09/02/2026
TODAY, Happiness U turns 13. Somewhere along the way, I stopped counting the years and started counting the blessings. Every entrepreneur begins with a vision. You imagine what you are going to build, how it will unfold, and what it will eventually become.
Then the journey begins. There are twists and turns, unexpected detours, doors that close, doors you never knew existed that suddenly open, and before long, something entirely different from what you originally imagined has been born.
Sometimes I think a business is a little like a child. You may bring it into the world, but somewhere along the way, it begins to show you what it came here to be. The journey of Happiness U has certainly shown me that.
With a name like Happiness U, people might assume that the road has been joyful and easy. The truth is, these 13 years have held every possible emotion, from moments of deep doubt and despair to opportunities and experiences beyond anything I could have imagined.
There were times when I had no idea how I was going to make it work. I questioned myself, the vision, and almost everything I believed was possible. Yet when I look back now, the difficult moments are not what stand out most. What I remember most are the people, the support, and the wild synchronicities that appeared just when it seemed we might not make it through another month.
There are far too many people to thank, but I especially want to acknowledge the people who helped build and hold Happiness U through its many chapters. Whether you are still with us or your journey has taken you elsewhere, you are part of this story.
Erin Ushijima Yoshikawa has been our Happiness Operations Manager and the one constant through everything. It is no exaggeration to say that without her, there would be no foundation and no glue. We would simply be a pile of very enthusiastic pieces.
Valerie Moriwaki was with us when we opened and stayed with us for a fun five years. Chad Sato was there supporting us from day one, helping us hold hope. Kristin Nicole Lobdell, one of our scholarship students joined our team and became part of Happiness U, greeting our members for many years. Today, Lindy Ishimine our Happiness U Hui community manager and Hazel Revilloza Mendoza, our virtual admin are helping us write the next chapter.
And here in 2026, we now apparently also have 43 AI full-time and part-time employees on the Happiness U organizational chart including Soren, Selara, Mara, Zora, Apollo, Denali and Zenji. They did not make it into the team photo, but perhaps next year. 😂
Thirteen years later, Happiness U is not exactly what I thought it would be. It is so much more. Happy birthday, Happiness U! And thank you to every person who has been part of this long, winding, surprising, sometimes difficult, and deeply meaningful journey.
With deep gratitude,
Alice
P.S. The photo of us in white was taken on opening day. I was smiling, hopeful, and had absolutely no idea what the next 13 years would ask of us, or give to us.
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