(CNMI SBDC) — The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at Northern Marianas College and the CNMI Women’s Association are proud to announce a remarkable lineup of presenters for the 4th Cohort of the Women Entrepreneurship Project, to be held from October 15 to 18, 2024. This year’s cohort will feature industry-leading female professionals who will share their expertise to equip women entrepreneurs with essential business skills and strategies.
The four-day training series will highlight key topics such as credit management, business loan opportunities, state business initiatives, federal contracting, and consignment partnerships, with each session led by a respected female leader from the business community.
Tuesday, Oct. 15 – Credit Ecosystem: Building Credit and Understanding Business Loans
Presented by Joanne Aldan, assistant branch manager for Bank of Hawaii, and Vickie Izuka, vice president and branch manager for First Hawaiian Bank, Vicente Agulto, assistant vice president & business banking officer, and Piarose Aguon, senior merchant services representative of the First Hawaiian Bank, the opening session will guide participants through navigating commercial loans, building business credit, and understanding financials. Filling out a loan application can be intimidating. For the second half of the session, join First Hawaiian Bank and learn more about the business loan process and how to complete an application to help ease your mind in pursuit of accessing capital to realize your dream of becoming a business owner.
Wednesday, Oct. 16 – Exploring Commercial Loan Programs
The CEDA loan team will provide an in-depth discussion on how entrepreneurs can leverage CEDA’s Microloan and Direct Loan programs to drive business growth. Participants will gain valuable insights into accessing these funding opportunities to support their business development. Marcie Tomokane, vice president and CNMI regional manager for Bank of Guam, will present on Bank of Guam’s commercial loan offerings, review the commercial loan application, and explain the intake process for clients seeking commercial funding. Presenters will provide an overview of the SSBCI 2.0 loan opportunity. To access all available information under SSBCI 2.0, visit the CEDA website at https://www.developcnmi.com/loans/.
Thursday, Oct. 17 – The Anatomy of the RFP
Glenna Sakisat Palacios, a contractor to Headquarters Pacific Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, will lead a session on federal contracting during Day 3 of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Project Cohort 4 training series. Her session, titled “The Anatomy of the RFP” will offer participants practical insights into how to respond to Request for Proposals in the federal contracting space. Attendees will learn how to enhance their proposal development and understand the components necessary for submitting competitive bids, paving the way for new opportunities with government agencies.
Friday, Oct. 18 – Consignment Symbiosis: Partnering for Optimal Inventory Growth
Elina Gharti Chhetri, owner of Marianas Creations, will share her knowledge on how consignment partnerships can boost inventory management, sales, and brand exposure for small businesses. Also presenting on the final day is SBDC Associate Network Director Mercilynn Kaneshi Palec who will guide attendees through the essentials of setting up their booth, covering everything from creating an inviting and visually appealing space to showcasing products or services effectively. Palec will discuss how to organize the booth for optimal flow, highlight key elements of branding, and share tips for engaging with visitors to leave a lasting impression.
Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero, CNMI SBDC Network director, expressed her enthusiasm for the powerful slate of presenters for this year’s cohort. “These presenters are not only leaders in their fields, but also serve as inspiring role models for our aspiring and established women entrepreneurs. This predominantly female lineup reflects the core mission of the Women Entrepreneurship Project — to empower women to lead, innovate, and succeed in their businesses.”
Deleon Guerrero further emphasized the significance of these collaborations, stating, “We’re proud to partner with these talented women who are bringing invaluable insights to our participants. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community of entrepreneurs in the CNMI.”
The Women Entrepreneurship Project invites women across the CNMI to take part in this unique opportunity to gain knowledge, connect with mentors, and foster partnerships that can take their businesses to the next level.
To learn more about the cohort sessions, please visit the following links:
Oct. 15: Credit Ecosystem – https://marianas.ecenterdirect.com/events/1019166
Oct. 16: Exploring Commercial Lending Opportunities with CEDA & BoG – https://marianas.ecenterdirect.com/events/1019167
Oct. 17: The Anatomy of the RFP – ttps://marianas.ecenterdirect.com/events/1019168
Oct. 18: Consignment Symbiosis – https://marianas.ecenterdirect.com/events/1019169
Attendees must be a registered CNMI SBDC client and interested individuals are able to register via phone or email. Certificates of Completion will be awarded to those who attend all four sessions. Participants who miss one session may still attend but will not receive a certificate.
For more information, visit www.cnmisbdc.com or contact us at (670) 237-6888 / cnmisbdc@marianas.edu/. Follow us on social media for the latest updates: Instagram @cnmisbdc and Facebook at CNMI Small Business Development Center Network.
