(CNMI SBDC) — Northern Marianas College’s Rota Center and the Rota Small Business Development Center collaborated to host the “Student Welcome and Small Biz Pop-Up” on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the NMC Rota Center. This dual-purpose event welcomed students back for the new school year while promoting youth entrepreneurship within the Rota community.
The Small Biz Pop-Up showcased six small-scale vendors and aspiring business owners — many of them local youth exploring the possibility of launching their own businesses:
• Stitch and Twine – Featured a collection of handmade crocheted items, blending creativity with craftsmanship.
• KookieBatch – Served up homemade cookies and sweet treats, bringing a taste of comfort and indulgence.
• Lala Doopsies – Showcased unique handmade jewelry pieces designed with personality and flair.
• Thrift by the Sea – Provided thrifted fashion finds, giving pre-loved clothing new life and style.
• Eianne Ladao – Created handcrafted jewelry with thoughtful details and artistry.
• Star – Offered back-to-school haircuts, giving students a fresh start with affordable styling.
Together, these vendors not only introduced their products and services but also piloted their business ideas in a supportive community setting, gaining exposure and feedback to fuel their entrepreneurial journey.
“The event gave our students a warm welcome back to campus while offering a meaningful opportunity to promote entrepreneurship,” said Charlene Ogo, director and business advisor of the CNMI SBDC Rota Center. “By creating this platform, we hope to show students that business ownership is within reach, and that NMC and SBDC are here to support them every step of the way.”
The evening was made even more special thanks to the support of NMC’s Office of Student Leadership and Activities, which sponsored the Fall 2025 Welcome Event portion of the celebration.
“We’d like to give a huge shout-out to the Office of Student Leadership and Activities for sponsoring our Fall 2025 Welcome Event!” said Diana Hocog, director of the NMC Rota Center. “Students on Rota came together for a great evening filled with delicious food provided by OSAL, plenty of time to catch up with classmates, and the chance to see some amazing products from aspiring student business owners. The energy was high, the conversations were flowing, and the turnout was fantastic! Thanks to OSAL’s support, we kicked off the semester with a true sense of community and excitement. Here’s to an awesome Fall 2025!”
The event also served as a way to introduce students to local entrepreneurial opportunities and to increase awareness of the support available through the CNMI SBDC, such as free one-on-one business advising, workshops, and startup guidance.
As both the main college campus and the SBDC Lead Center are based in Saipan, events like this highlight the continued commitment of NMC and SBDC to actively engage and empower the Rota community, bringing resources and opportunities directly to local students and aspiring entrepreneurs.
For more information, contact the CNMI SBDC Lead Center at (670) 237-6888 or email cnmisbdc@marianas.edu/.
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