Join Mana Up and Bank of Hawai‘i for an insightful event featuring a two-part panel discussion designed to equip you with essential knowledge about business acquisition. Open to the public, this event will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the iconic IBM Building & House of Mana Up retail experience, in partnership with Hawaii Business Magazine.
Part one will feature local business owners who are currently in the pre-acquisition phase to share firsthand experiences. They will discuss the key factors to evaluate, the steps to prepare your business, as well as potential challenges and opportunities. In part two, financial experts will provide a deep dive into the business acquisition process, covering due diligence, financing options, negotiation and closing, and post-acquisition integration.
This event is designed for anyone interested in understanding the comprehensive process of business acquisition from both the seller’s and the buyer’s perspectives. Gain valuable insights, practical advice, and connect with industry leaders who are currently considering acquisition and those who have successfully navigated these complex phases.
Ashley Mariko Meilan Johnson founded Mohala Eyewear as most U.S. eyewear is designed for a narrow, Eurocentric face, leaving millions of women wearing poor fitting eyewear. Mohala Eyewear is an inclusive eyewear brand that offers three unique nose bridge fits, various widths, and adjustable frames to create custom fitting eyewear for all faces. Each pair sold sends a girl to school at Room to Read and 78,000 days of school have been donated to date. Ashley was a 2023 Obama Leader USA. Mohala Eyewear is available at Nordstrom and mohalaeyewear.com
A passionate advocate for storytelling, Kelleigh Stewart is the co-founder of Big Island Coffee Roasters and leads its online growth, creative, and marketing strategy. She has earned spots in the national Chase Ink® Entreprenista 100 Awards, 40 Under 40, and Women Who Mean Business Awards. In 2023, Big Island Coffee Roasters was ranked #15 in Hawaii's Fastest Growing Businesses by PBN.
Mahina is the Founder & CEO of Surf Shack Puzzles, which collaborates with wahine artists to make fun, beautiful puzzles and is dedicated to sharing aloha one piece at a time. Prior to becoming a small business owner, Mahina worked for nonprofits protecting our natural and cultural resources and taught classes and conducted community legal trainings at the law school. She is pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Politics and is a mom of 3.
Tim joined BOH in 1993, he has experience in Middle Market Commercial, Corporate & Branch Banking and has spent most of his 36-year career with Bank of Hawai‘i leading teams of bankers with a focus on commercial lending and relationship banking. Tim is a graduate of Saint Louis School and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
Dave Stinson is Vice President and Senior Manager of the Business Interests and Valuation department at Bank of Hawai‘i. He provides business valuation, business exit planning, M&A Advisory, and fiduciary asset management services for owners of private companies. He is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers in the field of Business Valuation. Mr. Stinson is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) and holds an MBA from St. Mary’s College of California and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Oregon.
Meli James is the cofounder of Mana Up, a Hawai‘i-based product business accelerator program and venture fund designed to diversify the local economy and create jobs for locals. Born and raised in Honolulu, Meli lived in Silicon Valley for more than 10 years where she co-founded numerous startups including Nirvino – a #1 ranked wine app and Apple Platform Top 100 App, during its time. She is also the president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association.
Founded by Meli and her co-founder, Brittany Heyd, Mana Up has seen 85 companies go through its business program that help local companies grow and scale to global markets, all while bringing our islands’ premium products to the world. Purchases from House of Mana Up retail shops online and in store help to create local jobs, share Hawai’i’s culture and community giveback.
We’re collaborating with Bank of Hawai’i to share the stories of Hawai‘i-based businesses making a global impact.With Bank of Hawai‘i joining the Mana Up 'ohana, together we have been able to create a new executive mentorship program and collaborate on sharing the stories of local entrepreneurs.We believe that when we all work together, we thrive. We look forward to the amazing ways the Bank of Hawai‘i team will contribute and accelerate our mission at Mana Up. Mahalo Bank of Hawai‘i!
Mana Up has worked with 95 entrepreneurs through our accelerator program. 100% of the companies in the program are headquartered in Hawai’i. Whether you’re looking for a gift or shopping for yourself, make a greater impact to our island home by buying local.
