The Shift #3: Khara Mangiduyos of Kalei’s Kitchenette

In this inspiring episode of The Shift, Kasey sits down with Khara Mangiduyos, co-owner of Kalei’s Kitchenette, a Hawaiian fusion restaurant in San Diego, California. What started as a humble farmer’s market pop-up evolved into a full-service catering business, and eventually a thriving brick-and-mortar restaurant. But the journey wasn’t always sunny.

Khara shares the real story behind the financial chaos they faced early on and the game-changing moment they discovered Profit First. She breaks down how implementing the system not only brought clarity and stability to their finances, but also strengthened her marriage and gave them the confidence to grow.

From weathering seasonal lulls to paying taxes with excitement (yes, really), Khara’s story is a must-listen for any restaurateur looking to build sustainability without sacrificing soul. She opens up about choosing clarity over denial, embracing operational structure, and how a solid financial foundation enabled her and Chef Andy to scale with purpose - and aloha.

Key Moments:
+ The move from farmers market to catering to a restaurant
+ The brutal truth about early-stage financial disorganization
+ Why Profit First gave them peace of mind and fewer money fights
+ The surprising joy of paying taxes
+ Why clarity - not just spreadsheets - makes the real difference
+ Long-term thinking: real estate, retirement, and future-proofing