This is the first of a series of profiles of Small Business Hawaii's Young Entrepreneurs. Helen Rapoza is the owner of HelenÕs Haven, a unique facial salon located in Kahala. Helen is a member of the Steering Committee for YES (Young Entrepreneur Subcommittee).

The first thing that you notice about Helen Rapoza when you meet her is her professionalism, positive attitude and boundless energy. Born on July 21, 1962 in Long Island, New York, Helen wanted to be an emergency room doctor. She started college at the University of Washington, where she decided that she did not want to be in school for the rest of her life. No education is ever wasted, and the biology and chemistry courses that she took are helpful in her current business. Helen has worked in the beauty industry since she was 17 years old. She worked to put herself through college in jobs as a make-up artist and doing retail sales for Revlon. She also went to school and became licensed by the Board of Cosmetology. Spending 550 hours in apprenticeship, she expanded on her knowledge about skin care and make-up.

Helen credits the good training she received at a salon where she worked as a solid basis for her success. She did not feel that there was enough quality customer service in that salon. It has an "assembly line" feel, rather than personalized service and attention. When Helen saw that the salon's customers were unhappy, she decided to look for other opportunities. When her employer found out that she was looking elsewhere, Helen's position was terminated. Helen's response was simply "I'll start my own business!"

Believing that her business was really meant to happen, Helen jumped right in. Within a week of leaving her job, she secured a location and got her business loan approval. She got her business insurance on a Friday and on the following Wednesday, the salon burnt down. It was scheduled to open just two days later. Undaunted, Helen had to rebuild, which took another month, but Helen's Haven opened.

"Starting the business was a nightmare," Helen said. The legal issues, paperwork and bureaucracy had her believing that the State of Hawaii did not want her to have a business here. Being classified as a beauty salon by the state required approval from the State Engineer, Department of Health, and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This process took more than two and one half months. Nevertheless, she learned when to be patient and how to assert herself to get things done.

Helen's Haven has been open for 15 months now and delivers highly personalized service to the clientele. "My clients feel at peace when they walk in. They leave their problems at the door." The decor of Helen's Haven promotes a healthy and relaxed atmosphere. Helen believes that if you look good, you feel good.

"A bad hair day is a bad business day." Helen's Haven offers an escape from the stress of working and life. When clients get pampered and waited on, they can become more productive. Helen likens the time spent receiving a facial to a "mini vacation."

Helen plans to expand her business into a body massage, manicures and pedicures. Her clients are very supportive. She talks about the good advice she has received, as well as the referrals and emotional support that her clients continue to provide. Helen maintains regular contact with her clients and is rightfully proud of the fact that she has maintained their business. She believes that there is no excuse for losing a client.

Her suggestion for anyone thinking about starting a business is to "get every handout you can and make an appointment with a SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Counselor. Use the resources that are available free of charge. They've already done it!" She also recommends active membership with Small Business Hawaii as a way to increase and enhance business. Why is she involved with YES? "It's my turn to give back and help others."

When asked how she keeps going, Helen responds, "You just keep going. You do what needs to be done. The buck stops here. I am the boss." She also adds that she gets a massage once a week!