Founder of Mauithings.com – Ryan Burden, Living the Dream on Maui

“I moved to Maui for the same reasons most people do: the unbelievably gorgeous surroundings; the clean, warm water; and the friendly people who embody the aloha spirit.”  This may sound like your typical Maui transplant, but he is much more than that.

Ryan Burden is the founder of the website MauiThings, and epitomizes the creed that hard work makes all things possible.  He started his company about three years ago, with no web marketing experience.  After taking multiple classes and researching for countless hours online, Ryan finally grasped the intricacies of building his own custom website.

From 2001 to 2007, Ryan lived off and on Maui.  Whenever he left, he found himself getting bombarded by friends and family for gifts that you can only find back in the islands.  After bringing back multiple cases of macadamia nuts and Maui Babe Browning Lotion, the proverbial light bulb went off.  Why not start a company that sells these coveted items worldwide?  This is the birth of MauiThings, where you find “the best products from Hawaii… delivered to you.”

While it took a couple years to finally become profitable, Ryan says all the long hours have finally paid off!   Running this company is now his full time job, and even allowed him to recently purchase a house in West Maui, where he plans to start a small, organic farm.  I recently caught up with Ryan and asked him to share some advice for prospective buyers of Maui real estate:

“With all the Short Sale and REO properties on the market, you are sure to find a great deal, and couple that with great financing rates – there really couldn’t be a better time to buy in paradise.”  He also suggests taking your time with the buying decision, “Get to know the ins and outs of the Maui real estate market.  There are so many micro regions on this island that a house could cost a couple million on one street, and a similar sized home in a less desirable location a few streets away, may be only $800,000.”

I wanted to highlight Mr. Burden’s story because he achieved his dream of living on Maui by sacrificing countless hours and immeasurable amounts of effort.  He now hopes his new farm can illuminate the fact that we need more sustainable, local agriculture on this island.  If you are ready to make the move to paradise, I invite you to contact me to discuss your home owning options.  Aloha!