Healthy Food For All Animals

Harvey and Sons Feed Store has been at its Kalaheo location for five years

By Russell Garcia
Part Owner of Harvey and Sons Feed Store

Tell us about your business. We sell feed for animals, including natural food brands such as Nutro and Solid Gold, at our business location in Kalaheo. We cater to different types of animals such as dogs, cats, horses, swine, goats, sheep, chickens, guinea pigs and pond fish. We also sell baby chicks such as egg layers, miniatures and special breeds. We’ve been here for five years and are a family-owned business. There are three other owners: my dad Harvey and my brothers Nelson and Leroy.

Where did you grow up and go to school? I grew up in Omao and graduated from Kaua’i High School in 1986.

How did you get started in this business? We wanted to venture into something besides my dad’s business, Harvey’s Flooring, which has been serving Kaua’i for 44 years. I worked for my dad for several years, but we all grew up in the business. So this was another way we could cater to the public.

What kind of business advice did your father give you?

To be giving. My father is a very giving person and is always helping people out. And to always be honest in business.

What sets your business apart? We’re the smallest feed store on the island and we have competitive pricing.

Russell Garcia sells feed for a variety of animals at Harvey and Sons Feed Store. Coco Zickos photos

What motivates you to get up and go to work every day? Dealing with people. I love people. I’m a people person. I cannot handle being alone. It’s hard when nobody comes by. I just enjoy people – you have all kinds of different personalities from different walks of life.

What is your business motto or philosophy? Customer first.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your business? The most challenging thing is to make sure people come through your doors.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your business? Hearing stories about people and their animals, and their relationships with each other. It can be anything from a mouse to a horse.

Do you have any mentors?

Jesus Christ. He’s the only one keeping me going every day.

How do you measure success? By the relationships you have with people. The more they support you, the more you know you’re successful.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

I’d be working for my dad in the flooring business.

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

2-2565 Kaumuali’i Hwy. 332-5999