Meet Megan Cyrulewski | Entrepeneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Cyrulewski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
There is a Hawaiian saying, “Kokoa Aku. Kokua Mai.”. It means, “Help others. Be Helped.”

Covid hit the world and left us locked down. Businesses had to adapt. Retailers had to adapt. We had to adapt. And to adapt meant we became remote. Amazon sales skyrocketed. Instacart delivered groceries right to our porch. Door Dash and Grub Hub brought restaurants to our dining rooms, and that was great! But it’s now 2022 and we still rely on Amazon and other big-name companies.

What about small businesses? Look around your own community and count the number of stores who had to close during Covid. For those who were lucky enough to make it are still struggling.
We have touted the” American Dream” for centuries. America is the place to” make it.”. Work, save enough money and open your own store.

So, they did. They were able to do that because of the community where they lived. And not only did they own their own business, but they also thrived because of community.

That is what this new endeavor is all about. It is a platform for small businesses. Whether your business is online, you have a store, or you sell your products in a store. Our motto is, “We are the Amazon for small businesses.”.

We need to support small businesses who have been through so much. We need to help.
It is time to embrace the spirit of Kokoaaku.

What should our readers know about your business?
My backstory is really interesting. I was a typical college graduate in 2001 with the sole purpose of getting a job so I could move out of my parents’ house. My first job was at United Way in Detroit and for the next 8 years, I had 4 different jobs at 4 different nonprofits. When the recession hit in 2008, I decided to go to law school. It took me an extra year because while in law school, I was married, had a baby, filed for divorce because my marriage was abusive (which I had kept secret from everyone), I was hospitalized for postpartum depression twice and had to get a personal protection order against my ex-husband because he physically assaulted me.

I only took the Bar once and missed passing by 10 points. While I was waiting for my Bar results, I became certified as a Mediator. Between 2014-2020, I dabbled in Mediation and Legal Document Review. Then Covid hit and lockdown in Michigan was enforced on March 14, 2020. My daughter finished 3rd grade and all of 4th grade virtually.

When she went back to school, I worked as a freelance legal document reviewer until I was hired as a Legal Recruiter. I love my job. I get to find dreams jobs for my clients. The idea to start an online business wasn’t even on my radar until Heather and I began our discussions. Now, I am absolutely thrilled with this new endeavor. It’s a challenge and I LIVE for challenges.

My other fulltime job is being a single mom to my 11-year-old daughter. As a parent, it’s my job to make sure she goes to school, does her homework, cheer her on during sports games. I am so privileged to be her mom. She makes me proud every day,

Kokoaaku is a different type of job. It fulfills my passion of helping others. Kokoaaku is something I need to do for myself, and I can’t wait to see it soar.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many things to do in Michigan that a week isn’t long enough! Let’s say the week is a Friday-Friday.

First, I would spend a weekend on Mackinac Island. The Mackinac Bridge connects the lower peninsula to the upper peninsula (or the UP as Michiganders call it.) The only way to the island is by ferry. Cars or any type of motor vehicle is strictly prohibited on the island. While on the island, a visit to Fort Mackinac is a must-see tourist attraction. A horse-drawn carriage ride is approximately two hours and takes you to important landmarks on the island. We would leave on Sunday and drive back down to the metro-Detroit area.

On Monday, Greenfield Village is one of my favorite places in the world. There is an indoor museum which includes historical items like the chair that Lincoln was shot in at Ford’s Theatre, Kennedy’s car when he was assassinated, and one of the first full-size locomotives. The outdoor museum is like no other you have ever seen. As you walk through the gates of Greenfield Village, you step back in time. There are over 40 original buildings to tour such as the first courthouse where Lincoln practiced law, Thomas Webster’s house, Thomas Edison’s laboratory and two farms with livestock.

On Tuesday, a Detroit Tigers game is a must. Baseball is like a religion here in Michigan. The Tigers will probably lose but we’re used to it. The games are still packed with fans hoping for a win. (That also goes for the Lions, Pistons and Red Wings.)

On Wednesday, Frankenmuth is next. It’s a city 45 minutes north of Detroit. It’s sometimes called “Little Bavaria.” It’s modeled after a German Village. Zehnder’s is the best place for the best chicken you will ever eat. In fact, everything they make is delicious. The next place to go is Bronner’s, which is the biggest Christmas store in the world. They have sections of ornaments divided by country. If you want to find a pierogi ornament, go to the Poland section. Buckingham Palace? England is the place to look. You will also see beautifully decorated trees throughout the store. And, if you want your ornament engraved, you can get that done while you shop.

On Thursday, it’s back to Detroit to walk around the city. Some people still think Detroit is a dangerous city and that’s a shame. We are proud of our city. If you walk along Detroit River on the promenade and look forward, you can see Canada clear as day. (You can even take the bridge or tunnel to Canada from Detroit.) There are a ton of new stores opening downtown such as Shinola and Nike. We also have one-of-a-kind boutiques that sell Detroit apparel. And of course, when you are in Detroit, you must eat at Coney Island. Grab a Coney hot dog topped with chili, onions and mustard and get ready for your taste buds to thank you!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My friend and mentor throughout this entire process is Heather Marianna. How we met is kind of a cool story. Heather and I were in an online group with other women and during one of the sessions, I became emotional during the discussions. After the session was over, Heather sent me a message via FB Messenger and asked for my phone number.

I knew Heather because I followed her on Instagram and love her Beauty Kitchen products. So, for Heather, a well-known figure in entertainment and business, to take the time to call me, someone she doesn’t even know, was really special. We instantly clicked and now we text multiple times a day!

So, one day, we randomly talked about small businesses. Heather knows I’ve always been a huge supporter of small businesses and I told her I wish I knew a way to support them more. the more we talked, the more ideas poured out of us to the point where we knew we had something.

The idea of Kokoaaku was born that day and Heather has been helping me ever since. She encourages me when I feel down, she supports me when I feel lost, and she makes me laugh with her wicked sense of humor! Heather has become one of my closest friends and I love her to pieces!

Website: www.kokoaaku.com

Instagram: @kokoaaku

Twitter: @Kokoaaku22

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086790083368

Other: The website is private until launch day, which as it stands right now will be January 15, 2023.

Image Credits
Beach picture – Mine Kokoaaku picture – Neil (He doesn’t want his last name to be used) Quote from stock pictures on Google