Jay and Sarah Costa escaped the hustle and bustle of San Diego and moved to Kaua'i two years ago to live at a more leisurely pace.

So what did they decide to do after moving to Hawai'i? They used much of the money from the sale of their San Diego home and opened their own business.

The Costas haven't had a day off or much time to relax in the six months since they began to renovate their Kaua'i Bikini store in the Rainbow Plaza in Kalaheo. The store opened three weeks ago and its only two employees — Jay and Sarah — have been in the shop from the 10 a.m. opening to 6 p.m. closing every day.

Jay Costa admits that it has been a crazy life for the two, but working together is something they've dreamed of doing since they landed on Kaua'i.

"It's part of the whole thing about changing your life and getting away from California and just doing something simple," Jay Costa said. "And I just wanted to do something with my wife."

But Costa admitted that starting a small business was risky. Both are in their late 30s; Jay worked in finance and Sarah was a schoolteacher. Neither one had ever operated a business or had any background in retail clothing.

"My wife was looking around Kaua'i for a bikini when we got here and and if it's not like Roxy, Billabong or Quiksilver, there's really not a great selection on this island," he said. "We just saw a void in the market."

So the Costas spent a little more than $100,000 to renovate their shop and purchase the inventory. They took about five months to lay down the bamboo floor, paint walls, install doors and also teach themselves to design the bikinis.

Since the store opened three weeks ago, Costa said business has been steady. The bikinis range from $40 to $75, with the most popular item the Brazilian-cut bikini that goes for $55. The shop also offers "plus-sizes" and shorts and skirts.

"From the first week we opened we were already profitable in terms of being able to pay rent and buy new bikinis, which was really cool and surprising," Costa said.

He said Kaua'i Bikini does some advertising, but he guessed that 80 percent of his business is from word of mouth. Most of his customers also have been Kaua'i residents, not tourists, he said.

Costa said he plans to hire employees soon, but said he doesn't mind continuing with his seven-day workweek.

"It's work and everything, but the bottom line is we live on Kaua'i and not San Diego and we're happy," Costa said. "No matter what it is that we have to do to maintain our lives here, we'll do it with joy because I love this place."

Kaua'i Bikini is at 2-2514 Kaumuali'i Highway in Kalaheo. The store's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The phone number is 332-0313.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.