THE CNMI Small Business Development Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to officially open its Innovation Incubator office at Beach Road Plaza.
According to CNMI SBDC Director Nadine Deleon Guerrero, the Innovation Incubator is a one-year program designed to mentor entrepreneurs and support the growth of their businesses.
“The idea is to help them with their business planning and strategic planning so they’re more sustainable beyond the program,” she said.
Participants will receive training in financial statements, bookkeeping, maintaining credit, commercial loans, and more. The Innovation Incubator can also purchase business-related equipment and supplies, which can be loaned to participants for a year. Procurement will be managed by the CNMI Innovation Incubator team, and resources will vary based on the specific needs of each business.
This year’s cohort of innovators:
• Joshua Cook of CNMI Central (Pacific Pact, LLC), a shopping tool and directory app and website.
• Stephen Sablan of Marianas Churisos Company LLC, a food company specializing in Chamorro-style sausages.
• Chris Yang Zhu of Crownway Green Energy Company, a solar and affordable energy business.
• Thomas Joe Sablan of Highlands Lawn Care, an eco-friendly, culturally respectful landscaping service.
• Benusto Lisua of Bwiibwii’s Professional Lawncare Services, an eco-friendly yard maintenance company.
• Daisy Demapan of Bishu Marianas, a test kitchen and food manufacturing business.
• Isa Seman of Krafting Littles, a creative small business specializing in custom-made crafts for celebrations.
• Sakurako Halstead of SakuBloom, a floral arrangement service that creates floral wear and hosts workshops.
• Tina Tudela of Bobole’s Novelties, a faith-driven merchandise business.
• Samantha Salamon of Samantha Salamon Studio, a photography business.
• Jordan Ruiz of Paradise Lyric House, LLC, an independent music and creative brand.
• Cornessa Dela Cruz of Chance Boy’s, a food business creating desserts and meals inspired by local flavors.
• Tito Manglona of Kanu’ Fresku, a Tinian-based catering business providing meals fusing Chamorro and Mexican cuisine.
• Edwina Bermeo of A&E Enterprises, a Rota-based service offering biweekly trash collection, lawn and ground maintenance, and produce cultivation.
Excited, inspired
In a keynote address, Rep. Thomas Manglona, who co-started the Tribe Marianas clothing brand before his election, said he was “excited and inspired” by the Innovation Incubator program. He emphasized the importance of support for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“This is exactly the type of opportunity our inspiring entrepreneurs and talented individuals need here in the CNMI,” he said. “We have so many talented individuals in our community with incredible ideas and passions, but oftentimes they don’t know where to begin. This program is the vessel that helps turn those ideas into action and those dreams into reality.”
Northern Marianas College President Galvin Deleon Guerrero praised the participants for taking bold steps toward business success.
“That is what this center represents, this Innovation Incubator: it represents the bold aspirations of our Commonwealth,” he said, noting that participation in the program was competitive. “We couldn’t include every business, but those selected represent the boldest ideas. We often want things to come easy and quick, but when I look out in the crowd, I see so many bold people: bold political leaders, bold business leaders, and bold creatives. That’s what we need more of today. That’s what this center represents. That’s what today’s recipients represent. And that’s what the Commonwealth should represent.”
The CNMI Small Business Development Center opened the doors to the Innovation Incubator on Monday, Aug. 18.
Some of the cohort members from the Innovation Incubator pose for a photo at its office at the Beach Road Plaza.
