Business Psychology Workshop Inspires Maui’s Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurial psychologist Dr. Jennifer Johnston-Jones shares her expertise with workshop attendees on the psychology of success. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

“Minding Your Own Business: Entrepreneurial Psychology Basics and You,” a workshop offered twice this week by Maui Economic Development Board, explored the connection between psychology and business, and spurred attendees to look inward for the keys to their own success.

Maui business owners—and prospective owners—attended the thought-provoking workshops, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 4 and 5, led by internationally acclaimed Entrepreneurial Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Johnston-Jones.

Attendees said her presentation helped inspire them, ignited enthusiasm, and translated neuroscience and psychology into actionable change strategies.

Hands-on, interactive activities were presented to encourage attendees to rediscover their own strengths, perseverance and creativity by overcoming perceived limitations and then applying those hard-won lessons in building their own businesses.

Workshop attendees participate in interactive sessions during MEDB’s psychology workshop. Pictured: Leona Wilson (center) and Judy McCorkle (right). Courtesy photo.

“Jennifer was fabulous!” said Judy McCorkle, owner of Aloha Recycling. “She was very clear, easy to follow and provided information that was current and thought-provoking on habits business owners might fall into and how we can make improvements.”

“Jennifer was real and people related to her,” said Leona Wilson, owner of Lona Ridge. “She brought the audience in and helped us better understand about people’s fears and how we can be more sensitive to it.”

“We tapped into something that we didn’t realize,” said Frank De Rego Jr., director of Business Development Projects at MEDB, “—that people have a real desire to understand not only the routine, technical aspects of a running a business, but also the psychological, motivational side. Dr. Johnston-Jones really tapped into the kinds of intangibles that make a business successful.”

“Business and psychology are absolutely intertwined,” said Johnston-Jones. “One cannot be a successful business person unless they have the psychological traits that are required—the confidence, the passion and the creativity. Also, understanding themselves and what areas they need to improve upon are absolute mandates for being a successful entrepreneur.”

Originally scheduled for Aug. 4, MEDB made available a second workshop on Aug. 5, due to the tremendous public response. The second workshop filled quickly and had a waiting list.

The workshop was sponsored by the County of Maui, Maui Economic Development Board and EntrepreneurShift.

The workshop is part of MEDB’s Technical Assistance Series, a grassroots effort to help small businesses establish strong systems, processes, tools, and best practices to build a solid foundation for success.

The next MEDB Technical Assistance Series workshop on Maui, “Venturing Out: Exploring the World of Venture Capital,” will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24. Experts in the venture capital industry will share helpful advice on how to attract needed venture capital to expand and grown their businesses.

For more information, contact De Rego via email or call (808) 270-6807.