PUHI — There was a pot of money — $10,000 — that pushed the group of three couples, and seven individuals to market their businesses and business plans before a panel of judges that would decide where the pot would be shared, Monday night during the paina gathering of the STRIVE program at the Kaua‘i Community College Fine Arts auditorium.
The couples and individuals represent the first cohort of the Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veterans Entrepreneurship, or STRIVE, program presented by the Kaua‘i Community College.
The program is in collaboration with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, and many community sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Smiley’s Local Grinds, FM97 Radio, Kaua‘i Kookie Company, Mike Martinez of State Farm Insurance, and Joe Vegas.
Andy and Missy Ivankovich of Texas read about the program and kicked in the $10,000 pot that was shared by the Top Four businesses and business plans at the paina, where KCC Chancellor Joseph Daisy dropped in to see the achievements and accomplishments achieved by the STRIVE candidates.
The nine-week program started in May. Candidates presented their respective plans before a panel of judges similar to the television series Shark Tank, each one hoping their proposal would earn a share of the pot.
Successful STRIVE candidates include Foster Brown III, Chris Estopier, Mikaela McLeish, Fernando Garay, Damian and Donna Loo, Ken Posney and Haunani Kaiminaauao, Allan Pablo, Bill Kisken, Nani and Greg Sadora, and Dana Rosendal. These veterans, and veterans ‘ohana, were helped through resources like guest speakers and others to hone their business ideas in preparation of entering the market with hands-on instruction.
The Loo couple, Damian and Donna, pocketed the fourth place $1,000 award for their Regenerative Services Kaua‘i program that currently enjoys a contract with the county’s Agency on Elderly Affairs, another indicator of its success.
Unko Greg handyman services earned the third prize and $2,000 for the Sadora couple, Greg and Nani, for “No worries, call Unko Greg,” and the second place prize of $3,000 was awarded to Mikaela McLeish whose soul coaching support of education also earned her an offer of a beta program for Waimea High School.
Dana Rosendal’s proposal of using drones as “eyes in the sky” for agriculture earned the top prize of $4,000.
“We need to continue this program,” said Ed Kawamura of the Veterans Helping Veterans group. “When I finished my military career, I thought I would be working for the post office. But my father who invented a rat control had other ideas and I ended up taking over the business he started. We need to tell everyone about this STRIVE program.”
Dirk Soma and Alica Sams, the Kaua‘i CC Veterans Counselor, are looking to start up the second cohort of STRIVE candidates.
“Moving forward, we would like to host our second Kaua‘i CC STRIVE cohort in 2023,” Soma said. “We are seeking to raise $20,000 in sponsorships to fund the class and provide funding to the top business ideas and pitches during the final week Ho‘ike. Sponsorships help provide funding to cover instructional costs and initial seed funding to help a veteran entrepreneur in reaching their goal to open their business.”
For interested veterans, veterans ‘ohana, and sponsorship opportunities, contact Soma at dsoma@hawaii.edu, or call 808-245-8228.
