22 Graduate from MEO’s Business Development Program

MEO’s Business Development Program graduated 22 students from the Core Four Business Planning course on April 19, 2016. Mayor Alan Arakawa participated in the graduation and encouraged the students to “never give up on their dreams” while mentoring them on the realities of owning their own business. The students also heard words of congratulations and advice from Maui County Council Member Stacy Crivello, who was in attendance.

At the graduation, the soon-to-be entrepreneurs were also able to work with bankers and consultants from Bank of Hawaiʻi, First Hawaiian Bank and the Small Business Development Center and received suggestions on improving their business plans and what they can expect from commercial lenders. 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 you need to know to start, operate and grow your business.

Those interested in learning more about the entrepreneurial training course can call Maui Economic Opportunity at (808) 249-2990.

The next Core Four classes will be held during the day, from 9 a.m. to noon starting May 3, 2016. One hour introductory classes will be held at the Maui County Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall on Wednesday, April 27, from noon to 1 p.m., and on Thursday April 28 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at MEO’s Family Center. The six-week series 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 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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.

BDC staff – L to r- Loan Fund Manager John Flom, retiring director Craig Swift and current loan fund manager and incoming director David Daly. Photo credit: Maui Economic Opportunity.

MEO BDC graduates and community partners. Photo credit: Maui Economic Opportunity.

Retiring director Craig Swift congratulates BDC graduate as he hots is final graduation before he retires. Photo courtesy Maui Economic Opportunity.