Ryan Anderson | University Relations | 22 September 2008

Much better than a promise, James Ritchie gave a guarantee for a successful and happy life during his devotional address October 21. Ritchie, the director of the BYU-Hawaii Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship, said following his six-step formula-which includes working hard, getting up early and preparing for Church service-is secured by scriptures and prophets alike.

The guarantee, Ritchie explained, comes from two well-known scriptures: King Benjamin's address in Mosiah chapters two through five of the Book of Mormon, and the Lord's promise in Doctrine and Covenants 82:10.

Chase Barlet | University Advancement | 19 September 2008

BYU Hawaii alumnus David Ing presented a motivational lecture at the weekly Entrepreneurship Lecture Series on Thursday, September 11, 2008. Ing focused on the entrepreneurial prospects and skills by sharing his own personal experiences and insight on what it takes to prove successful not only in business, but also in life.

Graduating from BYUH as the senior class president of 1969, Ing cited the impressive progress the university has continued to initiate since he was a student here 39 years ago. "It is remarkable to see how the school has evolved and continued to grow over the years as an establishment of great education," Ing remarked, referring to the continual dedication to secular and spiritual learning the university has achieved.

Ryan Anderson | University Advancement | 12 September 2008

Two new faces now call the Willes Center for International entrepreneurship and Brigham Young University Hawaii home. James Ritchie became the Director of the CIE in August and Leonard Black joined as the new Entrepreneur-in-residence round the same time.

Together, with Charles Stratton, the Entrepreneur Specialist, the team hopes to expand the entrepreneurial vision to all students on campus and work towards building relationships with other university campuses on the island of Oahu.

Ryan Anderson | University Advancement | 4 August 2008

Mexico City, Mexico—When Jeremi and Rebecca Brewer [left, with Director Miguel Santos] walked across the stage at BYU-Hawaii’s December 2007 Commencement Ceremony, they looked like just ordinary students. But with the Brewers, there is much more than meets the eye. They both finished with a 4.0 GPA, they were the winners of the 2008 Business Plan Competition, they had an established internship in Mexico City immediately after Winter classes and they had already been accepted in a highly sought after a Ph. D program at Texas A&M.

Ryan Anderson | University Relations | 18 July 2008

Afternine months of service and many gifts given to BYU-Hawaii, Stephen and Bette Gibson have returned to their home in Provo, Utah and positions at the BYU campus there. During their short time here, the Gibsons served as volunteers, instructors, mentors and, as always, entrepreneurs.

Mike Foley | University Advancement | 23 October 2007

William K. "Bill" Richardson, a partner and managing director with DragonBridge — an international merchant bank and venture capitalist with offices in Honolulu that helps China companies go public in the U.S. market — urged BYU-Hawaii business students interested in starting their own companies to consider "high-growth entrepreneurship."

Richardson, a prominent Honolulu attorney and former volleyball player for the University of California, Santa Barbara, explained that for the past 15 years his career has revolved around venture capital in high-growth companies. "The key is building the next great company," he said.

Mike Foley | University Advancement | 23 October 2007

Stephen W. Gibson, the new Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the Mark and Laura Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship shared seven highly effective habits with BYU-Hawaii School of Business students today during the first lecture in the CIE's 2007-08 series.

Gibson, who sold his multi-state medical oxygen business in 1993 and then became an entrepreneurship professor at BYU in Provo, is perhaps better known here at this point for participating in the CIE's annual business plan competitions. In 1999 he and his wife, Bette, founded the Academy for Creative Enterprise (ACE) in Cebu, Philippines; and he was named the BYU-Hawaii Executive of the Year in 2002. He also recently started the Utah Angels, a venture capital group that helps aspiring entrepreneurs.

Mike Foley | University Advancement | 17 August 2007

BYU-Hawaii's Mark and Laura Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship (CIE) is getting a new home between the Ke Alaka'i office and the Post Office in the Aloha Center, and is moving forward with distance learning and mentoring programs.

CIE Director Gregory V. Gibson, J.D., said he's thrilled with the new facilities and the extra visibility they will give the program. Upon completion the new CIE headquarters will include offices for him, the visiting Entrepreneur in Residence, "and also all of our support systems. We'll probably move in the beginning of September," he said.

Mike Foley | University Advancement | 17 April 2007

The BYU-Hawaii Mark and Laura Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship and the Gene and Allyson Yamagata Foundation recently sponsored the second annual Japan Business Plan Competition, which drew 29 teams, and are planning to extend the program to several other Asian countries.

CIE Director Gregory V. Gibson, J.D., explained that the Yamagata Foundation hosted this year's competition among five group finalists on April 6 in the Forever Living Products Building in Tokyo.

"The contestants presented their plans before a very distinguished panel of four Tokyo businessman, who are also Church members with extensive expertise in finance and new venture formation," Gibson said. "The competition was open to all Church members in Japan."

Mike Foley | University Advancement | 27 March 2007

The BYU-Hawaii School of Business, using courses from its own curriculum and other departments, recently started a new public management minor that is open to all students.

"We're very excited about the launch of the new public management minor," said Dr. Clayton Hubner, Dean of the School of Business. "This provides an opportunity for BYU-Hawaii students to add a minor to their course of study that will enable them to improve their job prospects upon graduation

Hubner explained the new initiative, which has been under development for several years, has value "in improving the marketability of all of our students who are interested in working for governmental organizations or NGOs [non-governmental organizations] in their home countries."