BRAVE
BUSINESS
SOLUTIONS
WHO IS BABI?
I am Babi Soto from Albuquerque New Mexico, my lineage dates back to the founding families of Old Town. I grew up in Northern California and spent most of my adult life on Maui, Hawaii. I came home to New Mexico in 2020. I am an entrepreneur, writer and photographer. I chose not to follow a traditional path in life, preferring a creative DIY approach that has blessed me with incredible experiences and truly unique skills. In my maturity I embody a life wisdom that can only come from notable accomplishments and profound challenges. I am grateful for the rich life I have lived.
INSPIRATION, VALUES AND WORK ETHICS
As a teenager I thrived in the northern California punk scene of the late 80's. In this creatively fertile environment I learned a working style and an ethos that has served me my entire life. I mastered skills like, how to think outside the box. I learned Inclusiveness, free creative expression, risk taking, tolerance for new ideas, and an ability to make things happen without the need to rely on traditional institutions, resources or support.
BUSINESS & ART EXPERIENCE
Events, Website Design, Writing, Graphic Design.
I started my first business, Wild Banana Gallery, in Wailuku, Maui at the age of 29. My mission was to counter the tourist dominated art scene of Maui by providing an alternative space for Maui artists. A youth hostel down the block opened up a way to connect with artists from around the world. Learning website building furthered the global reach of the gallery. My team and I were blessed to show the work, of truly inspiring artists over the 10 years that I curated. The Wild Banana Project culminated in a group exhibit of the best artists that my team and I had worked with over the years. This ambitious exhibit was called International Underground and was held in a two story Victorian in the Haight/Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco Ca.
BUSINESS & RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE
Marketing, Events & Management
My second business venture was as co-owner of Cafe Marc Aurel a wine bar, cafe, bistro and live music venue on Maui, Hawaii. My role in this business was events, marketing and personnel management. With 80 wines by the glass, live jazz, wine tastings and art openings, Cafe Marc Aurel quickly became a popular Maui hot spot with a vibrant and exciting scene. It was such a fun time......maybe a little too much fun! After 5 years my partner and I sold the business to our employees in order to move on to less demanding life pursuits.
OFF-THE-GRID HOMESTEADING
Motherhood, Home Design & Jungle Survival
I married a Hawaiian man named Kaimana, together we started a family and built a homestead on land that had not been occupied in over 70 years. Land that was sacred to his family and had belonged to his chiefly line since pre-contact times. We camped while we raised our son, cleared the jungle, built an off-the-grid home, planted a garden and fruit trees, rediscovered nearly forgotten ancestral burial sites and welcomed all the descendants of Kaimana's great great grandfather back to the land.
BUSINESS - NON PROFIT RADIO
Grant Writing, Community Engagement, FCC licensing
Kaimana and I started a non-profit LPFM radio station in our rural community in order to give a voice to the Hawaiian people on their own land. I worked in the background writing grants to fund the project and ran the business side. Kaimana built the physical station in the historic courthouse building overlooking Hana Bay, was the community liaison and the DJ.
KOKO FM played Hawaiian music and spoke to the community concerns of the people of Hana Maui. We were keenly aware of how blessed we were to have to be a part of this isolated native community. Our heartfelt appreciation inspired a desire to do our part to give back. It was a humbling and powerful experience.
ADVOCACY & SPIRTITUALITY
Navigating the medical system and human mortality.
at age 4 1/2 our beautiful son was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. As a family we endured 3 years of intense treatment which forced us to leave our home and move to the mainland. Of all the incredible experiences I have had, this was the one that taught me the most. Navigating life and death strategy became my day job. Love was elevated to its rightful place as the top priority of life. Hard days were balanced against childhood joy, family unity and fun.
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At age 7 1/2 Kahuena Charles Napahu Kanekoa passed from this world. We were present to witness his spirit graduate into the beyond. He has been with me as a guardian angel ever since, but my marriage did not survive without him. He was a truly special child who taught me what love is, he was a teacher to many and he lived fully in his brief life. He is the love of my life and my deepest inspiration.
RECENT PROJECTS AND PERSPECTIVES
Business Coaching, Cultural Identity & Reconnecting to my creative abilities.
With Kaku's etherial love supporting me I moved home to New Mexico for the first time since I was baby. I started Brave Business Solutions and became a small business consultant with the goal of harnessing my experience in business and in life to help others achieve their business goals, which I have been able to do with great success.
I was so enamored with the beauty of my home, New Mexico, that I became a skilled amateur photographer chasing the elusive beauty of this land, her spirit, and her people.
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My life has always been full of surprises, so I'm excited to see what experiences and adventures await me in this new phase of my journey. Love Babi
CONTACT BABI SOTO FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
