In the early 1990s, Guy Akasaki was working as president and project manager for one of the largest roofing companies in Hawaii when the economy took a turn for the worst. After much debating over whether or not to sell the company, the owner decided to hold on to the business but needed singularity of ownership, so Akasaki resigned after 14 years with the promise that he would not compete for one year. He then considered many new business ventures, including opening a Subway franchise, but ultimately chose to stay true to his roots in architecture and contracting.