Learn How To Start A Business In Maui County

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development

today announced its “Brown Bag” workshops scheduled for January.

Unless otherwise noted, workshops are free of charge and are presented

at the Maui County Business Resource Center, a County of Maui Facility

located across from IHOP in the Maui Mall. The following workshops are

available:

“Going for the Goal!” provides an easy-to-learn process for

identifying challenges, their solutions, and the actions required for

success. Join us on Tuesday, January 12 from noon to 1 p.m. to learn how

to create a well-defined, easily explained plan, responsive to today’s

shifting economy. This interactive forum guides participants through the

cultural shift towards agility, innovation, and improvision so critical

to personal and organizational success in these times. Amidst the

everyday firefights and the avalanche of paperwork stacked on your desk,

it may feel like goal-setting is an unnecessary luxury, but investing

one morning a month toward your company’s future can bring unexpected

returns. Leslie Mullens of PLAYBOOK leads participants through a

sure-fire 7-step adventure resulting in a detailed 12-month road map

that defines your company’s critical success factors and exactly how

to achieve them.

Susie Thieman of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO) Business

Development Corp. will discuss the reason for writing a business plan

with “The ABC’s of a Business Plan” on Wednesday, January 13 from

noon to 1 p.m. Participants will receive an outline of the business plan

taught by MEO Core Four Business Plan course. Thieman is the instructor

of the program and has more than 25 years of small business startup and

management experience.

“QuickBooks for Small Business” will be presented by Richard Kehoe,

CPA and lead SCORE counselor on Thursday, January 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This class offers hands-on computer training for beginners, as well as

financial tools and support for your growing business. Users will learn

how to record sales, receive payments, prepare invoices and balance the

company checkbook. A nominal fee of $45 will apply; this session offers

a small class setting and personalized tutoring. Follow-up appointments

may also be scheduled.

Learn about “Starting a Business in Maui County” on Wednesday,

January 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Lectured by Anna K. Ribucan of the

Maui County Office of Economic Development, this seminar covers general

information and requirements for starting a business in Maui County.

Handouts, websites and other helpful information included.

“Cold Calling for Beginners” will be offered on Thursday, January

21 from noon to 1 p.m. This “hands on” seminar will teach you the

basics skills needed to grow and market your business just by using your

cell phone. Instructor Richard Lightfoot will discuss, cold calling

etiquette, how to advertise your business and website over the phone. It

will present information about the national Do Not Call Registry, how to

collect marketing information, how to increase sales and services over

the phone; and how to increase your business referrals. Please bring

your cell phones fully charged as we demonstrate how to lose the fear of

speaking with your own customers!

David B. Fisher of MauiVenture Consulting LLC will present

“Evaluating Your Idea” on Thursday, January 28, 11:30 a.m. to

1:30 p.m. Find out how to determine if you’re your business concept is

good. Get the basic model for analyzing the feasibility of a business

with special focus on market research and economic analysis. Use this to

approach investors and other stakeholders. Learn about resources

available to start and grow businesses. This is a 2-hour free companion

class to “Starting a Business in Maui County.”

Seating for all sessions is limited; reservations are requested and may

be made by calling the Maui County Business Resource Center at 873-8247.

Attendees are asked to bring their own lunches. MCBRC also offers free

business counseling sessions with experienced SCORE counselors that may

be arranged by calling the MCBRC.

David Fisher (center) receives the Mayor's Community Service Award from Mayor Charmaine Tavares (L) and Economic Development Coordinator Deidre Tegarden (R). Fisher is among the instructors scheduled to speak during the January County of Maui Brown Bags workshops. Photo by: Sheryl Saphore Photography.