Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

Student-Mentor Presents at National Conference

Chaminade senior Erin Ah Sue and Chaminade accounting professor Wayne Tanna presented their collaborative research at the 24th annual conference of the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences (ASBBS) in Las Vegas this spring.

Titled “The Palolo (Elementary School) Stock Market Challenge,” their paper with an accompanying PowerPoint was accepted for competition under the educational leadership track for the “Classroom and Adjustment Issues at Home and Abroad” session. The competitive sessions were organized with an average of four papers presented. After each presentation, general discussion followed.

For the past 20-years, students at Chaminade have strengthened their neighboring community, Palolo Valley, through various service-learning projects, including the “Palolo Stock Market Challenge,” a fantasy investment simulation. Ah Sue, majoring in Nursing and Business Administration, was a recent student-mentor with the project. She and Tanna, her instructor, shared details and the results of the development and operation of the most recent project that assisted low-income students and families in the area. Ah Sue was the main presenter.

The project taught the participating Palolo students basic math concepts and developed financial literacy and an appreciation of the ethical and environmental impacts of business operations through the real-world contexts of saving and investing.

“The paper was more of an instructor’s manual for replicating the game at other universities and public schools around the country,” said Tanna, who has been involved in this project for many years.

Tanna and Ah Sue, who is also a Hogan Entrepreneur Program student, were able to attend other sessions during the March 23-25 conference, as well as the ASBBS awards luncheon with Virginia Gean of California Lutheran University as keynote speaker.  Gean spoke on “Success Stories of Women Leaders in Business and Education.”

Hogan Students Learn About the Art of Invention from Rob Yonover

Dr. Rob Yonover and Lee Fujino
Dr. Rob Yonover (Founder & CEO of SEE/Rescue Corp.) and Lee Fujino (Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student)

It was a privilege to hear from Dr. Rob Yonover, founder and CEO of SEE/Rescue Corporation. He is a scientist and inventor of survival technologies used by the U.S. and foreign military. He is also a member of our Hogan Advisory Board and author of Hardcore Inventing: Invent, Protect, Promote, and Profit From Your Inventions and Brainstorm Islands: Invent to Survive.

Seeing the need for survival, Dr. Yonover came up with multiple inventions which include the RescueStreamer, LIFE/FLOAT technology, Emergency Supplemental Flotation System or PocketFloat, and the Emergency Pocket Water Desalinator. One of his upcoming inventions includes a water bicycle.

Dr. Yonover invents on simplicity, necessity, and survival. “The simpler the idea, the broader the patent.” His inventions will not only save lives but will also be protected by other companies that would try and copy his ideas. His main clienteles are the U.S. and foreign military, and one of his goals is to expand his inventions to civilians as Honecessary survival gears. The secret behind his success is his passion, and confidence in his products and brands.

Dr. Yonover also taught us to not be afraid to fail. As we embark on a journey and new ventures, we must keep in mind that great success comes with struggles and hardships.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Lee Fujino
Speaker Session with Robert Yonover 3/15/17

Forging Relationships with Mentors Makes Good Business Sense for Hogan Students

The Hogan Entrepreneurs Program launched its first Hogan Mentors Night to rave reviews and a packed house. Held Feb. 22, the event introduced the Hogan mentorship offerings to its students and alumni in an innovative way. Divided into five per table, the students eagerly waited for the opportunity to ask their questions from the Hogan in-residence mentors, entrepreneurs, and leadership coach. The mentors switched tables every 10 minutes, speed-dating style.

“Everyone was engaged in the conversations–not one shy student in the room,” said Eloisa Rising, Hogan Entrepreneurs program specialist. “Students showed interest in each mentor. I overheard at one table success stories, at another table students sharing their future career plans, and at another table, a mentor was giving advice.”

Hogan student Lena Farden, who was on track for her MBA with a nonprofit focus by 2018, was grateful to meet the mentors. “As a grad student and driven professional, access to mentors is a key growth strategy for moving your ideas, your goals or your career onto a successful trajectory. With a mentor, you have someone who has been through the hard lessons to help guide you — someone who can believe in your project and, more importantly, in you.  After that, you have no excuse not to get started with building your success,” Farden shared.

Drumming up excitement at the event were the Mentors-in-Residence  Mike Herb, Rob Kay, John Gleeson, Rob Kinslow and Gen. Dwight Kealoha; Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Rechung Fujihira and Russel Cheng; and Leadership Coach-in-Residence Scott Simon. The in-house cadre of experienced business people has proven to be an invaluable resource for many a budding Hogan entrepreneur.  These outstanding business people give their time, energy and advice freely to those willing to take advantage of the venue.  Be it encouragement or cautionary flags, practical advice or strategizing on the big picture, they make it a point to serve the Hogan students one-on-one.

“Although entrepreneurs are known as independent workaholics, having a mentor is something that you will eventually need– someone to talk to when producing your upcoming product or service,” said Gabe Torno, a December 2016 MBA graduate from Chaminade and a Hogan alumni. “I learned that as an entrepreneur, it is very helpful to have a few mentors — not just one — to keep in your circle of networks.  As an entrepreneur, you can’t do everything by yourself.”

The interactive event forged new relationships between students and mentors. Rising noted that after the event, students contacted her to set up one-on-one meetings with the mentors. “The event was very effective, and we will definitely do this again next year,” said Rising.

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 the tools, skills, business connections and motivation to succeed in entrepreneurial ventures. 

Hogan Students Learn about “Taking the Road Less Traveled” from Chaminade Alums

Chaminade alumni Adam Hoffman and Juno Chung have “taken the road less traveled” and it was an honor to hear their road to success during our Hogan Wednesday Speaker Session.

Adam works for Hangar Technology, a software technology company focused on harnessing the opportunity presented by the mass-adoption of drone hardware and the market demand for the data these drones can provide. Adam began his presentation with our Hogan motto: “Doing business things that make social sense and doing social things that make business sense,” and explained how important this is in our everyday lives. He encouraged us to use vision boards, write down our goals to help the process of manifestation, have a clear mindset, never settle, embrace our fear of failure, find our passion, get outside our comfort zone, never lose confidence, act like we are the CEO, and to always focus on the next assignment. Adam shared with us his daily morning affirmation, which is “I am in alignment with my mind and heart and I will think about things that I want, not what I don’t want.” I was surprised that Adam, just like me, believes in the law of attraction; it is rare to know someone who believes in this. It was also interesting to learn that Adam meditates daily and writes down daily gratifications and affirmations as well. In addition, he shared with us his “feedback loop” which consisted of the many different things that he does to stay focused and keep his mind clear of distractions.

Juno Chung is the owner of Koa Pancake House, Koa Cafe, My Outlet Clothing and co-owner of JCBL Products. It was amazing to hear his story and experiences that led him to where he is now. Juno is an inspiration to many people who are going through or have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Juno compared his life to the Matrix because he feels that he is “the chosen one” from the family to run the Koa Pancake business. In addition, he was offered pills to help him overcome his depression and anxiety, and he also joked about getting into a lot of fights similar to the main character, Neo, in the Matrix. During the process of Juno finding his outlet to life, he was given great advice by his psychologist. His psychologist told him that when making decisions change the “or” to an “and” because anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. Don’t limit yourself. One of my favorite quotes from Juno’s presentation was “as an entrepreneur, you always have the freedom to do what makes you happy.”

“Never be afraid to set higher goals and reach for the moon, because if you miss you’ll land amongst the stars” – Adam Hoffman and Juno Chung.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Kristle Henry
Speaker Session with Adam Hoffman & Juno Chung: 3/8/17

Hogan Entrepreneurs Program Ignites Chaminade Student’s Dream Business

When Sheehan Chase entered Chaminade University at the age of 28, he entered a community of learners that would nurture and challenge him to go beyond what he thought were his limits.

Chase had been out of school for a while before he finally returned. He purposely chose Chaminade because of its Marianist connection. As an alumnus of Archbishop Riordan High School, which is sponsored by the Marianists and under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, he was familiar with Marianist educational values and was seeking community. He was not disappointed. He found that students and faculty were involved and engaged. So was he, and he thrived in the smaller-sized classes.

Sheehan Chase (BA Communication '17)

“Chaminade has given me a great community and a small tight-knit place to grow in,” said the senior majoring in communications.

His growth took a quantum leap when he entered Chaminade’s Hogan Entrepreneurs Program.

To be eligible for the program, students had to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and then continue that performance while in the program. They had to have a record of leadership or entrepreneurial experience and demonstrate evidence of creative thinking and the ability to consider the ethical dimensions of their actions.

Once part of the program, Chase and his fellow student-entrepreneurs learned about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, the external environments of entrepreneurial organizations, the issues which affect entrepreneurial success and management of entrepreneurial ventures.  Then there were the professional development workshops which develop students’ skills in areas such as professional communications, business etiquette and protocol, media relations, sale and cross-cultural management.

In addition, one of the great benefits offered was that of access to the Hogan Mentors-in-Residence, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and the Leadership-Coach-in-Residence — a cadre of expert advisors and business leaders available for students to meet with one-on-one. These experts have been an invaluable resource for student-entrepreneurs.

The program offerings and the network of experts ignited Chase’s entrepreneurial passions. He already had an idea for a business seeded in his mind before entering the program. He had created a journal of his grandmother’s life that was so impressive, people encouraged him to start a business. Could he do it?

Sheehan Chase's biographical book about his grandmother

When Chase shared his idea with his Hogan advisors and mentors, they urged him forward. Dr. John Webster, the director of the program, was the one who advised him to focus on developing a prototype and perfecting that prototype. Following Dr. Webster’s advice, Chase prepared his grandmother’s book with her oral history to perfection.

Chase showcased the work to the Hogan Advisory Board and landed his first client. In December 2016, Chase’s business “Tale to Tell” was launched. As a communication major and a Hogan entrepreneur, Chase was uniquely qualified to blend the telling of a good story with a business niche.

“For any student with business ideas, the Hogan Entrepreneurs program is a great facilitator and a great provider of resources,” said Chase, who delved into program offerings with gusto and met regularly with Hogan experts regarding his new business.

Chase’s network of Hogan people did not let him stop at just having a business. They pushed him to compete in the state regionals of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, which recognizes the best in student-led business innovation. Hosted by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Hawaii, the competition judged competitors as entrepreneurs and on their business plans.

Chase made his presentation to a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs and competed with college business students from across the state. He had his doubts, but his mentors were confident. In January, Chase was recognized as one of this year’s top three regional finalists and was mentioned in Hawaii Business.

“I love Chaminade and what it has done for me,” Chase said. Chase is especially grateful for the Hogan Entrepreneurs because it equipped him with new skills, extensive connections, and the mindset to start new things wherever his career may lead him. “It has been such a great experience,” he emphasized.

Hogan Students Learn About Social Entrepreneurship from Chris Marvin

It was a privilege to hear from Mr. Chris Marvin, principal for Marvin Strategies, a strategy and communications consulting practice that specializes in social innovation, civic engagement, defense policy, and the veteran narrative. He is also the founder and former Executive Director of Got Your 6, a nonprofit campaign that advocated for accurate portrayals of veterans in film, television, and popular media. He served for seven years as a US Army officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot and is a combat wounded veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

Chris Marvin and Desiree Depondicchello
Chris Marvin (principal at Marvin Strategies) and Desiree Depondicchello (Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student)

Mr. Marvin took us through his journey of being a veteran of the U.S Army. While serving in Afghanistan as a platoon leader, at the age of 25, he came upon a difficult situation. He was involved in an aircraft accident which left him with two broken legs and a broken arm. Many people thought negatively of the situation, but Mr. Marvin’s mentality showed otherwise. He stated, “It was the best thing that happened to me.” Overcoming a difficult situation, creating a positive outcome of obtaining his MBA and working with non-profit organizations are amongst the accomplishments achieved by Mr. Marvin.

His mission is to change how the public portrays veterans. Veterans, as shown in various movies, are portrayed as heroes or victims. He made it questionable as to why we have these stereotypes of veterans and why we only thank them but not bother to learn more about their life. Mr. Marvin is motivated to help the public understand that veterans are a part of the community, a group that should not be segmented out. His mission inspired him to become a social entrepreneur through Got Your 6. Through this organization, he collaborated with Hollywood by networking with TV shows and movies to assist in how military characters should be portrayed. He continues his mission on working with the veteran community as well as integrating his leadership skills and entrepreneur-ism to create social change and shift cultural perceptions.

Mr. Marvin revealed that one of his biggest challenges is being labeled only as a veteran and not who he truly is as a person. Through his inspirational speech, he provided us with advice on positive impact. His speech took us on an educational journey, learning not only about veterans but also about ourselves. Mr. Marvin left us with this message: “Find projects that you are interested in and involve those you enjoy working it.”

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Desiree Depondicchello
Speaker Session with Chris Marvin: 3/1/17