitch Competition gave her valuable experience in presenting her business to potential investors and refining her business strategy. Although she didn’t win, the exposure and feedback she received were pivotal in the launch of Ken’s Korner Kandy Kart, a new venture where guests can make their own take-home candy favors featuring assorted gummies and toppings. 

YWCA Oʻahu played a crucial role in Kendra’s entrepreneurial journey. Through the Incubator, she received mentorship, education, and personalized business counseling from Noela, Lead Business Counselor and Instructor. Noela helped Kendra focus on what set her business apart, specifically her signature li hing sauce, which has become a central element of her strategy. The comprehensive support from YWCA Oʻahu, including e-commerce and product-based website development courses, equipped Kendra with the skills needed to manage her online sales and grow her business. 

Reflecting on her experience, Kendra shared, “Part of the Incubator is you get several free business counseling sessions with Noela, which I took advantage of. She helped me focus on what would make me sustainable and what sets me apart from the many lemon peel gummy companies out there. The Incubator program has helped me in many ways, but probably the biggest impact was giving me the support and tools I needed to move forward and grow. The team made the dream seem obtainable. That support, along with the connections I made, has been crucial. When you’re an entrepreneur, you need a lot of support and cheerleaders because it’s so easy to get discouraged. They made me believe that it’s actually possible to move forward.”