Business Planning Course Graduates 19; Another Series Begins in January

Recent MEO Core Four Business Planning course graduates. MEO photo.

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Program graduated 19 students from the Core Four Business Planning course on Dec. 15, 2015.

The graduating students received a Certificate of Achievement and a congratulatory lunch. County of Maui Managing Director Keith Regan and Office of Economic Development Director Teena Rasmussen attended the luncheon, offering encouraging advice to the graduates.

At the graduation, the soon-to-be entrepreneurs received one-on-one guidance from eight commercial bankers representing First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Hawaii National Bank and American Savings Bank.

Bard Peterson, vice president, First Hawaiian Bank and MEO BDC Committee member. MEO photo.

Wayne Wong with the Small Business Development Center helped to review the students’ business plans, providing suggestions and guidance on launching a successful business.

MEO BDC’s Core Four Business Planning is a 36-hour course on how to write a business plan while providing the information needed to start, operate and grow a business.

For more information about the entrepreneurial training course, call MEO at 249-2990.

The next Core Four course will be held during the evening. One-hour introductory classes will be held at the Maui County Business Resource Center at Maui Mall on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from noon to 1 p.m., and on Thursday, Jan. 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. at MEO’s Family Center.

The six-week series begins on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, and continues from 6 to 9 p.m. two days a week through Feb. 23.

All sessions will be held at MEO’s Family Center at 99 Mahalani St. in Wailuku.

Registration is required for the six-week series and can be completed at the introductory classes or any weekday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at MEO’s Family Center.

Funding from the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development helps to make the Core Four Business Planning Classes possible.