“Business of Art” at County Business Center

Maui County Business Resource Center is located at the Maui Mall in Kahului across from IHOP. File photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Every month, local business experts share a wealth of knowledge and experience at free workshops held at the Maui County Business Resource Center.

In April, the center will host business consultants and small business assistance agency directors as they deliver information that can help an individual buy or sell a business, do business with the government, set up a business and more.

Ira Ono will be stop by with a mini-version of his UH Maui College class “Business of Art.” He’ll touch on pricing, trade shows, display techniques and marketing.

Susie Thieman, interim executive director, Lokahi Pacific. Courtesy photo.

Workshops are free and held between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., unless otherwise noted below.

The center, a division of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, also has free business counseling with business executives in the US Small Business Administration’s Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) counselor program. SCORE is a federal program and the Maui Chapter is lead by long-time SCORE counselor and local certified public accountant, Richard Kehoe.

The April workshops are as scheduled:

“How to Buy and Sell a Business Using Evaluation Formulas” by Mike Kern, Tuesday, April 10
In this introductory seminar, learn about evaluation formulas taught at the Kellogg School of Business at the University of Southern California. If you would like to discuss financial strategies specifically for your own small business, Steve provides free consulting at the MCBRC on Tuesday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“Doing Business with the Government: 10 Steps to Getting Started” by Evette Lau, Wednesday, April 11
Every product or service that is acquired by the government is done through a bidding process. MEO’s Business Development Corporation (BDC) is partnering with the Hawaii Procurement Technical Assistance Center (HI-PTAX) to assist businesses in becoming successful Federal Government Contractors. Evette Lau of MEO’s BDC will lead this instructional workshop.

“How to Readjust Your Marketing Mindset for Success” by Timothy Wenk, Thursday, April 12
In this workshop, learn how about target marketing, including uncovering your unique selling proposition, and more. Free CD to first 15 attendees: “How to Double Your Business”.

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 QuickBooks workshop at the Center. Courtesy photo.

“Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Pono Center – How Can It Help Your Small Business” by Susie Thieman, Tuesday, April 27
Learning what the Pono Center  has for small business, non-profit agencies, and groups. Need a training room for up to 35 people, a conference room for the day, an office to meet clients or a commercial kitchen to prepare your food products? Come join Susie Thieman, Interim Executive Director of Lokahi Pacific as she discusses all the options available at the Lokahi Pacific’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Pono Center in Wailuku.

“The Business of Art” by Ira Ono, Friday, April 20, 12 p.m. to 1:30 pm
Topics that will be discussed in the workshop are as follows: pricing, galleries/gift shops, trade show visual merchandising, display techniques, and internet marketing. Ira Ono is an internationally known artist whose work can be found in public and private collections throughout US, Europe and Japan. This workshop is a mini version of what Ono will be offering in a course at the UH Maui College on Saturday, April 21. To sign up for the full course, please call EdVenture at 984-3231.

“Protecting Your Biggest Asset – You” by Gretchen G. Voxland, CLU, ChFC, Tuesday, April 24
Learn about what you need to know about keeping your business going should you face a hardship such as a disability or unexpected death. Learn the difference between being a sole proprietor, partnerships, S- Corps, and C- corps. Gretchen G. Voxland, CLU, ChFC, owner of Horizon Financial, LLC has been teaching the Complete Financial Workshop at UH Maui College for over 10 years and has 21 years in the financial services industry.

Special Evening Workshop
“QuickBooks for Small Business” by Richard Kehoe, CPA. Hands-on computer training for beginners. $45 per session. Thursday, April 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Learn to set up your company’s QuickBooks in a small class setting with personalized tutoring. This class is for new users and will teach you how to record sales, receive payments, prepare invoices and balance your checkbook. Sponsored by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and presented by Richard Kehoe, CPA and lead SCORE counselor.