Changes

Posted on Friday 24 July 2009

I am leaving the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network (a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Hawaii at Hilo) as of September 1st to create Maui Venture Consulting LLC.   Some might say that this is a crazy time to start a new venture, but I think it is a great time.  Change is all around us.  When has there been a better time to make a real difference?   There are a lot of people who need more than what I can provide as a counselor at the SBDC.  In my new role, I will be able to do more hands-on work for clients, and put more concentrated effort into projects.  I will be able to help non-profit ventures, and those outside of Maui.  I  hope to also be able to work more with other private sector consultants and economic development organizations focused on making a real difference.

While I start my private consulting practice, I am going to be gradually expanding the scope and capabilities of CoolProjectsMaui.com.  Starting with an increase in the frequency of postings which will continue to include video and audio.  To do this I am going to be looking for partners and contributors, creating space for sponsors, and introducing a membership layer.   I have been researching new semantic web technology, which I plan to use to create a powerful resource matching capability. We are going to open up the community functions and provide an incentive for those who register besides being able to post.   The "members" will be able to list their capabilities and projects (products and services), and search for resources and projects added by other registrants and from the rolodex that I have developed over 19 years of doing business development in Hawaii.   I (and others) will be doing regular webinars that you will be able to participate in live, or on demand (after the live event has happened).   Of course, I will continue doing face-to-face workshops at MCC and at other venues. 

Let me know how you would like to participate? Writing?  Video? Editing? Graphic arts? Technology? Helping get the word out?  Or just having us learn about your "cool projects"?

Stay tuned over the next weeks and months for updates and bookmark CoolProjectsMaui.com.  In the mean time, please take advantage of my last month at the SBDC by setting up an appointment calling 808-875-2402.

The Hawaii SBDC Network State Office in Hilo has started the process of bringing on at least a part-time counselor to be able to start by September 1st.    If you are interested in doing this kind of work let me know and also look out for job postings at www.rcuh.com.

It has been a great honor working with you and over 3,000 entrepreneurs over the last 19 years here on Maui.   I look forward to continue working with you even more in my new incarnation.

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