Marketing Connections welcomes interested entrepreneurs to our Entrepreneurial Mentorship program.

GOALS: The goal is to help educate interested students into the “real” world of entrepreneurship. Topics will include understanding the major components of managing and operating a business, developing business plans, marketing and management strategies, human resources, finance and cash flow, and starting your business strategy with a successful exit strategy. There will be a few guest speakers as well as exercises in primary and secondary market research and analyzing what will (and will not) result in a successful business model.

MARKETING CONNECTIONS: Marketing Connections is the largest Marketing and Promotional Branding company in the Pacific. Services include product invention and manufacturing in 12 countries, wholesaling, branding, promotions, online company stores, storage, fulfillment, pick and pack, custom packaging, and direct mail. We carry over 1 million different products that we can customize with a brand or logo. This dynamic business requires creativity and artwork design sales/marketing/customer support services, ability to understand digital technology, order processing and online stores, while being extremely detail oriented under a high stress deadline oriented environment.

ENTREPRENEUR: Michael Wells is the President and CEO of Marketing Connections, in his 28 years he has built the company and client base to service almost every industry and company size. Raised in Hawaii, he attended Punahou High School, then received his BA in Business Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado in 1994 when the program was in the top 15 in the country. He started with American Tee Shirt Company starting a division of screen printing inks and supplies. He received professional training by Rutland Inc. in all areas of graphic art duplication and printing on almost every substrate, from fabrics to vinyl to paper. He then wrote the business plan for Soljah Inc where he was Brand Manager and launched its first official line in 1995. He then Joined Marketing Connections in 1996 and purchased 100% ownership in 2006. Since that time, the company has grown tenfold. He has now entered into partnerships with 2 of the top 20 Promotional Product Distributors in the USA, where the business is #1 in sales and personal individual performance in top 10 in the country for 12 years in a row.

DATES: Offered 2 times a year, generally 2 hours a day for 2 weeks (20 hours). Specific dates and times to be arranged between the company and interested student's schedules.

     • June-August (Summer Break) Essay received before May 30.

     • December to Early January (Winter Break) Essay received before October 31.

APPLY: If you are interested please email the following information to [email protected]

     • Full name

     • Current school

     • Expected graduation year

     • Available for Summer or Winter session (or both)

     • Short Essay of why you want to pursue entrepreneurship as a career path (200 words or less)

ACCEPTANCE: Applicants accepted on a first come first serve basis after review of your essay.

COST: There is no cost for this program. It is offered as a free community based educational program.