Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 2, 1 February 2011 — BUG Got the to start your own business? [ARTICLE]

BUG Got the to start your own business?

KCC class teaches new business basics

ByTreenaShapiro

Julie Percell knows determined entrepreneurs will strike out on their own, regardless of the risks. This confidence provides the drive to get their businesses off the ground. Percell's "Start Your Dream" class at Kapi'olani Commu-

nity College helps these fledgling entrepreneurs navigate around potholes on the road to success. "What I'm trying to do is help them avoid expensive mistakes," she said. Percell's eight-week course steers clear of theory, focusing instead on practical advice new business owners ean use immediately. As owner of 21st Century Marketing, Percell has been self-employed since 1989. She had a background in hnanee, as well as marketing, but she still had to find her own way as a new business owner. In 1992, she began sharing what she'dlearned in a series called "Be Your Own Boss." A decade later, she created "Start Your Dream," a request from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, whieh wanted to provide budding entrepreneurs the technical support to create business plans. Although the class is open to everyone, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will reimburse the cost of $23 1 to Native Hawaiians who complete the requirements. Over eight weeks, new and prospective business owners learn about finding customers, marketing, cash flow schedules, hnaneial plans

and setting and achieving realistic business goals. This 5 l-hour course culminates with the presentation of a business plan. Since many entrepreneurs start out as sole proprietors, Percell emphasizes the need to make sound decisions and keep an eye on all aspects of their businesses. "My goal is helping people find halanee and focus so they ean get everything done," Percell said. Her students have been a fairly even mix of new business owners, people with specific ideas, andothers who just have an entrepreneurial spirit. Although not everyone leaves ready to start a company, many have been successful. "They're not necessarily the people who are going to show up on the front page of the money section, but they researched the market well enough to make a living," Percell said. She keeps in touch with many of her former students and makes sure they have access to resources onee they complete the course in case they need help with their new ventures. The broad array of resources available to those

starting businesses surprised Kahili Woods, who took Percell's class last fall, about eight months after incorporating Lynx Security. "If I had known about that, it would have been a lot easier starting out," he said. He eame into the class eonhdent that his residential and small business security company would succeed, but knew he could use more knowledge. "I wanted to learn more about the business side of it from people who have been there." Woods said Percell herself was extremely helpful and accessible, as were the guest speakers who offered valuable expertise. "It's a good opportunity to network," he noted. Since finishing the course,

Woods has been able to tap into some of the resources he learned about, formed partnerships with other companies, started a marketing campaign and hired employees. Attending class meant sacrificing time from his start-up, but he considers it worthwhile. "Even though you started a business doesn't mean you know everything about business," he said. "The more knowledge you get, the more successful you ean be." He added, "It will surely help those who are starting a business from scratch." ■

Treena Shapiro, a free lanee writer, is a former reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin anel Honolulu Advertiser.

ŪHA Mālama Consumer Loans Lor information on OHAMālama Consumer Loans for education and home improvement or OHA Mālama Business Loans, visit www.oha. org. Or, contact Robert Crowell, OHA Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Lund īeehnieal Assistant, at 808-594-1924 or email robertc@ oha.org. Fitted Hawai'i 1438 Kona St., Suite B across from Ala Moana Center Open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (808) 942-3100 ww w. fittedhawaii . eom shop.fittedhawaii.com Start Your Dream The next "Start Your Dream" entrepreneurship class begins March 1 and runs Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 28. OHA will reimburse the cost of $23 1 to Native Hawaiians who complete the requirements. A free preview will be offered Leb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at KCC in Manono 104.

Call 734-9153 for information or 734-9211 to register.