Meli James: Mana Up Cohort, Entrepreneurship and Empowering Hawaii’s Economy

I had so much fun sitting down with Meli James co-founder of Mana Up, a Hawaii-based product business accelerator and venture fund Meli aimed at diversifying the local economy and creating jobs. Born and raised in Honolulu, Meli spent over a decade in Silicon Valley, where she co-founded startups like Nirvino, a top-ranked wine app. We discuss her journey from Silicon Valley to Hawaii, the creation and success of Mana Up, and her tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Join us for an inspiring conversation about innovation, resilience, and the power of community-driven business. Follow Begin with Shaolin: Instagram: @beginwithshaolin Youtube: @beginwithshaolin Tiktok: @beginwithshaolin https://www.beginwithshaolin.com/ Follow Shaolin: Instagram: @studioshaolin Youtube: @studioshaolin Tiktok: @studio.shaolin https://www.studioshaolin.com/ Follow Mana Up: Instagram: @manauphawaii https://manauphawaii.com Follow Meli: Instagram: @melijames Listen to "Begin with Shaolin" Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/begin-with-shaolin/id1730687123 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01tMPQDv5HkATq1wVswcyc?si=913239cc913141a5