Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

Students with Hogan Entrepreneurs Program Raise Funds for Marianist School in Puerto Rico

The Oct. 11 kickoff event for this year’s Hogan Entrepreneurs Program at Chaminade University raised funds to assist a Marianist school impacted by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that caused catastrophic damage and power outages in Puerto Rico.

2017 Kickoff and Fundraiser

Students from the Hogan program’s 16th class collected more than $1,000 in donations for the school, Colegio San José. Established in 1938, this private institution in Rio Piedras educates boys in grades six through 12.

“Helping a Marianist school in its time of need is truly in keeping with our mission of social responsibility,” said Hogan Director John Webster. “After all, our motto is: Doing business things that make social sense. Doing social things that make business sense.”

The Hogan one- or two-year certificate program cultivates the entrepreneurial spirit in students through activities such as lectures, mentorships and study missions to China and India. The program is open to all Chaminade undergraduates and graduates, regardless of their majors.

Hawaii Entrepreneurs Share Advice and Lessons with Hogan Students

Rechung Fujihira
Rechung Fujihira

The Hogan Entrepreneurial Program kicked off its first speaker session for the Fall 2017 semester at The BoxJelly. Students and guests had the privilege to hear from three Hawaii-based entrepreneurs, who all shared valuable advice and lessons.

Our first speaker was Rechung Fujihira, co-founder and CEO of The BoxJelly, Hawaii’s first co-working space. Its mission is to make Hawaii the best place to work and the best place to live. Rechung was a graduate of the Hogan Program and a member of its Advisory Board. He reminded students to be “Aloha first and Aloha always.” He also stressed the importance of disrupting oneself by taking risks because all great things are achieved by leaving one’s comfort zone.

Dan Mangum, Laurie Foster and Marc Gallow
Dan Mangum, Laurie Foster and Marc Gallow

Rechung’s talk was followed by Laurie Foster, Senior Consultant, and Marc Gallow, Associate Consultant of Business Consulting Resources, Inc. Laurie and Marc work with leaders and CEOs on strategic planning and leadership training. Their talk focused on the importance of setting goals and making plans to get to where you want to be in life. We must ask ourselves, “What do we have to do now to get to where we want to be?”

The night was engaging, thought-provoking, and set the tone for the rest of the semester for the Hogan Program.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Dan Magnum
Speaker Session with Rechung Fujihira, Laurie Foster and Marc Gallow 9/6/17

Hogan Students Experience ‘Raw Glory’ of Entrepreneurism on Missions to China, India

Study missions to China and India gave Chaminade University students in the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program in-person looks at two of the world’s largest economies.

This was the 13th year of Hogan trips to China and eighth year of India visits. The journeys featured company visits, networking opportunities and tours of historical and cultural sites, plus internships in China.

Students prepared for the missions by attending seminars and other events exploring economic, political and cultural issues in China and India. They also raised funds for airfare.

“These annual trips to China and India are often life-changing experiences for students,” according to Dr. John Webster, Hogan program director. “The places they see, the people they meet and the cultures they encounter give our students invaluable perspectives on the evolving global economy.”

Hogan China and India Trip

Guiding eight students through China from June 10 to July 6 was Dr. Caryn Callahan, a Professor of Finance and International Business and Director of the Hogan International Entrepreneurial Study Missions.

“The major thing our students get out of the internships is an up-close and personal look at entrepreneurship in all of its raw glory,” Dr. Callahan said. “They get a chance to have face-to-face contact, working side by side with the Chinese.”

Jackie McGreal, a senior majoring in International Trade, said her internship shed light on the intricacies of importing and exporting.

“I shadowed a logistics specialist who showed me exactly what she does,” McGreal said. “I learned about how unexpectedly complicated it is to make shipping container measurements, since every inch of that container has to be used. Otherwise, there is a loss of money.”

Leading the India study mission from July 6 to 22 was Ginger Miller, assistant to the Hogan director. Miller and four students met with CEOs and managers at 15 companies while visiting Bangalore, Ooty, Coimbatore, Mysore, New Delhi and Agra.

Hogan China and India Trip

Stops included Titan Industries, the world’s fifth-largest watch manufacturer; Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing; New Delhi Television, the most-watched news and lifestyle network in India; and the Chhanv Foundation, which rehabilitates and provides employment opportunities for female survivors of acid attacks.

“Our four students were eager to absorb all they saw and did in this country of over one billion people,” Miller said. “They were real troopers when it came to obstacles like delayed flights and long van rides between most cities. But the long haul was well worth it when the end result was opening up doors of their minds to what this part of the world held for them.”

Desiree DePondicchello, a Business Administration major, said the two-and-a-half weeks she spent in India “changed my life for the better.”

“Having the opportunity to visit various businesses in different fields gave me motivation and inspiration to take risks doing what I am most passionate about in life,” DePondicchello said.

Underwriting the entrepreneurial program are Ed and Lynn Hogan, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Hogan Family Foundation. A Freeman Foundation grant helped pay for the China trip, and the India mission was supported by Gulab Watumull (President of Watumull Brothers, Ltd.), his wife Indru Watumull and Hogan advisors Mattson Davis and Rick Tanaka.

The Hogan Entrepreneurs Program is open to all Chaminade undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of their majors. This one- or two-year certificate program provides students with tools, skills, business connections and motivation to succeed in entrepreneurial ventures. The program’s motto is: “Doing business things that make social sense. Doing social things that make business sense.” Information: chaminade.edu/hogan/.

MBA Alum Adam Hoffman ‘09 Finds Balance Between Robotics Technology, Consciousness

Chaminade University graduate Adam Hoffman (BS Accounting ‘07, MBA ‘09) doesn’t worry about machines and artificial intelligence subjugating the human race. He’s convinced that as robots and automation become more sophisticated and commonplace, they’ll make our lives better – if we focus on the right things.

Adam Hoffman, MBA '09

Hoffman and his team work with PartnerX Robotics, a manufacturing company in Shanghai, China. PartnerX created buzz at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas by introducing a new line of robots focused on early childhood education and retail markets. These products enable students to build and program robots using easy-to-assemble components.

In his role as Director of Platform Architect, Hoffman identifies new technologies and develops strategic partnerships from his home in Austin, Texas.

“Our mission is to demystify robotics,” Hoffman explained, so parents “have confidence in their child’s ability to adapt to the technology. Our purpose is to make as many people comfortable with the transition as we possibly can.”

Working with PartnerX was a big move for Hoffman, but his Chaminade MBA and a five-week trip to China with the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program gave him the confidence to pursue an international career.

“We are living in a very special time,” Hoffman said. “Exponential growth in hardware, software and connectivity are changing how information and data are being shared.” And these amazing technological advances, he said, are producing “a rise in consciousness.”

“We are becoming more aware, we are moving into our heart space,” Hoffman said. “I believe it is important to live in the present moment and be in alignment with your heart and mind. It is important to feel good!”

Looking back at his college days, Hoffman noted that he won a scholarship to Chaminade while attending Archbishop Riordan High School, a Marianist institution in San Francisco. Chaminade’s intimate atmosphere was a selling point.

“The connection you get with your Chaminade professors in small class settings is truly priceless,” Hoffman said. “From that experience, these are not only my professors and mentors, but my good friends I still stay in contact with.”

Hoffman’s career advice for future graduates? Don’t be afraid of failure.

“Get yourself outside of your comfort zones, be willing to put yourself on the line,” he counseled. “It’s OK not to have all the answers, but just keep pushing, keep innovating, keep evolving.

“We are entering a very interesting space,” he pointed out. “Never settle.”

Hogan Students Learn About Overcoming Fear, Soft Skills and Leadership

It was an honor to hear from Col. Ray L’Heureux, author of Inside Marine One: Four U.S. Presidents, One Proud Marine, and the World’s Most Amazing Helicopter and former Commander of Marine One. He opened his presentation with a video that shows the daily life of a marine pilot. He then spoke about the importance of overcoming your fear, having soft skills, leadership, and discipline.

Antonio Bonnetty andith Col. Ray L’Heureux1. Overcome your fear—it is okay to fail. Keep aiming high and eventually, you are going to hit.

2. Practice soft skills—hone your beak-to-beak skills and take advantage of the networking opportunities. Col. L’Heureux added that when applying for a job, do not rely heavily on the electronic piece such as your resume. Instead, focus more on the face to face aspect; the interview. How you present yourself and interact is what will get you hired.

3. Leadership and discipline—a great leader is someone who can get people to do what they do not want to do. Encourage teamwork and have good values. You must be able to figure out how to do things. If you are given a mission, get your requirements and find the re-sources to accomplish the mission.

Col. L’Heureux ended his presentation with a story of his mountain bike adventure with former President Bush. His “never say no” demeanor flourished into something one of a kind—a longtime friendship with the former President.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Antonio Bonnetty
Speaker Session with Col. Ray L’Heureux 9/20/17

Moral Code is Part of Running a Successful Business

Gary Hogan, Matt Southard, and Tom Bell
Gary Hogan, Matt Southard and Tom Bell

It was a pleasure to hear from Mr. Gary Hogan, CEO and President of Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts and Royal Pacific Air, and Mr. Tom Bell, President of Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts. Both speakers, equipped with a wealth of information and knowledge of how to run a successful company, reflected on their moral code.

Mr. Hogan began the session with a history and overview of their family’s first business—Pleasant Travel Service. He shared photos of their early sales and marketing campaigns. He also spoke about their mission: “give back to society through education and community-minded programs” such as the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program.

Mr. Bell spoke about the branches of Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts—Royal Lahaina, Royal Kona, Kauai Shores, KOI Kaanapali Ocean, and Lahaina Inn. One of the things that stood out to me was Mr. Bell’s commitment to “value.” He said to always aim for positive value. To get this, experience must always exceed expectations. We must apply this to business and in our daily lives as entrepreneurs. According to Warren Buffett, “price is what you pay, and value is what you get.”

At the end of the evening, Mr. Hogan and Mr. Bell left us with four entrepreneurship insights:

1. Have a vision
2. Stay nimble
3. Give back
4. Prepare to fail

Mr. Hogan and Mr. Bell reminded us all that success in business here in Hawaii is possible. The story of the Hogan family is motivating and one you can learn from to make your company run to the best of its abilities.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Matt Southard
Speaker Session with Gary Hogan and Tom Bell 9/13/17