Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

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

Students Gain Real-World Experience – and Empathy – Working on Cultural Center Project in Philippines

By helping design the layout and plan the budget for a cultural center in the Philippines, Chaminade University students acquired real-world experience benefiting their future careers while learning about the Filipino culture.

Leading this excursion to the island of Negros were Associate Professor Elizabeth Lockard, M.Arch, Ph.D. of Chaminade’s Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) program, and Assistant Professor of Accounting Aaron M. Williamson, Jr. from the School of Business and Communication.

Also assisting was Dr. Frederique Kandel, a biology lecturer with the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Kandel advised students on ocean-related issues impacting design considerations for the eco-friendly structure.

The construction project is the Pantawan Arts & Learning Center, which will facilitate cultural exchanges among local and international artists, educators, tourists and residents. The four-story building in the City of Bais will also provide creative and educational workshops for underprivileged Filipino students.

Design considerations included:
– Sensitivity to local culture and customs;
– Adherence to international building standards;
– Security precautions;
– Flexible spaces to accommodate numerous activities; and
– Natural ventilation to counter the tropical heat.

Spearheading the construction effort is Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo, a commissioner with the Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and Arts, along with her husband Curtis. Inspired by the foundation’s collaboration with public schools on Hawaii’s Art in Public Places – Artists in Residence initiative, the couple decided to introduce a similar program on Eva’s home island of Negros.

Reflecting on this educational and humanitarian outreach to the Philippines, Dr. Lockard said the trip was “transformative” for her Chaminade students. Not only did the undergraduates tackle advanced design challenges, she said they “developed a deeper cultural empathy through this process and learned to see the world differently.”

“The most authentic learning comes from working on a live project, and so this in itself has been an invaluable experience for the students,” Dr. Lockard said. “But also to provide a center for arts and learning that will serve a community in need shows how design can substantively contribute to quality of life and the betterment of society.”

According to E+ID student Gerlie Valdez, the most difficult aspect of the project was designing the building and interiors so they’re “sensitive and appropriate for the client and the location.”

“This is the first time we’ve ever done an international project,” she pointed out, “and the challenge is to be able to obtain a good knowledge of the people’s culture and their way of life and to integrate it in how they use spaces.”  

Valdez added that her biggest takeaway from the excursion was “doing something honorable and giving back to my native country as a real designer.”

“It was incredibly humbling to be able to see the site, meet with architects, furniture manufacturers, designers and the local people of the community overall,” Valdez said. “With that, I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge in helping me move forward with the project.”

E+ID student Petrice Goto said the trip “changed me as a person.”

“I experienced people living in the provinces that had little to no money, but they were happy with the little they had,” Goto said. “I have begun to not take things for granted and to appreciate everything I have.”

Chaminade University offers the only accredited, degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program (E+ID) in Hawaii. Since its accreditation in 2013, the employment rate for graduates seeking a full-time, entry-level position in an interior design or architectural firm is more than 80 percent and has been increasing every year. The  E+ID program extends beyond the traditional scope of interior design to encompass the broader aspects of the environment into the design process. 

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration degree along with undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Communication, International Trade and Computer Information Systems. Undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration and Management are also available through PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) online and evening courses.