Maui Chapter Meeting with Saedene Ota and Rachelle Ouye

Topic: Telling Your Story – How to Build a Stronger Brand Through Strategy and Research

Your brand is more than just a logo—it’s your story, family values, and the connection you build with your audience. This session explores the power of rebranding and brand awareness, helping family businesses align their business goals with a strong, authentic brand identity.

Learn how to leverage your family’s history and identifying key stories that can differentiate your brand, along with the benefits of rebranding and how to assess if your business is ready for change.

We’ll also discuss what to consider before hiring a marketing firm and the right questions to ask to ensure a good fit. Plus, discover tech tools that can help you conduct market research and better understand your audience.

Hope that you’ll join us for a practical conversation on creating a brand that reflects your business’s identity, history, and long-term vision.

Speakers: Saedene Ota (Owner & Creative Director, Sae Design Group) and Rachelle Ouye (Client Success Manager & Creative Assistant, Sae Design Group)

Saedene Ota is the owner and creative director of Sae Design Group, a graphic design and visual marketing agency based on the Island of Maui. With over 29 years of experience, she has received numerous accolades in design, graphics, and marketing. A prominent business leader and active community member, Ms. Ota serves on the boards of Central Pacific Bank, the Maui Health Foundation, and the Maui Economic Development Board. She previously served as president of Maui Thing LLC and continues to offer valuable insight into the needs of small businesses across the state.

Ms. Ota holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Packaging from the ArtCenter College of Design and a Master of Business Administration in Design Strategy from the California College of the Arts.

Rachelle Ouye is a Client Success Manager and Creative Assistant at Sae Design Group. She is dedicated to keeping her team focused, fostering a positive company culture, and helping existing and potential clients appreciate the value of design in everyday life. Aligned with Sae Design Group’s mission, Rachelle is committed to realizing the potential of the community through thoughtful and impactful design. Beyond her professional role, she cherishes her roles as a mother to her two-year-old son, Tiger, a loving wife to her husband, Kalani, and a friend to everyone she meets. Rachelle also serves on the board as Vice President of The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, where her work honors the Nisei ancestors who paved the way for the community. Additionally, as the Maui Representative for the Ma’i Movement, she is devoted to combating period poverty in Hawaii.