Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwen Kennedy.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
On the train heading into the city 34 years ago, to report to my full-time job at Hawaiian Airlines Sales Office on Wabash Avenue in Chicago, it popped into my head:
“The Barefoot Hawaiian.” That’s how the business “happened.”
I began dancing Hula from age 2 and ½, appearing on the stages throughout my youth, at all the local Polynesian Restaurants in Chicago: Honolulu Harry’s Club Waikiki, Trader Vics, Kon Tiki Ports, Edgewater Beach, Shanghai Lil’s , Kona Kai and more. My path was set ~ Hawaii was my focus. Teaching hula in my mom’s basement from the age of 14 lead the way to finally opening the doors of The Barefoot Hawaiian location in Des Plaines on July 23, 1983. My mother and I took the risk of operating this small family-run business – Hula Studio, Entertainment Booking Office and Hawaiian Shop.
I will never forget – because our funds were minimal to get started, we did all we could to advertise. Ten years down the road, in 1993, I entered Chicago’s Radio Station WLIT “Entrepreneur of the Year” Essay Contest …….and WON! The prize was what we needed – $3,000 of Office Furniture! (All we had was a used desk and some chairs!)
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles have been few, but as most small family businesses have endured, we rode the waves of extreme economic downturns and the surge of internet business. I personally sacrificed a “normal” lifestyle to keep the engines running.
The Barefoot Hawaiian – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in providing entertainment for corporate events and parties with a tropical spin. With dancers, musicians, fire dancers, lei greeters and Polynesian entertainers, our bookings spread from East to West. We celebrate our 19th year in Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and in our book of accomplishments, even Oprah Winfrey hired us for her Employee Maui Trip Giveaway event!
The Barefoot Hawaiian, being the pioneer of Hawaiian Entertainment Companies in the Midwest has been the place most entertainers in this arena have been at one time or another.
Whether just learning hula for the first time or finding work through our company as a Polynesian Entertainer, we have been the “home base” for many a transplanted Hawaiian as their Island Away from Home. We are proud of the fact that each year our troupe numbers over 50 entertainers at one time and that we perform in over 600 shows annually.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I will always remember doing the Hula as the youngest performer at Honolulu Harry’s Club Waikiki on Wilson Avenue in Chicago, looking up to all the grownups – dancers and musicians who came from Hawaii to Chicago. And I cannot forget doing one show at a VFW at the age of 5 and earning 25 pennies!
Contact Info:
- Address: The Barefoot Hawaiian, Inc.
1401 E. Oakton Street
Des Plaines, Il 60018 - Website: WWW.BAREFOOTHAWAIIAN.COM
- Phone: 847/699-7336
- Email: BAREFOOTHAWAIIAN@SBCGLOBAL.NET
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