Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 6, 1 June 2002 — OHA's small business conference a HUGE success [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA's small business conference a HUGE success

Mei Jeanne Wagner, vice president of public relations at Starr-Seigle Communications, shared tips on "Marketing on a Shoestring Budget" at OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund Small Business Conference. Wagner was one of the small business expert speakers who unfolded real life strategies and tools for success at the May 3 event was held at the Ala Moana Hotel. 150 attendees applauded when OHA Administrator Clyde Namu'o kicked off OHA's new short-term Hawaiian Entrepreneur Loan Program (HELP) to assist existing businesses adversely affected by Sept. 11 and Hawai'i's hard-hit economy. Luneheon keynote speaker Vicky Cayetano, First Lady and CEO of United Laundry, told of how her company survives tough eeonomie times. Thomas Service and Repairs was honored with the "Small Business of the Year Award. (See story on Thomas above.) A big mahalo goes to Lorrie Kondo, Johnny Pascua, Mei Jeanne Wagner, Milton Kwoek and Russell Yamada, Derek Kurisu, Ronald Kawahara, and Ka'ala Souza for sharing trade secrets about how to successfully manage one's own business. ■

Mei Jeanne Wagner gave marketing tips at OHA's business conterence May 3.