April Workshops at Maui County Business Resource Center

The County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development today announced its free workshops for the month of April. Workshops are presented at the Maui County Business Resource Center, a County of Maui facility, located in the Maui Mall across Pizza Hut, in Suite B-9.

Seating for all workshops is limited, and all workshops are subject to change or cancellation. Workshops are free unless noted otherwise. To reserve a seat, call the Maui County Business Resource Center at ph. 270-5770.

The following workshops are available:

Tips for Successfully Promoting and Marketing your Small Business on Maui
Instructors: Taryn Kama & Eric T. Richter
Thursday, April 13, 2017 – 11 a.m. to noon (Q&A until 12:30 p.m.)

In this fast-paced introductory workshop, Eric and Taryn will explore the basics of print, electronic and online cross-channel marketing, explore demographics and how they apply to using social media and the marketing funnel. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about these topics in-depth in a future workshop. Taryn Kama is an experienced media professional specializing in o-line marketing, print/web communications, video, public relations, social media and information design. She is the owner of Go Get it Media, GGM, a heart-centered marketing company based on the North Shore. Eric T. Richter, owner of Maui Promotions, publishes Maui Vision Magazine quarterly. Eric has taught marketing seminars for wellness-oriented businesses for over 15 years and sponsored many special events.

An Introduction to “Be Strategic: Grow your Business and improve Profitability”
Instructor: David Daly
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 – Noon to 1 p.m.
**light meal to be served**

The MEO Business Development Center (MEO BDC) has brought the “Be Strategic: Grow Your Business” series to Maui County. MEO BDC is actively recruiting 8–10 local entrepreneurs for the upcoming series. The “Be Strategic: Grow Your Business” series was developed for established, local entrepreneurs to grow sales and improve profitability over the course of eight evening sessions, held over a six month period. Participants will develop a strategic business plan; improve business skills critical for growth; build a network of like-minded entrepreneurs; and adopt the “growth mindset” and overcome common barriers to growth. “Be Strategic: Grow Your Business” is a proven series and has demonstrated significant success in sales growth and profitability improvement for businesses. Come to this workshop to get information about this series of evening sessions.

Digital Marketing Trends in 2017
For small businesses and non-profits
Instructor: Mckenna Hallett
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Digital marketing is changing rapidly. With widespread ownership of smartphones, ever-increasing data and video streaming and the effects of the growing cultural desire for digestible and personalized content, marketing is changing. Do you know which trends will affect your organization in 2017? How can you jump on some of these trends to get an edge on your competition? By the end of this session, you’ll have cutting-edge information on marketing automation, content marketing, video, mobile and big data. Mckenna Hallett is a sales and marketing professional who also partners as a Certified Authorized Local Expert with Constant Contact. Starting her first business at the age of 7, she was in sales and marketing management for large and small businesses for three decades. She then started a successful wholesale business creating and selling wearable art jewelry in 1992.

Ag Business Development 101
Instructor: Richard “Buddy” Nichols
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Are you thinking of working off the land as a farmer? Are you considering developing a food product? Would you like to have a financially sustainable business? In this workshop, Buddy Nichols will focus on a list all of the resources that are currently available to you and providing information on how to best utilize these resources to become a successful Ag businessman or businesswoman. The end result would be a fulfilling life for the business, as well as for the entrepreneur. Buddy Nichols is a USDA Farm Loan Program Manager on Maui. He has a BA in Animal Science and an MBA. He has owned/managed cattle, fruits and vegetables, as well as processed and marketed finished agricultural related products. He understands the aspects of Ag Business from the farm to the table and what is needed to be financially sustainable.

Special Evening Workshop – $45 per session: QuickBooks for Small Business
Hands-on computer training for beginners.
Instructor: Richard Kehoe, CPA
Thursday, April 27, 2017 – 5-8 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. Get customized answers and schedule a follow-up appointment at no cost to discuss your solutions. Sponsored by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and presented by Richard Kehoe, CPA and lead SCORE counselor.

Free counseling sessions

Free counseling sessions with experience SCORE and Small Business Development Corp. counselors
Tuesday afternoons, 1-3 p.m., and Thursday and Friday mornings, 9-11:30 a.m.