MIKOH MUSE: Amanda Li-Paige

May 24, 2021

AMANDA Series: Chapter 7 2021 MIKOH
      MUSE Muses come in many forms—artists, models, philanthropists, musicians, and those that have that sparkling spirit that ignites the creation of great things. Muses aren’t just about looks, what they wear, what they have, where they’ve been, or what they’ve accomplished. Muses are inspiring for their hearts, their zest for life, their passions, and what they represent as people.

Amanda Li-Paige is the quintessential MIKOH Muse with her entrepreneurial spirit and infectious drive. As a long-time friend, we have had the pleasure to watch her flourish into an amazing woman full of fierce, female inspiration. Raised on Oahu, Amanda spread her roots to California and created two budding businesses as well as a successful modeling career. With beauty that radiates inside and out, Amanda embodies a modern marvel while remaining incredibly humble and genuine.

In all honesty, school itself didn't really aid in the success. Sure, it helps that I can say I have a degree in marketing and business but it was more of the experience in the structure that college exposed to me that led me to want to own my own business and have control over my time. There is something so much more fulfilling putting time into something that is yours. How has your business degree from Northeastern aided in your successful professional ventures? My best advice is to just figure it out... seems like strange advice but instead of talking about it go and put pen to paper: Start a business plan, youtube, google, research, and do what it takes to make it happen. The greatest motivation for me is I want to end up in Hawaii. Everything I start and do is because I eventually want to be living in my dream house back home in hawaii. SHOP THIS STORY Weston Romper Taiyo Crop Top How is it working with your husband? What is your advice for those starting their own businesses, especially during the current climate? What is your favorite pastime when you’re not working? I love a good work out class, coffee dates (which now i'm not sure if this is work now), going to the beach, and right now renovating my condo. What are you future goals for your businesses and career? I'd love to lend more time to focusing on my modeling career and be reinspired to shoot beautiful images. I feel like I have been seeing it as my pay check that I have slightly lost sight of creating something with a team. For my social media influencing work, I'd love to let go of the wall I put up and share more of my life and what I am working on (which by the way sharing on social media is a job in itself). I want to continue to work with brands that I organically love in my life. Little Lunch- is so new but we have some exciting things in the works, stay tuned in the next couple weeks :). Kirra is the child that needs the attention right now but ultimately my goal would be to roll it out into groceries nation wide! Antibes One Piece How did you become a full-time model? I was scouted when I was a little keiki but I was never pushed into it by my parents. The little side money I made was put towards college and while I was in school at Northeastern in Boston I continued to model as side spending money. When jobs became consistent I was scouted by an even bigger agency called NEXT in Miami. The marketing guru I already was figured out how to jimmy the school system and I somehow convinced my school to give me college credit to move to Miami beach for 6 months to pursue modeling. I explained that this would give me direct insight and valid experience into the marketing field. So I moved to Miami for the season, partied my panda ass off, made great friends, booked some jobs, went to some castings and eventually went back to Boston andfinished college and never moved back. It was such a good experience and gave me even more validity to finish college to have that under my belt. Post graduation I moved to Los Angeles as relocation more so to be closer to Hawaii. I knew Los Angeles lended to job opportunities in marketing but also had a market for modeling. As jobs in LA began to consistently roll in I told myself I would just stack some money doing this since I knew that there was an expiration to it... 10 years later I am still a full time model! What is the biggest challenge of being a woman entrepreneur? I think being a woman, a model and an entrepreneur it is hard for people to take me seriously. There have been so many times where I have sat in a conference of majority men and have addressed topics or answered questions that are my field but am often overlooked until a man repeats the same answers. What is your greatest motivation for all of your projects? Jerrod initially had the idea to be honest- he started taking interest in the beverage space. During this time he was also trying CBD and saw the market open up for CBD beverages. He worked on most of the not as fun stuff and then I came in and did the branding and marketing for it :). Do you have any suggestions on how to stay consistent with clean eating and exercise? It's a mindset and lifestyle change which is SO CLICHE... But IT'S TRUE. Once you incorporate eating and exercising consistently into how you want to live your life and treat your body, your body will start becoming accustomed to eating a certain way and moving. Can you tell us about your husband and wife coffee shop Little Lunch? Jerrod and I took a leap of faith and took over the space in Venice in July during the dead of Covid. We were excited to create a space that could facilitate what we were so lacking all of 2020 which was a community. Jerrod with his carpentry background made the whole place come to life building it with his own hands. My branding and marketing background created an identity for the shop that was fun but also meant more: " Little Lunch" is how the aussies say recess, so we named it little lunch as a place to come and take a break, have a coffee, and catch up with friends. How has social media influenced you as a business owner and model? I have hit a stride in my life where everything is connected. My modeling helps fund my businesses, my influence gets eyes on my businesses and opens me up to a network, Little lunch gives me a place to bring together my network while also holding a shelf for Kirra. What inspired you to create the CBD tea beverage company Kirra? Jerrod and I never fight, I mean literally I could count the number of fights we have ever had. We have a really good understanding of each others strengths and weaknesses and also see each other as being on one team. So no matter what problem arises we know that we are both working towards the same goals. Knowing this, we are able to assist where is needed but also trust the other to make the call if it's in their realm. We call it "staying in our lanes" and it works! Delia Skirt