After starting one of the fastest growing companies in America, Alan Akina (pictured top), has decided to finish the degree he started at BYU–Hawaii more than a decade ago.
Akina started 101Financial in his fourth year of college after playing his last season of basketball and has been expanding the business ever since. 101 Financial is a financial educational company based on the North Shore that offers education on budgeting, debt management and building credit.
"I really enjoy working and seeing the business grow. It is so exciting to see it go from an idea to one of the fastest growing companies in America," said Akina, who is the sole owner of the company.
101 Financial was recently put on the Inc. 500 list of the top 500 fastest growing companies in America. Past companies that have been on the list include sports clothing company Under Armor and Microsoft.
101 Financial is only the third company from Hawaii to ever make the list since 1989, according to Inc. Magazine. "I started working on it in 2002 but got all the paperwork and stuff done and officially started in 2003," said Akina.
Once the business was rolling, Akina devoted himself to making the business what it is today and was not able to finish up his degree at that time. "I was so close to finishing but got busy with the business and just never did it," said Akina.
Throughout the years Akina has been encouraged by past professors on campus to get his degree. "Several people have been encouraging me to go back. Every time I see Coach K, he's like 'When you going to finish up?' "
According to Norman Kaluhiokalani, who is known as Coach K at BYU–Hawaii, they have been friends for a long time and Akina has always been willing to listen to him.
"Even though his degree does not necessarily relate to what he is doing now, he will always regret it if he does not finish.... I am going to be very proud of him when he finishes," said Kaluhiokalani.
Akina will be earning a degree in biology this fall. "It's not like it's going to change my life now, but it is the principle of completing the task is all. I want to set a good example for my kids." Akina has five children, ages one to 11, and said that he wants them to understand the importance of education and finishing what you start.
The idea of starting a company that would eventually be on Inc. 500's list came to him years ago: "About 10 years ago I made a dream board. It was a huge board where I put pictures of all the things I wanted in life. One of them was to work from home, and I always thought it would be cool to make it on that list [Inc. 500]."
To fellow classmates and aspiring entrepreneurs, Akina advises: "Finish school. Don't wait. Learn as much as you can now. You will draw upon it later."
He also mentioned the importance of networking while in college. "I have relied heavily on college classmates. One of my best referrals from Microsoft came from a friend from college. Utilize your contacts from school. It comes back around."
Akina and a few select employees will fly out to Washington D.C. for the Inc. 500 award ceremony on September 23.
--Photo courtesy of Alan Akina