Pulehu Pizza Among MEO Business Planning Graduates

Craig Swift, the executive director of MEO BDC (right) with Annabelle Eastling of Pulehu Pizza and Pierre & Annabelle’s Picnics in Paradise, LLC, a mobile restaurant business. Photo courtesy of MEO BDC.

By Sonia Isotov

Business owners such as Annabelle Eastling of Pulehu Pizza in Kula were among the 19 students that graduated from Maui Economic Opportunity Business Development Center (MEO BDC) on Oct. 23 with a new business plan.

At the graduation of MEO BDC’s Core Four Business Planning course, the soon-to-be entrepreneurs were able to talk with Maui business bankers who had volunteered their time to review the students’ business plans and provide additional guidance in operating a successful business.  The graduating students received a Certificate of Achievement and a congratulatory dinner.

MEO BDC’s Core Four Business Planning is a 36-hour course on how to write a business plan while providing the information needed to start, operate and grow a business.

The next business planning series begins with a free one-hour introductory class on October 30 and November 1 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at MEO’s Family Center and at the Maui County Business Resource Center (Maui Mall) on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The six-week series begins on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2012 and continues from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for two days a week through Dec. 18, 2012. All sessions will be held at MEO’s Family Center at 99 Mahalani Street in Wailuku.

Registration is required for the six-week series and can be done at the introductory classes or any weekday at MEO’s Family Center. Funding from the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development helps to make the Core Four Business Planning Classes possible.

For more information, contact MEO at (808) 249-2990.