Depo Market is, first and foremost, focused on community. Siblings Tiffany and Chris Chou wanted to open a jewelry store in Wailuku to provide jobs for people with disabilities. After more than a year of work, doors were set to open in August 2023. Then the wildfires swept through Lahaina.
Tiffany and Chris immediately shifted from creating jewelry and setting up displays to sorting through donations, buying supplies for displaced pets, and spreading the word about donation links.
“We’re just trying to do our part and help where we can,” says Tiffany.
The siblings have always worked to help the community. They didn’t intend to start their own business. Tiffany had been working as a jewelry designer in New York when she moved back home in 2019 to take care of Chris, who has autism. She was helping him look for a job when they decided to start selling jewelry – but not Tiffany’s.
Tiffany and Chris Chou.
“I’ve been making jewelry since I was 7,” Chris says. While his mom helped in his jewelry-making journey, his big sister inspired him. “I was her biggest fan!”
Tiffany and Chris started selling his handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings at pop-up markets. “At our first pop-up, Chris was trying to give everything away for free,” says Tiffany. “But I was paying for the supplies, so I was like, ‘Chris! This can’t go on for much longer!’”
“I just like giving jewelry to people I love,” Chris says. “For love, friendship, and familyhood – that’s what I call it.”
Depo Market has become a family since they launched their business at the market and later at their online shop. Regular customers enjoy talking story with Chris at the pop-ups. People around the world have also connected with the siblings through social media.
The beloved employees complete the Depo Market ohana. They each have different abilities and disabilities, from talking to customers to packaging orders and making jewelry. They’re working while learning life skills.
“We’re teaching them about independence,” Tiffany says. “Having different types of employment helps with their self-esteem and confidence, which weaves into their everyday life.”
Depo Market eventually held its grand opening of its brick-and-mortar store in late September. Running a business as siblings has its challenges, but Tiffany and Chris wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s fun! We’re brother and sister, but we’re best friends, too,” Chris says.
Chris and Tiffany with their family at Depo Market's grand opening.
And after all this time, their vision for Depo Market has remained the same.
“It’s not about financial success,” says Tiffany. “I want it to be successful so that we continue to provide jobs to people like Chris. That’s the core purpose of why we’re doing what we’re doing. To me, being as helpful to the community as possible equals success.”
Photos courtesy Depo Market
WI24
