Mayor Arakawa Proclaims Small Business Week in May

Mayor Alan Arakawa signed a proclamation for Small Business Week 2016. Photo credit: Lois Whitney

Mayor Alan Arakawa has proclaimed the week of May 9-13 as “National Small Business Week” for Maui County.

In his Proclamation for Small Business Week, the mayor declares that “Maui County supports and joins in this national effort to help America’s small businesses do what they do best: grow their business, create jobs, and ensure that our communities remain as vibrant tomorrow as they are today.”

Every year since 1963, the US president has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Nationwide, business award ceremonies and free educational events are usually scheduled during the first half of May.

Maui County will host Maui Small Business Week from May 9 to 13, 2016, in Central Maui.

Additionally, for the first time, Hāna as well as Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i will also host related events on one day during Maui’s SBW.

Across the state, the Small Business Administration Hawai‘i District will celebrate SBW with award ceremonies on each island.

At 2015’s Maui Small business Week, Mayor Arakawa presented an inspiring, improvised speech, supporting the themes in the keynote presentation on “Aloha Works,” and Gov. David Ige attended “virtually” via a one-minute video.

Maui OED Director Teena Rasmussen and MCBRC Manager Karen Arakawa further represented the county’s support by providing on-stage encouragement for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Beginning in 2014, Maui County officials began participation in the national tradition of SBW, linking with the Maui Business Brainstormers initiative to hold an inaugural weeklong event—the first on Maui and in the state.

The event offered five days of free, educational events to benefit local small businesses owners and managers, and was repeated again in 2015 with strong attendance and positive reviews by participants.

With the official support of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, Maui Business Brainstormers is leading the event again this year with an entire week devoted to educational workshops and seminars.

Topics Confirmed for 2016

• Pricing strategies and the role of pricing in your marketing mix
• Honing marketing techniques, such as use of an effective tagline backed by a sound mission statement and a polished elevator pitch
• Getting business done the right way that plays to your strengths
• Key financial strategies to stay solvent, manage cash and keep the lifeblood in your business
• Improving operations and expanding a small business through focus on your business plan.

More sessions and speakers are being confirmed daily for the May event.

Maui SBW Organizer Lori Fisher emphasized the collaboration with Maui County to make this recurring event successful.

“Maui County has shown leadership in reaching out to the small business community by supporting the local SBW program with events similar to those hosted by larger cities,” said Fisher. “The proclamation by the mayor is further indication of the commitment of Maui County to the success of the local business community.”

For updates, go online. Maui Now will also update information regarding registration, schedules and locations as it becomes available.