Working World Inc Home> Howard Afualo's Story

I was born in American Samoa, the youngest of nine. My father, a marine veteran of the Korean War, was a strict disciplinarian. He would present a business concept before us and without much instruction send us to put things into action. We never asked questions, we just obeyed. We had a plantation, growing crops for retail and exporting. We had fishing boats and did that for a spill. We even had buses running the routes thru-out the island. I learned so much from him. He made all of us feel there was nothing we could not do. We were a business family. Not a typical family that sat and visited much. But we were close as we worked and were taught, the Lord gave us sun light to work. So from sun-up to sun-down, work is what we would do. It's all I've ever known.

As our family started to venture into other islands, he sent me and my brand new bride to run our trucking and heavy equipment business in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. No matter how nervous I was to be in new territory, I was excited for the challenge and my father's confidence in me. This paved the way for us to venture into construction and exporting copra also. We had a good run. I've always known the sky was the limit. But, there came a time I felt I was at a plateau and not sure of my next move. My wife, Desiree Malietoa Fitisemanu, who comes from a family that firmly believes in education, always encouraged me from day one to go to school. I, on the other hand had the mind of my own father... why go to school when I'm already doing what I would've gone to school for. We've had many debates on this issue and now when I came to this plateau, my eyes were beginning to open. It was also about this time that my wife caught some sort of virus affecting her whole central nervous system while pregnant with our third child. She spent most of that year hospitalized. After the birth, it was clear that she needed medical attention that wasn't available where we were. After much fasting and prayer, we gave up our venture in Tonga and headed for Hawaii.

While Desiree was going thru re-hab/therapy to strengthen her muscles, re-learn how to write, walk, etc... this was also a new beginning for me as I finally gave in and enrolled at BYU Hawaii. This was in 1996. It was the best move we've ever made. We did get a little side tracked and move to Utah where Desiree's parents and siblings were for a couple of years. It was intended that she would work and support us while I go to school. I never got to school. As we saw many families taking advantage of buying the low cost homes in Utah, we craved to have a home of our own. This led us to both take on employment, forgetting our initial goal to complete school. In 2002, with the birth of our fifth child, it was clear that Desiree would have to stay home to care for our newborn that was born with a very rare metabolic disorder called Holocarboxylase Sythetase. We decided to move back home to American Samoa to enable us to do this and to help the family business out. But just a few months after our move, it was apparent that our baby could not live in American Samoa just yet as we were flying back and forth to Hawaii every other month for medical attention because she would get so sick. We landed in American Samoa in February. In June, we sold everything we shipped home in a container and moved again back to Hawaii.

Now that we were starting over yet again, we knew this was our second chance to do things right. I liken our "side-tracking" to the children of Israel who journeyed for 40 years until the wicked were gone and were finally humbled. I know the Lord led us back to BYU Hawaii to finish what we started. And because we were finally humbled, we were blessed with the blessings we were seeking. It gave me an opportunity to get educated, to obtain the key ingredients missing in my life as a businessman, father and companion. 

The school of business and the entrepreneur program was a great part of this, blessing me with an opportunity to take part in the business plan competition in which my partnership placed 2nd last year. And then this year, my wife entered with me and we made the semi-finals. Although saddened by our placing for the competition, we were elated when Working World, Inc saw our potential and they believed in us. We wanted to be able to go home with a product and service greatly needed in the islands. Namely, something for the family as we were once a family of two, we're now a family of seven. Our children have become our world. It was important for us to return home with a business we can all have fun with and even grow with. We thought as a family that inflatable bouncers were the perfect idea to start with, especially since our kids were always the last ones off them at all the TVA and BYUH activities. Eventually, this venture will lead into family entertainment of all kinds, whether that is an amusement center or facilities to accommodate parties, luaus, weddings, etc. The idea is to explore options of business to bring the family together.

The competition was early in the year. Even before my graduation in June, we were already getting things rolling for our Grand Opening. August 26 & 27, 2005 was X-treme Bounce & Entertainment's Grand Opening in Apia, Samoa. It was a huge success because our support team of Working World, Inc., BYUH Entrepreneurial Program and the School of Business. It was great watching our children of Samoa having so much fun. This is what it's all about, returning home to serve my people and bring happiness to those I serve. Returning home with the old lessons learned from my father and now, put together with my degree in International Business Management and a great business opportunity to boot, is not only a great combination but is oh so bitter sweet. My cup runneth over and I'm once again, humbled.

-Howard Afualo, BYUH Graduate June 2005