Free Business Workshops at County Business Center Feature Local Experts

The Office of Economic Development's Small Business Advocate, Karen Arakawa, manages the Maui County Business Resource Center. File photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Every month, local business consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to free workshops held at the Maui County Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall in Kahului. Topics vary by month but usually focus on starting, financing, and growing a small business.

The following workshops are scheduled for June:

June 2 – “Cost Cutting Strategies for Small Business” with Rennie West
Learn about tips and tools for creative cost-cutting measures that makes strategic sense. Cut expenses in areas of your existing business to outpace the competition for years to come. Please bring in your current Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss statement to make the most of this workshop. Instructor, Rennie West, has extensive experience in management in the restaurant industry. In 2006, she was the recipient of the Mayor’s Small Business Award for businesses with 50 or more employees.

June 8 – “Talk Story about Starting a Non-Profit” with Stuart Funke-d’Egnuff
This is an opportunity to ask questions pertaining to starting a non-profit orgnazation. Find out the real reasons why people want to develop this type of business entity. The instructor, Stuart Funke-d’Egnuff, is the Executive Director for Tri-Isle RC & D Council. He has assisted a number of non-profits in their startup phase. He also works with many grant applicants and recipients, as well as many funding institutions.

June 23 – “Business Finance Available” with David Daly
Would a term loan of up to $30,000 help you start or expand your business? Would an emergency loan of up to $2, 000 help your business immediately? Do you have bad credit? Has a bank said “no” to your loan inquiry? If any of these examples apply to you and your business, you will want to hear what David Daly, Loan Fund Manager of MEO, Business Development Corp. has to say about their loan programs. MEO, Business Development Corp is a US Treasury certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution).

As seating is limited, reservations are requested and may be made by calling the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) at 873-8247. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunches.  All workshops are subject to change or cancellation.  Appointment for free business counseling sessions with experience SCORE counselors can also be made by calling 873-8247.  The MCBRC is County of Maui Facility managed by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.