HOLIDAY goods were sold by various women-owned businesses at the “Family Bonanza” on Capital Hill Friday, spearheaded by the CNMI Women’s Association, marking the first Women Entrepreneurs Project pop-up event.
The project is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act to support and encourage women to pursue leadership roles through business ownership.
The event featured vendors, food, drinks, entertainment, Christmas raffle giveaways, and gift-wrapping. The featured vendors were Boka Marianas, Boonie Babies Rescue, Candle J Saipan, Chagi Norf Kitchen, Come Play With Us Pet Services, Crafty Baeker, Island Dry 670, Island Skin Solutions, Kaz Estrada Weaver, Lash Expressions by Sherijean, Local Girl Lemonada, Maipe Pachotmu, Masisu Athletics, Mind2Muscles, MyCaptures Photography, Neni Girl Nails, Prima, Seasoned with Hafa Adai, Shop Neni Girl, Spn.dylus670, and Tahine’s Creations.
“The goal was to learn from it, and especially to help support and bring our women entrepreneurs together as a community, while also providing a platform for them to serve the general community this holiday season. It will definitely be the first of many,” said CWA contractor Roxanne Diaz.
“There was tremendous excitement and feedback for more events and opportunities for networking and collaboration. [It is about] women leaders lifting each other up and supporting each other, and reaching out to other women who may feel alone in their entrepreneurial journey, so as you can imagine, we look forward to much more ahead.”
Diaz gave special thanks to all vendors and volunteers, including Rivers Production owner Valentina Rivera, Local Girls Lemonada co-owner Ashley Pangelinan, Jio Rios and the MPLT staff, family therapist and entrepreneur Laura Kyonka, and CWA Program Assistant Dorina “Leimal” Iginoef for helping to put the event together in less than a week.
She likewise thanked the CWA board of directors for their support, and the Department of Finance for the ARPA-Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, which helped fund the CWA and its program and events.
The Christmas raffle giveaways included a holiday jar of Maipe Patchotmu “denanche,” two $10 Masisu Athletics gift cards, a Chagi Norf Kitchen gift basket, a Boka Marianas cutlery set, two Local Girl Lemonada drinks, a Mind2Muscles gift bag, Island Skin Solutions professional skin products, a Tahine’s Creations gift bag, Spnl.dylus670 “Simiyan Donne” studs, two Kaz Estrada Weaver items, a Candle J Saipan gift bag, Island Dry 670 necklace and earrings, a dozen Crafty Baeker cupcakes, “Si Tatå-Hu” — a Chamorro and English book by Jacqueline Iris Quitugua, a Prima gift bag, a Seasoned with Hafa Adai gift bag, a $20 Shop Neni Girl gift certificate, and much more.
CWA strives to empower women for leadership as guardians of assets, both tangible and intangible, to include political, economic, and social leadership. The non-profit association provides education and training opportunities, mentorship, advocacy, and information and referral services in a culturally competent and nurturing way, fostering self-confidence and commitment in women to maximize their potential to positively impact families.
For more information, contact CWA at (670) 233-8978 or [email protected], or visit https://www.facebook.com/cnmiwomen/.
The “Family Bonanza” was held Friday at the CWA Women’s Center on Capital Hill.
Social media sensation Netty Cee poses for a photo with Ashley Pangelinan.
Customers view products offered by vendors.
Kerri Bauer won a free copy of “Si Tatå-hu,” offered as a raffle prize by Crafty Baeker.
A local band serenades the crowd.
