The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce named Studio 904 as the 2010 Business of the Year at its Jan. 6 award luncheon at the Community Center at Mercer View. 

Studio 904 owner and founder Kay Hirai, accepted her plaque with a whispered “What an honor!”

“It was a complete surprise to me,” she said. “I had no idea, but I certainly believe the business deserves it.”

The award luncheon is usually held in December but was postponed.

Hirai follows the Japanese “Kaizen” philosophy in her business, which means, "change for the better" focusing on continuous improvement in business practices in relation to the community. It has led her to serve on everything from the Governors Advisory Board to the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Merchant’s Committee of the Chamber.

She also believes strongly in giving back to others in need and within her community, beginning with the 1995 Kobe, Japan earthquake when she earmarked a percentage of her profit to help provide disaster relief there. Her philanthropy has continued locally by supporting Northwest Harvest and giving free haircuts to local churches, Tent City denizens and the homeless children of First Place School in Seattle.

This year, Hirai focused her fundraising efforts on animal welfare and cancer survivor organizations, including Pasado’s Safe Haven, an animal rescue operation in Sultan, and Team Survivor Northwest, which supports cancer survivors. Hirai’s donated the proceeds from her book, Yumi’s Life Lessons to Pasado’s Safe Haven and had her staff participate in the Dragon Boat races to support Team Survivor Northwest, as well as hosting an event at Studio 904 with another author and a jeweler. Earlier this year, Hirai and her staff at Studio 904 contributed to the Gulf Coast oil-spill cleanup effort by donating hair clippings — valued for thier oil-absorbant properties.

 “When you have a business, it is the community that supports you and your business, allowing it to grow,” she said. “To me, it’s not right to just keep taking, you need to be involved in your community’s needs and reciprocate; my business is a place to get the message out to the community and bring people together to get things done.”

Individuals can only donate money, Hirai observed, which doesn’t have as big of an impact as a business that brings to bear its clients, staff and friends to help those in need.

“You can educate the public, raise visibility of a (charity) organization and raise money for them,” she said. “There is so much you can do to help, which is what I am excited about; community service is important to me--it is why I’ve been in business for 35 years.”

Hirai said passion for incorporating all the different aspects of her charity projects is what has kept her from ‘burning out’ over her long career.

“Very few people understand the concept of giving back, most spend time on their hobbies, but I say that you have to find your own rose in life’s garden,” she said. “This is my rose, being able to help those who need a helping hand through my business.”