Earlier this year, Russell Ruderman, founder and owner of the Island Naturals chain of health food stores, visited the White House, where he was honored as State of Hawaii Small Business Administration Business Person of the Year.
Earlier this year, Russell Ruderman, founder and owner of the Island Naturals chain of health food stores, visited the White House, where he was honored as State of Hawaii Small Business Administration Business Person of the Year.
Ruderman joined winners from all 50 states at the awards ceremony hosted by Maria Contreras-Sweet, administrator of the SBA.
Ruderman, who also is a state senator, opened his first Island Naturals Market in Hilo in 1998. That store was followed by other Big Island outlets in Pahoa and Kailua-Kona.
Island Naturals now employs more than 200 people at its three locations.
Ruderman said he believes treating his employees well is good business. Earlier this month, he announced that Island Naturals established a $10 per hour minimum wage for all employees. While most of his staff already were paid above $10 per hour, some entry-level employees got an unexpected raise in their paycheck this month as the company adopted the higher wage.
“While $10 an hour is not a true living wage in Hawaii, this is a step in the right direction, as raising our minimum also results in higher wages for midlevel staff,” he said.
“Doing so approaches a living wage for more and more workers. We are happy to share our success with our staff, and we all work together to make our company successful.”