Hiʻilei Aloha Teaches Entrepreneurs via Distance Learning
The classes are a byproduct of a 2016 US SBA Accelerator Competition Award
By Blaine Fergerstrom
Honolulu, Hawai‘i—Office of Hawaiian Affairs subsidiary Hiʻilei Aloha LLC is using technology to bring its popular entrepreneurship workshop series to more Hawaiians, statewide.
In a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Kauaʻi Community College (KCC), and the Kauaʻi Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Hiʻilei Aloha contracted instructor Julie Percell to empower budding Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs who are starting up small businesses.
Percell teaches an eight-week long entrepreneurship course every Saturday. Through the use of a video conferencing system and other technology, Percell is able to conduct the class with four students at KCC and four students at Hiʻilei, alternating her physical presence between the two locations.
Last year, Hiʻilei won a national SBA Accelerator Award competition and was awarded a grant which allowed for the purchase of a Lifesize Icon 600 video conferencing system, a Promethean digital white board, Samsung digital signage system, and a 17″ laptop with the Lifesize video conferencing software for traveling. The components are combined into a system which allows Hiʻilei to offer workshops and meetings virtually anywhere.
The entrepreneurship course covers the basics of starting a business, the keys to successful marketing, writing and presenting a business plan, pricing your product to make money, managing your finances, and estimating the resources needed for your first year in business.
Following successful completion of the workshop series, students are refunded the entire $300 tuition and are provided technical assistance in starting and growing their business.
Hiʻilei is offering a new entrepreneur workshop series for Maui and Oʻahu beginning in May. See www.hiilei.org/events for more information and a link to workshop registration. Class size is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Visit www.hiilei.org or call Martha, Kanani or Blaine for more information at (808) 596-8990.
Mahalo to the Small Business Administration for our 2016 Accelerator Award!
711 Kapi‘olani Boulevard, Suite 111 | Honolulu, HI 96813 | 808.596.8990
www.hiilei.org