Redefining agency life: How two wahine entrepreneurs built Refinery Creative
How a shared vision, strong culture, and trusted partnerships fueled Refinery Creative's growth.
Five years ago, longtime collaborators Leslie Cariaga and Stevie-Lyn Takata set out to build a creative agency around the values they wanted to bring to their own careers: thoughtful work, genuine relationships, and a culture where people could thrive.
Today, their Honolulu-based firm, Refinery Creative, works with organizations ranging from major financial institutions to community-focused organizations across Hawaiʻi. The agency brings together strategy, design, and compelling storytelling to help clients communicate ideas in ways that go beyond aesthetics alone. Along the way, the women-owned, AAPI-owned business has grown into a respected creative partner while staying true to the values that inspired its founding.
From the beginning, Refinery’s founders were intentional about the culture they wanted to create. They sought to prove that high-caliber creative work didn’t have to come at the expense of relationships, family life, or employee support.
As the agency grew, the founders found themselves navigating the realities of entrepreneurship.
“The biggest challenge was learning how to run a business while also doing the work of the business,” says Takata. “Creative agencies aren’t always built by people with MBAs, and there’s a real learning curve around things like contracts, pricing, HR, and financial planning.”
That’s why Refinery partnered with ALTRES for payroll and HR support.
“It came down to knowing our limits,” says Takata. “ALTRES came recommended, and what kept us there is the relationship. We don’t feel like an account number; we feel like people they actually know and care about.”
Having a trusted HR and payroll partner has allowed the founders to stay focused on their employees, clients, and long-term vision.
“Peace of mind is underrated as a business asset,” says Cariaga. “When you’re not worried about whether payroll ran correctly or whether your HR practices are compliant, you can actually be present for the work that matters.”
As Refinery Creative looks toward its next chapter, the founders hope to continue expanding the scope and complexity of their work while growing the agency’s presence beyond Hawaiʻi, bringing their relationship-driven approach and strategic creative expertise to clients across the country while remaining grounded in the values that shaped the business from day one.
Five years in, Refinery Creative’s story is about more than business growth. It’s a testament to what can happen when local entrepreneurs build a company around their values, surround themselves with trusted partners, and create a workplace where both people and ideas can flourish.
