$40,000 Awarded to 5 Business Plans from MEO’s Core Four Business Planning Course

Five business plans developed by graduates of Maui Economic Opportunity’s July/August Core Four Business Planning Course have been selected to receive a total of $40,000 in grants. 

The grants were made possible by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, using district funds from the office of the late Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama. The awards recognize entrepreneurs working to develop and strengthen their businesses and support their next steps toward achieving their goals.

The July/August Core Four course graduated 22 students, with 10 business plans submitted for consideration in the competitive grant selection process. The top two plans were awarded $10,000 each, third place received $8,000, and fourth and fifth place received $6,000 each. 

The awardees are:

• Prepared 4 Purpose LLC — Mikaela Blando and Malia Provonsha ($10,000): An employee development company designed to help businesses strengthen practical workplace skills through memorable, hands-on learning experiences.
• Uncle Pocho’s Bakery LLC — Casey Kahoʻohanohano ($10,000): A home-based micro bakery in Kīhei specializing in high-quality artisan European-style sourdough and Portuguese sweet breads.
• Elua Doulas LLC — Ginger Yniguez and Rose Amico ($8,000): A Maui-based partnership supporting families through pregnancy, birth and early postpartum.
• Savanh LLC — Aleesha Sipasert ($6,000): A specialty product wholesale and retail business.
• KK Cleaning Services LLC — Georgena Chung-Sasada ($6,000): A Molokaʻi-based business providing commercial and residential cleaning services.

Offered through MEO’s Business Development Center, the five-week Core Four Business Planning Course helps aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners develop business plans and gain the knowledge and skills needed to start, operate and grow a business. After completing the course, students have the opportunity to submit their business plans for a chance to receive grant funding. 

“The number of complete and thorough business plans submitted for this award shows the commitment and energy the students put into their start-up businesses,” said David Daly, MEO Business Development Center Director. “This award was very competitive, with 10 plans submitted for review and only five winners. I look forward to watching these businesses grow.”

For more information about the Core Four Business Planning Course, call 808-249-2990 or visit https://www.meoinc.org/programs-services/business-development-center/core-four/.