UH Mānoa Grads Build Local Beauty Business Inspired by Friendship and Farming

Amber Abara and Morgan 'Birdy' Cobb launched Sudstone, a skincare brand rooted in community and sustainability.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Amber Abara and Morgan 'Birdy' Cobb, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business alumni, turned their friendship and a vivid dream into a skincare company called Sudstone. The brand is built around a farm-to-face philosophy, sourcing many ingredients from local Hawaiʻi farmers they know and trust. Abara and Cobb wanted to create a simpler skincare routine with clean, understandable ingredients after struggling with acne and feeling overwhelmed by online beauty trends.

Why it matters

Sudstone's focus on community, sustainability, and transparency in its ingredients and sourcing aligns with growing consumer demand for more ethical and environmentally-conscious beauty brands. As alumni of UH Mānoa's entrepreneurship programs, Abara and Cobb's success story also highlights the university's role in fostering local business development.

The details

Abara had a dream about a gua sha-shaped soap bar, which she shared with her best friend Cobb. Inspired, they decided to turn the idea into a real business. They source many ingredients from Hawaiʻi farmers they know, embracing a 'farm-to-face' philosophy. Both struggled with acne and felt overwhelmed by online beauty advice, so they wanted to create a simpler skincare routine with clean, understandable ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, turmeric, coffee, and honey. After entering a business competition and winning a grant through UH Mānoa's entrepreneurship programs, Abara and Cobb launched Sudstone.

  • Abara and Cobb met as freshmen in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business' Direct Admit Program.
  • Abara had the dream about the gua sha-shaped soap bar while in the master of science in marketing management program with Cobb.
  • Abara and Cobb entered a Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) competition, which helped them refine their business plan.
  • Abara and Cobb won a Kalo grant through PACE, providing seed funding to launch Sudstone.
  • Sudstone launched in 2026.

The players

Amber Abara

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business alumna (BBA '12, MS '21) and co-founder of Sudstone.

Morgan 'Birdy' Cobb

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business alumna (BBA '12, MS '21) and co-founder of Sudstone.

Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE)

A program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business that supports entrepreneurship, including through competitions and grants.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I realized that my dream of a gua sha-shaped soap bar could actually become a real business when we won the Kalo grant.”

— Amber Abara, Co-founder, Sudstone (hawaii.edu)

“The media details every trick, product and solution for your skin. What you eat, what pillowcases you sleep on, what oils, cleansers and tools you need to fix everything. I grew exhausted trying to sort through the advice of every influencer and article on the internet. I needed a product that made my life a little simpler, with ingredients I understood.”

— Morgan 'Birdy' Cobb, Co-founder, Sudstone (hawaii.edu)

What’s next

Abara and Cobb plan to continue expanding Sudstone's product line and distribution, leveraging their connections with local Hawaiʻi farmers and the support of UH Mānoa's entrepreneurship programs.

The takeaway

Sudstone's success story demonstrates how a simple idea, rooted in personal experience and a commitment to community and sustainability, can blossom into a thriving local business with the right entrepreneurial mindset and support. Abara and Cobb's journey highlights the valuable role universities can play in nurturing homegrown talent and innovation.