Overview:
From a concern about the impact of commercial sunscreen on coral reefs, Miel Sequeira-Holm built a business with a bigger purpose. The young Palauan entrepreneur shares how Pura Vida Palau grew from a small idea into a reef-safe, locally made social enterprise — and the lessons she has learned along the way.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) — For young Palauan entrepreneur Miel Sequeira-Holm, building a business has been about more than selling products. It has been about finding a way to protect the ocean while creating a sustainable livelihood.
Holm, the owner of Pura Vida Palau, launched her coral reef-safe sunscreen business in 2017 after becoming concerned about the harmful effects that commercial sunscreens can have on coral reefs and human health.
Today, Pura Vida Palau is a small, locally owned business that produces and sells eco-friendly, Palauan-made products with a focus on ocean conservation. Along the way, Holm has turned her experience into lessons she hopes can encourage other Palauans to pursue entrepreneurship.
Her advice is simple: Start small.
“My advice would be to start small and build from there. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I’ve made many mistakes along the way, but I’ve learned so much,” Holm said.
For Holm, becoming a social entrepreneur has been life-changing. She describes social entrepreneurship as using a business to address a social or environmental issue rather than pursuing profit alone.
“Social entrepreneurship is doing business to solve a social or environmental issue. So instead of making money just for the sake of making money, you do it with the wellbeing of people and the environment in mind,” she said.
The experience has helped Holm grow both personally and professionally.
She said entrepreneurship has taught her more about herself and the things she enjoys, while helping her develop better time-management and self-discipline skills. Professionally, she has gained experience in running a business, customer service and money management.
One of the biggest benefits, she said, has been the freedom that comes with running her own business.
“I have the freedom to spend my time where I need and want. This allows me to spend more time with my family and friends while also working on my own time. I’ve been able to grow my business so that I can support myself financially,” Holm said.
Her business also has provided opportunities beyond Palau.
Holm said she has traveled to other countries to share the Pura Vida Palau story and has also had opportunities to speak with young people in Palau and answer their questions about entrepreneurship.
One notable opportunity came in January 2024, when she attended an international cosmetics expo in Tokyo. She said she has been invited to attend the event again next year.
“The biggest opportunities would be traveling to other countries to talk about Pura Vida Palau and my story, even here at home. Being able to speak with young people and answer their questions,” Holm said.
But building a business has not been without challenges.
Holm said she has faced both internal and external obstacles, including pushing herself to keep going when she felt she had failed, holding herself accountable and setting aside time to focus on the business.
She has also dealt with practical challenges associated with operating a small business in Palau, including obtaining ingredients and dealing with shipping delays.
“I’ve faced many internal and external challenges. I’ve had to push myself to not give up when I feel like I’ve failed, keep myself accountable, and set time aside for the business. I’ve also had logistical challenges getting ingredients to Palau, shipping delays, etc.,” she said.
Holm said she did not overcome those challenges alone.
Her family and members of the community have provided important support, reinforcing one of the lessons she considers especially valuable for entrepreneurs: The people you know can be among your greatest assets.
“I’ve overcome these challenges not on my own but with the help and support of my family and people I know in the community. The people you know can be your greatest asset as an entrepreneur,” Holm said.
For Holm, mistakes and setbacks are not reasons to abandon a business. Instead, they are part of the process of learning and growing.
Her biggest lesson has been to keep moving forward when things do not go according to plan.
“My biggest lesson that I’ve learned would be to not stop when you’ve made a mistake, or things aren’t going as well as you’d hope. Failure is part of the journey to success,” she said.
Holm keeps a quote in her home as a reminder of that philosophy: “Successful people make mistakes, but they don’t give up.”
Her journey with Pura Vida Palau reflects a growing approach to entrepreneurship in which business, personal independence and environmental responsibility can work together — starting with a small idea and building from there.