Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 11, 1 November 1986 — Marketing Skills Program Offered [ARTICLE]

Marketing Skills Program Offered

A unique opportunity for Hawaiian and part Hawaiian business peopīe to expand their marketing skills is available through Na 'Oiwi O 'Oahu's Hawaiian business development program and the Hawaiian product marketing project. The program and project were established to help Hawaiians increase their strength and representation in the entrepreneurial arena. The project goal is to offer marketing assistance in the form of one-to-one eonsultation, workshops and marketing seminars. Jan-Michelle Sawyer, marketing specialist, points out that although Hawaiians constitute approximately 22 percent of the total population of the state, they account for only 6.6 percent of minority business ownership. "Knowledge and knowing how to execute a marketing plan is extremely important in running a successful business," Sawyer explained. Membership and marketing assistance is available to native Hawaiian entrepreneurs of Hawaiian owned businesses in the following areas: • Entrepreneurs with established businesses and positioned to initiate new marketing activities. • Newly organized entrepreneurs who are ready to begin marketing based on production capacity and progress through the business plan — clients may be those making their first formal efforts to market their products and/or services. • Clients requiring assistance in developing a marketing plan, or marketing research assistance as part of their business plan development. • Individuals interested in workshops and classes on marketing. Further information may be obtained by calling Sawyer at Na 'Oiwi, 523-6777.