21-year-old Remathau entrepreneur Alisha Tareg is just getting started
Alisha weaves and crafts fresh leis and baskets, using materials from her home islands
For Yapese entrepreneur Alisha Tareg, she’s had no shortage of business ideas
“I’ve always had big ideas, wanting to open print shops, a diner,” Alisha told The Husk.
The 21-year-old manages her family business, a cafe in Colonia, Yap, and she launched her handmade goods business last year.
Alisha is the founder of RemathauMade, for which she makes fresh leis, mwarmwars, and woven baskets from material sourced from home.
“We are from the outer islands of Yap, Ulithi and Woleai,” she said.
“We offer beautifully handcrafted fresh leis made from vibrant and fragrant flowers, perfect for any special occasions or as a thoughtful gift,” she said.
Alisha recalled how the idea for the business was planted when she was working as a server for a local restaurant.
“I often wore fresh leis, and even though they were simple, guests would admire them, take pictures, and compliment their beauty. That experience made me realize how much joy the leis could bring,” Alisha said.
Those compliments and comments stayed with Alisha as she moved into a different role at a different company. She took on a position at the AYUW credit union, and she continued to come to work wearing her handmade leis.
“A lot more people complimented the leis and suggested I should sell them,” Alisha recalled. “I brought the idea up to my aunt, and she agreed. So we started from there.”
In 2024, Alisha decided on RemathauMade as the name for her new business because it reflected her family heritage.
“The word ‘remathau/reimetaw’ means ‘people of the sea,’ referring to the outer islands of Yap in Micronesia. My dad always has used it as his username for everything ever since I was a kid. So I got the idea from him. ‘Remathau/Reimetaw made’ because everything we sell is made from remathaus outer island people,” Alisha said.
In addition to leis, RemathauMade also sells handmade baskets. Baskets aren’t as readily in stock since they are made by hand and they rely on pandanus leaves from Alisha’s father’s home island of Ulithi.
“It was hard, and it still is hard to make baskets because we don’t have the pandanus leaves here on Yap. We would have to wait for either the plane or ship from Ulithi to send pandanus leaves,” she said.
Even so, baskets remain a coveted item for RemathauMade. Alisha said that when people from off-island fly in and see her, they often ask if she has baskets for sale.
“Especially my Pohnpeian peneineis that follow me on IG, they would look for me and ask for baskets,” she said.
Alisha finds satisfaction in seeing people’s joy for her leis and baskets. It’s similar to the reaction the leis would elicit from customers at the credit union or the restaurant where she used to work. There’s also a satisfaction in seeing her crafts come to life.
“It feels good to see one of our works out there, being displayed and used. It makes it all worth it,” she said. “On top of that, growing a business while balancing work and life in general has been a challenge. But it has taught me resilience and the value of doing something I love and to get our name out there.”
“Balancing work and life in general has been a challenge. But it has taught me resilience and the value of doing something I love and to get our name out there.”
All of RemathauMade’s business is done in Yap. She also manages a small cafe, named after her brother, Connor. The family started selling coffee and they also sell food and snacks, Alisha said.
The idea for the cafe was one that Alisha said has been on her mind for a long time. She said that with the help of her parents, they opened Connor’s Cafe. They’re still working to get more customers on board, but Alisha is determined, and she’s already envisioning more for the business.
“We will expand slowly but surely,” she said. “This year, I am trying to expand with the drink options, maybe add more flavors for smoothies and shakes.”
Alisha, determined to see her ideas come to fruition, called on Micronesians to have the same conviction for their own ideas.
“My advice for all Micronesians, especially the youth, is to just go for it!” she said. “Even if it feels overwhelming at first, start small and trust your skills. Our culture is rich with beautiful traditions like lei-making and basket-weaving, and there is so much value in sharing that with others. Don’t be discouraged if you have a full-time job or school — take it one step at a time. Most importantly, believe in yourself and your work. What you create has meaning, and there are people out there who will appreciate and support it.”
“Most importantly, believe in yourself and your work. What you create has meaning, and there are people out there who will appreciate and support it.”
Support RemathauMade
Follow them on Instagram, @remathaumade https://www.instagram.com/remathaumade/.
That's awesome! Can do shipping? If so I would like two baskets if theirs is still any available please and thank you.
Go Sha! 💛