Small business interested in gaining valuable tips on how to deliver exceptional customer service, pay less taxes, promote your company, and protect your brand are encouraged to attend the upcoming Hawaii Small Business Conference workshops on Thursday, May 3.
On May 2, the first day of the conference, national and local business leaders and successful business owners will share a number of important strategies for business success. The next day, four workshops will provide additional insights. For a full conference and workshops schedule visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz.
On May 3, three-hour workshop sessions will run parallel both morning (9 am – 12 pm) and afternoon (1pm – 4 pm).
Workshops will feature:
Karen McCullough, a nationally acclaimed Generations Speaker, leads workshop #1, “Going Beyond Your Brand – Delivering WOW Service.” During this workshop, attendees will learn how to connect your business’s vision and brand to the behaviors of your employees, examine the 5 keys to creating high engagement, and more. According to McCullough, “Your brand is the core of your company, the heart of your business, the soul of your culture, and the foundation for a WOW customer experience. The way you get Beyond the Brand is through employee and customer engagement. Engaged employees are critical to the success of every organization. Engaged employees perform at high levels and create emotional engagements with the customer.”
During workshop #2, “Tax Strategies for Small Business,” Robert Kawahara, CPA, Managing Member of Kawahara + Hu, will share information the how to reduce taxes for your business, the latest tax changes, and how to plan ahead. According to Kawahara, “Taxes can often take a big bite out of the income of a small business and owners need information to make proper business decisions. Understanding taxes and effective tax planning will go a long way in helping you keep more of the money you earn.”
Gwen Woltz, Co-owner or Wahine Media, leads workshop #3, “Maximizing Your Social Media Budget.” According to Woltz, “A thriving online presence and reputation is essential to the success of any business today.” Woltz added, “One of the biggest misperceptions about small businesses in Hawaii is that we are limited because we are on an isolated island or that we can’t compete with mainland businesses. I hope to show attendees that Hawaii small businesses are not limited because we are on a small island but empowered to do things a little differently. Hawaii small businesses have a unique advantage that no other small businesses have – a strong sense of place and community – a perfect formula to thrive on social media.”
Workshop #4, “Intellectual Property and Branding,” will be led by William McKeon, Keri Mehling and Rebecca Filipovic of McKeon Sheldon Mehling (A Limited Liability Law Company). Attendees will learn what trademarks are, why they are important, and how to develop and protect a strong trademark. According to Filipovic, “A company’s trademark, the brand under which they sell their goods or services, is oftentimes one of their most valuable assets. Developing a strong trademark and taking steps to protect it should be an integral part of any small business strategy from the outset. It also helps owners focus on what their long term goals or end game might be, whether it’s licensing their brand, manufacturing products or eventually selling the company.”
Cost is $95 per person for the full-day Conference on May 2, includes lunch. Cost for the May 3rd workshops is $35 per person per workshop. Lunch is available for an additional $20 per person.
Click here to learn more about workshops. For additional information, email smallbiz@medb.org or call (808) 875-2300.
The 2018 Hawaii Small Business Conference presented by the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Maui Economic Development Board. Sponsors include:
Pacific Media Group, The Maui News, Maui Printing Company, Small Business Administration, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Lanai Chamber of Commerce, Molokai Chamber of Commerce, Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce, and Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.
Today, his Hi-Tech and Shapers stores represent the largest selection of boards on the island — including surfboards, stand up paddle boards, windsurfing boards, skateboards and snowboards, as well as clothing, surf wear and protective gear. Ball helped promote Maui to mecca status in windsurfing when, in 1985, he organized Maui’s first contest for board sailing, at that time known as the Kanaha Wind Slalom.