PUHI — Kaua‘i Community College, which is the only facility in the state to offer the STRIVE program, celebrated on Monday its third cohort of students completing the eight-week program, said Dirk Soma, one of the STRIVE instructors.
STRIVE stands for Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship. The program is coordinated through the Kaua‘i Community College Veteran Support Center and Kaua‘i Veterans Council in partnership with the National Association for Community College Education and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University to provide for and support veterans and spouses of active duty military to become owners of their own businesses.
The latest cohort includes Keola Baclayon, the son of one of the first cohort graduates, Silver Binongial, Michael Callahan, Robert Kay, Britton McDaniels, Stephanie Newby, Erik Rita, Cherisse Rita, Michael Sharrak and Chelsie Wong.
Each student had to present the business plan of a business they had been thinking about, being engaged in, or planning to open using the training offered during the eight-week training period.
Each presentation was done before a panel of judges with the “winning” four presentations getting a share of $10,000, the bulk of it coming through the efforts of Andy and Missy Ivankovich, owners of Singing Water Vineyards in Texas, as well as other sponsors.
Michael, one of two in the cohort, Callahan’s idea of a Chicago-style hot dog, Olli Dog, named after his months-old grandson, pocketed $1,000 for his presentation that earned fourth place out of seven presentations by the judges.
Third place in the close competition belonged to Britton McDaniels and his Malama ‘Aina Tours, whose goal is to perpetuate the culture through education. He earned $2,000
Keola Baclayon has a power washing business that concentrates on cleaning solar panels for residents and businesses. With minor tweaking in some of the business plan logistics, Baclayon fell a point short of the eventual top award that belongs to Erik and Cherisse Rita and their fishing boat.
Baclayon earned $3,000 for his second place finish, and the Rita couple pocketed $4,000 to improve their fishing boat and equipment to fulfill their vision of providing not only locally-sourced fish, but the experience that goes beyond a normal charter fishing tour.
Soma said sponsors for the program, and hoike included Smiley’s Local Grinds that provided the food for cohorts, guests and judges, and Target which provided water and beverages for the eight-week class period, The Kaua‘i Chocolate Factory, the Kaua‘i Community College Apiary program, Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Salt, and more for taking care of the instructors, which included insurance, banking, legal and accounting professionals.
Alicia Sams, who got her ‘ohana help with the food for the ho‘ike, said recruitment for candidates and sponsorship opportunities are underway for the fourth STRIVE cohort.
