 This is our episode one, and my name is Maria Mera. I'm going to be your host. And the reason why we started this show is because we want to know how to stay young and hard, but not only physically, but mentally, financially, emotionally, intellectually. And we're going to have really good guests. My first guest, I couldn't think of anyone better than Russell Ryan. Russell is the CFO of the Highway Inn, and he is married to the CFO. But he's been, this is his second career. He's been working for the aviation industry for over 30 years. So without further delay, please, Russell, thank you very much for joining me today. I'm pleased to be here. It's a gloomy Monday afternoon in Hawaii. It looks like your side of the island is a little better. Yes, it does. Yeah, wonders of technology. I think we're all learning. So Russell, I know your accent is not as thick as mine, but where are you from? Well, I'm actually from England. I've lived in the States now for coming up on 30 years and in Hawaii for about 15. So I originally, originally from England, but prior to that, I lived all over the world in many different countries. So that's exactly what I've been doing. Let's narrow it down. What brought you to the US? Well, in my prior career, as you mentioned, I was in the aviation business. And if you've ever wondered where aircraft come from, how aircraft show up at airlines and where they come from, who buys them, who acquires them, that was my job. I used to actually place airplanes with airlines. That was my job. So that took me all over the world. So if you all remember Aloha Airlines, Aloha Airlines. I know, yes, I know. Yeah, so when Aloha Airlines was going through a trouble in the mid 2000s, I came over as a consultant to help them with their overall fleet plan. But unfortunately, what happened was with some of these new little airlines came in, like Mesa, I think it was, and then Aloha Airlines went bankrupt and we couldn't implement the changes we needed fast enough in order to get Aloha to survive. So I jumped over to Hawaiian Airlines and for about five, six years. So is that why you came to Hawaii to work with Aloha Airlines? Yeah, just as a consultant, just coming over here to help them restructure their aircraft fleet and try to get them to survive. But of course, that didn't happen. Yeah, sometimes I've been in the newspaper industry and sometimes it doesn't matter how much for you put the tendency and the trend of the market is unstoppable. So that was 15 years ago and we know now that you're the CFO of the highway. How did that happen? It was really funny right around the time when Aloha went file chapter seven when they finally went out of business. I started dating this girl who happens to be the great-granddaughter of the founder of Highway Inn. And so I was saying, well, it looks like I'm gonna be going back to the mainland now to go resume my career in the aviation business. And she said, no, no, I didn't call up Hawaiian and TFL employees. Okay, I happened to know Peter Ingram, who is now the CEO of OINLI. I happened to know him from a prior life and he at the time was the CFO. So I called up Peter and said, Peter, what do you have in the way of opening some people like me? And so long story short, I ended up working there for about the next five, six years. Well, so I think we have a picture. Maybe it can help us too. For those of you who are not so familiar with the Highway Inn and you've been living in a cave or inside, let's throw a picture of Monica and Ryan. So because I think many people will recognize her too. Yeah, that there is actually opening day of our new Waipaku location and that opened in December last year. So how is it to work with that? And for some reason I cannot see those pictures, but I've seen them before, so I'll follow you. But how is it to work with your wife and live with it and mostly like that intensity or if I know how the two of you work and you're two of the people that I know are more hardest working and I know. And so how is that? Is it any recommendation for couples who work together? You know, to use a restaurant analogy, you know, you can't have too many cooks in the kitchen and the great thing about our working and personal life is we don't really overlap very much, you know. So we don't have the classic issue of disputing an item on the menu or concerned about a recipe or a business strategy. We're very egalitarian when it comes to the things that she wants and things that I think are good and then we literally just have our own areas of responsibility and then we have sort of informal meetings all day long and you know, we share an office, but we, you know, of course every now and then, you know, you get in each other's hair and... Do you force yourself to, okay, let's have dinner and not talk about business at all? No, you know, it's all the time, you know, it's basically, it'll pierce in every now and then, you know, it doesn't really matter what we're doing, it'll suddenly crop up, you know, it's 24 sevens. So I also want to keep this so relevant to the times that we live in and of course we need to talk about the virus and how is this affecting, I mean, the entire world, right? But how is this affecting you as one of the restaurants in Kauai, it has to be really hard. Can you elaborate a little bit on that? Yeah, yeah, in fact, it's essentially what happened in April, everything just stopped essentially and then it popped back up again and essentially it was pretty steady for about the next five or six months. And the revenues neither went up or down and then we had the various openings and closing and we had to obviously beef up our takeout, the state of delivery, we did online servicing, which is a whole online engine and literally the business is a shadow of itself, albeit right now with the Kauai restaurant part and with the resumption of tourists coming in and a couple of other little initiatives we've had in some grants, that's truly helping. Yeah, so what part of your customers are tourists versus locals? Well, in our location in town, it's about roughly a third, a third, a third, a third local, a third business, a third, roughly. Okay. How did Waipahu at the moment, 18, 19% local and 10% business literature? You just opened a new location in Waipahu, right? So it just happened right when you were opening the new location. The timing couldn't have been, it couldn't have been worse. We have one month of good report, we're good data and then after that, everything disappears. Yeah, and it has to be hard. I mean, a very healthy business like yours and for me that I, again, I'm a full disclosure, I work as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, but I see businesses that I used to work with who are really struggling and it's hard to see. I mean, even now that Hawaii is opening, it seems like I think I read today that still 24% of the businesses are closed. So how do you see that progressing? Do you think we're going to close again or are you more optimistic? Well, as long as the customer facing businesses can either, if they're forced to close, they can receive ground so they can stay alive. That's the most important because it makes no sense to cut off the customer facing businesses revenue stream and then still expect them to pay the business. Yeah. Clearly a business can pay operating costs such as, you know, if I buy food, I sell the food, if I have labor, I can pay the labor, but I'm a fraction of my former size. So it's really hard to pay the larger fixed costs that show up every single month. So provided there's money available to allow us to be able to do that, then the future should be okay. It really just depends on the good graces of the landlords and the banks and the insurance companies and the government to provide that, to fill that gap up because when your revenues in half or approximately, businesses just can't survive in the long term. So I'm going to put you on the hot spot here and linking these two directions. Are you hopeful one of the candidates will win and that will help your business and... Good question, yeah. Or, yeah. Well, a lot of businesses, a lot of businesses obviously think about, you know, the taxes and those things. So there's sort of this thing that if you're a business owner, you have to lean one side of the political spectrum, but I'm not a subscriber to that because I think the world is a bigger place than just focusing on myself and what tax breaks I can get next year. So I want to see a healthy environment, a healthy country, a happy country. And I'm looking forward to that in the next video. I want to ask you more just in case. But do you vote in the UK and... No, no. In fact, I've been disenfranchised from voting in the UK because I've been gone longer than 15 years. So they basically kicked me off the voter registration in England, but I do vote here obviously because I am a naturalized citizen here. It's kind of funny you should mention that because at the time I was actually working for the John Kerry campaign in 2004 when I became a naturalized citizen and because I was in the aviation business and as you know, presidents to be or presidential candidates, they fly around the country in a furious pace in the last two months is doing all their rallies. Well, they need an airplane for that. And it doesn't happen that John Kerry rents his... Some seem like they are not traveling that much. In the current time, they're traveling like we're traveling right now. So were you in Hawaii when you were helping Kerry's campaign? No, no, I was living in Miami and that's because I had a whole portfolio of businesses in South America that I was visiting regularly at the time. Yeah, there are so many layers on your work and that I'm going to... We have half an hour so I'm just gonna try to be focused. But anyway, don't you saw the video of the highways? So just in case people want to see some food and something happy. Yeah, this is Russell now. This is Russell's new life. Yeah. I'm getting hungry. Can you tell me what that was? That was our most popular dish, which is the Laulau combo plate. And we put that commercial together about a year ago now. It's sort of using that stop motion animation, which was pretty nice. And that's our most popular video on YouTube right now. That is that purple potato. Is that Okinawan potato? Yeah, okinawan sweet potato, yeah. So are you trying to be healthy at the same time that you're Hawaiian? Is that an oxymoron or is that something that you can do at the same time? Of course, yeah. A lot of the Hawaiian food is relatively helpful, especially the Laulau because it has those leaves, the taro and the luau leaves and obviously the potatoes. There are some obviously some bad things on the menu that you don't want to sort of eat too much of. Obviously, you know, with the fish on the menu. And again, from a fellow European and I brought my family there and they love it. So I think you can adjust to any palate. So back to Europe. Tell me, how do you see the situation in the UK? And again, we're complaining that that's about the situation in Hawaii, but it seems like Europe is struggling so much, right? It's very hard to watch. Yeah, the England is as many of your reviewers, listeners or viewers watching this will know about they've heard something about Brexit. That's where basically Britain is divorcing themselves from the European Union, which they've been in now for 30 years. I think something along those lines. So they're the first country to ever decide to back out of the European Union. And of course, it's filled with ambiguity. Personally, I don't think it's a smart decision because I think the UK is better off cooperating, working within the institution and working towards the end of creating a common trading block. But of course, a very popular sentiment took over where people were convinced that they didn't have their sovereignty any longer. And no one really knew what that meant. And if you look at what sovereignty means versus what people had, people weren't really voting for the reasons they thought they were voting. They were voting for sort of more populist, right-leaning motives to do with immigration. And again, I have members of my of my direct family who were for the European Union. Do you think that it will go back? Or do you have any hopes that it will go back to UK being a member of the European Union or to people care at this point? I can give it a give it a decade, maybe, and people will be thinking, things aren't quite as good as we thought they were going to be. And Britain's decline from being a world power 100 years ago. This is the final chapter in that. And that they may decide that they have to jump back in in order to get some of the benefits of being associated in a large trading block. Yeah, and it seems like there are so many things going on right now that the Brexit that it was it was doing, break up news all the time. Now it's like one thing that none of us even it puts everything in in in the rare view, right? It's like now we realize health is really all that matters. Yes, yeah, that's right. And I think, you know, the shine is already off for Johnson's ball. Yeah, that's a cricket analogy. And so he's so he's, you know, just as popular as Donald Trump right now. So in terms of his favorability rating, so, you know, that's the unfortunate thing. He needs to he needs to be a little more like Angela Merkel, who's the most popular president in Europe right now, or like or like just into a during in New Zealand. She would be I think everyone would want her. Basically, we need a woman. That wouldn't be a bad thing. OK, we're going to take a little break right now, but we'll be right back with everybody. Thank you for joining us. Thank you, Russell. We'll we'll be right back. Welcome back to staying young at home. We continue talking to our very interesting guest, Russell Ryan. Russell, thank you very much. So we've been we've been covering as much as we can in in half an hour. But I came back before the break to Europe and back to your childhood. How did you stay healthy and how did you stay at the point you were there? You know, it's funny. I was actually born in one of those red dots on the map that Burton used to control. So I spent my life. I grew up in Singapore. And when I was in Singapore, I swam and I love swimming. And by the time I got back to England, I found myself to be a quite advanced swimmer in comparison to my colleagues. So I actually ended up swimming a pretty high level in England when I was there when I lived there. And then right around the age of 12 or 13, I just stopped and didn't really get back into it again until I was back in university. And but all the time, yeah, just swimming, doing races. And when I was in university, I was in the swim team, water polo team. And you just used to run all the time. And it was around about that time. I think I did my first ever triathlon when I was a university, when I was a young lad. So so basically every possible score like a penta, penta lead. So and again, I've witnessed you swimming. As you know, I'm a very a bit swimmer too. And we swam the North Shore series together. That was really right. They got they got canceled this year. But this is a very special swimming Hawaii. And for some reason, it doesn't like it doesn't seem like is that famous or Colbert or what do you think that is? Yes, it's funny. I just I just don't think people that interested. And and you know, the reality is watching a bunch of people swimming in the water is not not very exciting from the. The only action is when you see people running in and then coming out at the end. That that's really it. But but, you know, for us, we see a tremendous amount of things. You know, we see all the issues and the the dolphins and the other animals and the the reefs down there. And of course, the physical challenge of doing it is a very personal, a very personal thing. So let me ask you, do you do open swimming water or open water swimming when you're by yourself in Hawaii? Yeah, yeah. In fact, I was out this week, but I wasn't really in the open water because I don't I don't want to be out around sharks. That's what I was going. That's what I was going with it. I was swimming on a Moana in the in the park, but it's basically very protected. So I have I've seen turtles, but other than that, even though the water is a little murky, but it's you feel safer, right? Yeah, yeah, it is safe. It is just murky there. But the water has been murky all summer, all along the south shore. I've noticed. And now there's sharks that come on a beach, so I haven't been there. So what what what do you do now? Do you find time to keep swimming or? Yeah, well, I still do. I mean, I still do. I still do all the things, you know, run, swim and bike. It's a race mountain bikes used to you keep doing. You keep doing all the sports that you were doing when you were a child. Yes, pretty much. Yeah, in fact, you know, in fact, I think I mentioned as a picture of me, I stand over the last race I did. Now it's the last but one race I did. I think I've done a whole bunch of races in my life. I think over 80 triathlon or multi sport events in my life to, you know, because they're just so much fun. And then just this weekend I was up bushwhacking up on the bushwhacking up in the mountains here with my dogs hiking. Always always trying to do something which is just outdoors fun and exciting. And yeah, it's a little muddy. No, do they? Was it? Yeah, it definitely makes it fun. So other than than exercise, do you keep a different diet or just to stay healthy? Yes, I tend to. I obviously I try to be palm based as much as possible and fish and a little bit of a little bit of meat. But predominantly, predominantly that. And, you know, the good news is, as you get older, you don't really want to crave candy. Yeah. You know, just a little bit depends on the person. Yes. Yeah. Yeah, that's true. What about to stay healthy mentally and intellectually? What do you do to just keep engaging in your brain other than work and work and work? You've got you've got to read, you know, reading is. And there's so many. I mean, Warren Buffett reads a book or we thought whatever it is. You have to read. I mean, I read, obviously, you know, I read as much as I can about what's going on. And, you know, you're trying to remain trying to remain engaged. The dogs, unfortunately, hiking companions. Yeah, the dogs are on the other side of the door. So they probably want to go for a hike. I don't think that's happened yet. Obviously, reading is is is most important thing. And obviously, engaging with engaging with intelligent people is obviously a good thing. OK, well, I'm glad you're talking to me. So one one more thing. How do you stay healthy emotionally? How do you? Is it like for me? Swimming helps me also emotionally and swimming and exercising is that it's part of like it's not only the physical exercise, but it's almost like therapeutic. Right, that's for sure. Yeah, one of the benefits of exercise, you know, those two exercise know is it really just it really just mellows you out and removes removes a lot of stress and helps crystallize your thinking on a lot of things as well. So so it truly is that truly is a good a good thing. But but generally, you know, variety is is is very important. Always always be looking for, you know, to be interested in new things. I look at new things all the time. But obviously, I don't the certain subjects. I like I'm totally not interested in that within that within that area of things which interest me, obviously, to be to be continually curious and continually trying to understand different things. Yeah, do you try to travel as well? Or is that part of? Yeah, we were in we were in Europe actually this year. We we went to but she went to stay in a castle on the West Wales. Oh, yeah, that was fascinating. We stayed there and then we stayed in a we stayed in a state we home in England as well. We went to do that. Yes, visiting visiting family or your friends and family. Yeah, I was I was actually in Spain in March, visiting my family. And and it's when all hell broke loose and I had to come back and just make sure that I stayed in Hawaii before everything closed. I want to go back on March 10th. Yeah, we are back March 10th, I think. And I was back March 17th. So here we are. If you're going to be locked down, we'll be locked down in Hawaii. Yes, Russell. I want to finish our super fun time together with a few questions that I would like is just quick questions. No wrong or right answer. Yes, your answer is let's do this quick to see how what just follow your follow your guide here. Who do you look up to in life? Who's your hero? Who's my hero in life? Gosh, I really don't have a hero. I really, I really, really don't. I. Never I try to be a little from everyone that I see. I don't want to be on your favorite song. My favorite song. I think it's one by you, too. OK, favorite book. And again, you can just say something that the book talks about or philosophy or but if you have a title. Oh, you know, I've read a really good book recently called Sapien, which is very, very good. I'd recommend that to do anybody audience. OK, the worst day of your life. So the what? Sorry, the worst, worst day of your life. Oh, my gosh, the worst day of my life. Oh, gosh, the worst day of my life. What was that? Or about one. It did I did I ever have one? I'm sure I'm sure I have have one that I can think of. I can think of a few. I feel. I can think of maybe maybe two or three bad things. Let's go with the best day of your life. The best day of my life. Well, the best day of my life. And this is a this is something you don't have control over. And I don't think a lot of people know. But the best day of your life is being born. If you think about the probability of being here. You know, that is the luckiest best day of anybody's life. You know, that's really, that's a really deep. That's a really good question. Russell, I never even thought about it. I was I was answering on my own. How would I answer this question? And I really like your answer. Who's your favorite person to hang out with? Oh, my my wife, my wife. And she's not sitting right here. So what is your favorite meal? It's other than Hawaiian food. Can I take a pass on Hawaiian food? Because I have to say, yeah, I'll give you a pass. I'm partial to I like Indian food. And I'm very I very partial to good Indian food. Yeah, good flavors. Your favorite place? My favorite place. Well, you know, not to not stay too long, but I've lived in I've lived in five countries. I visited over 70 and I never lived in any place more than one year before one or two years before arriving in Hawaii and I've been here 15. So so logically, logically, it must be here. It's by itself. Yeah. What motivates you to work hard? You know, there's always a better way to do something and there's always a better way to do something smarter and better. And there's a lot of people and a lot of responsibilities that, you know, that you accumulate over the years. So you end up just working harder and harder and harder to maintain everything that you're building. And you just cannot imagine that you could suddenly stop doing that because you have to keep building on that base. Yeah, the responsibility. How do you think your friends describe you? Yeah, it's really funny. I could think some people may know me as just a swimmer. Some people may know me as just a work colleague or a boss. So it's it's it's going to be really, really funny. But my but my friends, I think a lot of friends, they've always asked me, they say, are you see I? Are you British? So so what it so what I think they describe me as is somebody who's had a very colorful, very colorful background instead of experiences, which is very different from the norm is what is what I take from that. Yeah. How do you see yourself in 20 years? Twenty years, hopefully above ground and hopefully still exercising. And and the other thing is, is I'm actually I'm not yet, but I'm very soon to become a father for the first time. So in 20 years, I'm going to have a 20 year old kid. I hope I hope that a bigger role model and don't get mistaken as a grandpa too many times. That is that is so I it's so amazing. Congratulations to you and Monica. I've told you before I tell you again. I'm as a as a friend of the family. I can't wait to see that little baby. And OK, so I'm just going to go for it. What is the name for the baby? We don't know yet. We still we don't know the gender. I have an idea if you have again. OK, and as a friend, Russell, you have so many layers. You're one of the smartest people I know. And and I don't say this easily. But it's always a pleasure. It seems like every time I talk to you, I discover something new and we've known each other for years. And I really admire and I really enjoy talking to you. If you want to say a few words before we just say goodbye to our this first episode, please, the floor is yours. Well, you know, there's you know, a lot of ways in life to approach it. You know, you've all got to be optimistic. Like I like I mentioned a while ago, you've got to be so thankful that you're here because the probability of being here in in. You know, basically here on this planet and then here as a human. And then here at this time is is we have some of the most fortunate creatures to ever live in the universe. The fortunate to have lived so enjoy it. And keeping optimistic and that that that's really what it that's really what it's about. It's a great, thoughtful approach tonight. Thank you very much, Russell. I could not have closed better. So to our audience, stay young and hard and please join us on our next episode, November 24th at four p.m. We are looking forward to keep this so going. And if you have any question, please send them to think that why. Thank you very much for joining us today, Russell. And thank you to all of you for for listening.