County Announces Business Center August Workshop Series

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

By Sonia Isotov

Maui business consultants and industry experts will gather to present a wide variety of business related workshops at the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) during the month of August.

These workshops are usually presented between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., except for the special evening Quickbooks class, and all workshops are free, unless otherwise specified below.

To reserve a seat, please call the MCBRC at 873-8247. All workshops are subject to change or cancellation.

CREATING BRAND U FOR YOUR BUSINESS
by Dr. Robert Santry – Wednesday, August 10
This presentation seeks to explore the question of “How do you define yourself?” and inspire the attendee to discover how to differentiate a service or product in terms of qualities and characteristics, how to define a niche, and how tell clients or customers about your business. Dr. Robert Santry serves as CEO and Master Coach-Consultant-Trainer of Life & Success Adventures.  He enjoys helping people discover passion and purpose and turn it into a profit-making business.

HOW TO TURN YOUR CRAFT OR HOBBY INTO A SMALL BUSINESS
by Francine M. Fernandez – Monday, August 15
This workshop will include steps to take to set up a home-based business from organizing files, pricing for profit, how to sell, writing a business plan and marketing. Francine M. ernandez is a lifelong lover of crafting, including crocheting, embroidery, sewing, making jewelry, lei making and more.  She has turned her hobby into a business and sells her handcrafted items at craft fairs and online.

CASH IS KING!  CASH FLOW PLANNING FOR SURVIVAL
by Fred Rickert – Thursday, August 18
Learn the basics of cash flow forecasting. Projecting the timing of receipts, purchases and payables helps make a business more efficient and it’s the first thing a bank will want to see if a loan is needed. Fred Rickert is currently a Senior Business Consultant with the Hawaii Small Business Development Center-Maui, a program of the University of Hawaii to assist small businesses in developing entrepreneurial skills. 

RETIREMENT PLANNING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
by Gretchen G. Voxland – Tuesday, August 23
Learn about the three main sources of a retirement income: social security, employer plans, and personal savings. Discussed are the various investment choices, taxes affecting those choices, strategies to protect your investments, and the importance of saving. Gretchen G. Voxland, CLU, ChFC, is the owner of Horizon Financial, LLC.  And has 21 years of experience in the financial services.

Richard Kehoe, MBA, CPA is a long-time SCORE counselor, and the lead SCORE representative on Maui. Numerous business owners have received his free business counseling and mentoring at the MCBRC. He also delivers the QuickBooks workshop.

STARTING A BUSINESS IN MAUI COUNTY
by Karen S. Arakawa – Friday, August 26
Lectured by Karen S. Arakawa, manager of the County Office of Economic Development, this informative workshop covers general information and requirements for starting a business in Mau County.  Handouts, websites and other helpful information included.

TALK STORY ABOUT STARTING A NONPROFIT
 by Stuart Funke-d’Egnuff – Tuesday, August 30
Learn how to set up a non-profit entity. Stuart Funke-d’Egnuff, is the Executive Director for Tri-Isle RC & D Council and he has assisted a number of non-profits in their startup phase, works with grant applicants and recipients, as well as funding institutions.

TOP 3 ONLINE MARKETING MISTAKES TO AVOID
by Julie Migneault – Wednesday, August 31
Learn how to move through the online marketing roadblocks and create a successful online business strategy.  Julie Migneault, MBA, has more than 10 years of business experience, including leading a successful global team at a Fortune 500 Company.

QUICKBOOKS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
by Richard Kehoe – Thursday, August 25
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
$45 per session, includes hands-on computer training for beginners.
Learn to set up company QuickBooks in a small class setting with personalized tutoring. This class is for new users. Students will learn how to record sales, receive payments, prepare invoices and balance your checkbook.  Get customized answers and schedule a follow-up appointment at no cost. Sponsored by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and presented by Richard Kehoe, CPA and lead SCORE counselor.