Building Before the Leap

"I realized everything I had been building was preparing me for this jump and growth."

– Lauren Melendez, founder of Piko Therapy

When Lauren Melendez joined Kūkolu's Indigenous Women's Incubator, Piko Therapy was only a few months old. At the same time, she was earning her clinical licensure while working full-time. Like many early-stage entrepreneurs, she often questioned whether she was making meaningful progress toward the practice she envisioned.

Throughout her three years in Kūkolu, Lauren focused on strengthening the foundation of her business. She became credentialed with insurance providers, developed financial projections, established intake systems, and built the operational workflows needed to support long-term growth. While the progress wasn't always visible, every step was preparing her for the future.

In April 2026, following the loss of her mother-in-law and a desire to spend more time supporting families through life's most difficult moments, Lauren made the decision to dedicate herself fully to Piko Therapy. Within three weeks, her client caseload grew from seven to twenty-two weekly sessions, confirming that the years of preparation had created a strong foundation for growth.

Today, Lauren is preparing to welcome additional therapists to her practice, expanding access to culturally grounded mental health care for Hawaiʻi's families. Her story reflects the power of thoughtful preparation, intentional planning, and the confidence to take the next step when the time is right.