MANOA, HI (KHON2) — At just 16, Leah Dakroub, a homeschooled artist from Manoa, is making waves with her art and entrepreneurial spirit through her business, “Mahea Leah.”
Inspired by her creative and entrepreneurial family — her father, a chef, and her mother, a grant writer and tech entrepreneur — Leah’s passion for art started when she was only six years old.
Now 16, Leah showcases her talent by creating unique designs that embrace her Native Hawaiian heritage.
Her products, including pins and stickers, reflect the cultural richness she’s proud to be a part of.
“I wanted to embrace (Hawaiian culture) through art,” Leah said, explaining the motivation behind her designs.
At age 10, Leah’s entrepreneurial journey began when she published a book that teaches children about emotions through the metaphor of a flower’s changing feelings.
The book, “A Feeling Flower,” has inspired young readers across Hawaii and is available on Amazon.
“I get videos from my Aunty, who is a teacher, showing kids reading my book to each other,” Leah said. “It makes me feel great, like a mentor or teacher for them.”
While balancing schoolwork and running a business is no easy feat, Leah believes success isn’t about money.
“Success to me is not really money. It’s that if I can keep coming up with ideas and the fact it gets me to go places? That’s success to me,” she said.
Leah’s advice to aspiring young entrepreneurs is simple. “Don’t let your thoughts interfere with your ideas and dreams. If you need help, there are so many people who will support you—even me!”
With big dreams of selling her products at the Merrie Monarch Festival and the Made in Hawaii Festival, Leah invites everyone to explore her creations on Etsy and Instagram under “Mahea Leah.”
And if you see her at a farmers market, she hopes you’ll stop by to say hello.