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Feb 2009 Vol. 5 No. 1
Check out:“The GreatAmerican SmallBusinessChallenge”
Editorial/Production StaffRindraty Celes Limtiaco, President, G.P.I.
Pacific Island Small Business DevelopmentCenter Network, Editorial
Jae Fermin Medina, Advertising Director
The Pacific Islands Small Business DevelopmentCenter is a program supported by the U.S. SmallBusiness Administration under a cooperative agree-ment and extended to the public on a non-discrim-inatory basis. SBA cannot endorse any products,opinions, or services of any external parties oractivities. This material is based on work support-ed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Anyopinions, findings, conclusions or recommenda-tions expressed are those of the author (s) and donot necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
By: Denise MendiolaHertslet, Guam SBDC
When Kurten “Kurt” Orichirowas ready to start his own
business, the easiest part waschoosing the name. GreatCleaning Service has severalmeanings for the Orichiro family. Itmeans “doing the best you can”and it is also the name of Kurt’sdaughter “Great Orichiro”.According to Kurt, “I wanted to usemy youngest daughter’s name onour business. Her name is ‘Great’and therefore, we will name thebusiness ‘Great Service’ so that itwill always remind us to do a‘Great’ job!”
This is evident in the testimoni-als that Kurt’s customers are morethan happy to contribute.According to Kurt, “The owners ofthe houses that we cleaned in thepast never complained about ourservices because we always dothe best work that we can. Theowners trusted us so much thatthey even provided me a key foreach home that I cleaned.”
Great Cleaning Service is ageneral cleaning service businessthat focuses on interior and exteri-or cleaning of homes and busi-nesses on Guam. The business isowned by Kurten Orichiro and is afamily-operated business. TheOrichiros are not new to the clean-
ing business. They moved toGuam in 1996 and worked for sev-eral established cleaning busi-nesses on the island. “Most of myfamily members were working witha sub-contractor to a large clean-ing business on Guam. My wifeand I took care of the in-housecleaning most of the time. My sis-ter used to be a supervisor for thatsame business. So we do haveextensive experience in generalcleaning and its process.” Theidea to start a cleaning businesson Guam seemed like the naturalchoice for the Orichiros.
When Kurt decided to pursuethe business, he sought the assis-tance of Denise Mendiola Hertsletat the the Guam Small BusinessDevelopment Center for businessadvisement. He signed up for theMicrocredit Training Program heldat the Guam SBDC, and after 8weeks he graduated from the pro-gram with a certificate of comple-tion. With the assistance of thePacific Islands MicrocreditInstitute, Bank of Guam, and thesupport of his peer group mem-bers, Kurt was able to receive hisfirst micro-loan and used the fundsto purchase equipment and sup-plies for this business. Today,Great Cleaning Service has con-tracts with three houses in Talofofo
Business inspired by family values
continued on page 4
INSIDE• PIMI helps through loans, training and
more, Pg 3
• WIB classes continue. Pg 3
• Palau SBDC students say goodbye, Pg 6
• RMI SBDC gets taxi service started,
Pg 7
• Women in business awareness, Pg 8
• E-bay training in Kosrae, Pg 8
• Chuuk SBDC’s new location, Pg 9
• Yap SBDC launches competition with
new partners. Pg 11
Visit our website at www.pacificsbdc.com
By Rodney Webb, GuamSBDC
Lolah’s Restaurant(Lolah’s) was acquired
by Mrs. Rosalinda (Rose)Vega in September 2008.She immediately set aboutrenovating the facility, andinstalling new kitchen equip-ment more suitable to thestyle of meals she planned tocreate.
Rodney Webb, BusinessCounselor with the GuamSBDC, assisted Rose inpreparing a business plan toguide the growth and devel-opment of the business, andas a supporting document fora business loan application.Her loan was approved by
Bank of Guam on February12, 2009.
Lolah’s is located inside theDays Inn Hotel at 155 YpaoRoad, Tamuning – just offMarine Corps Drive. It offersfine international cuisine in afamily friendly atmospherewith great tasting food servedwith efficient, friendly service.All meals are freshly pre-pared on the premises underthe direct supervision of theowner, who has 12 yearsfood preparation experience.It is open for breakfast, lunchand dinner seven days perweek.
Although it may not beobvious, Lolah’s has ampleparking spaces - in additional
continued on page 4Entrepreneurs: Owners Mr. and Mrs. Vega and their daugh-
ter Natasha in Lolah’s Restaurant.
See page 4 for moreinformation
At work: Great Cleaning Service owner Kurten “Kurt”Orichiro at work.
Lolah’s Restaurant opens
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Pacific Islands Small BusinessDevelopment Center Network
Location: University of Guam, UOG StationP.O. Box 5014, Mangilao, Guam 96923
Telephone: (671) 735-2590 • Fax: (671) 734-2002Website: www.pacificsbdc.com
Casey Jeszenka, Network [email protected]
Georgette F. Reyes, Associate Network [email protected]
Betsy Chargualaf-Iriarte, Network Operations [email protected]
Guam SBDCP.O. Box 5014, Mangilao, Guam 96923
Telephone: (671) 735-2590 • Fax: (671) 734-2002James E. (Jim) Denny, Senior Business Counselor
Denise Mendiola Hertslet, WIB ProgramCoordinator/Business Counselor
Rodney Webb, Business CounselorLorie Sablan, Administrative Assistant
Chuuk SBDCP.O. Box 1143, Weno, Chuuk,
Federated States of Micronesia 96942Telephone: (691) 330-5846 • Fax: (691) 330-5847
Email: [email protected] Haregaichig, Acting Director/ Counselor
Cassandra Dereas, Office Manager
Yap SBDCP.O. Box 1171, Colonia, Yap,
Western Caroline Island 96943Telephone: (691) 350-4801 • Fax: (691) 350-4803
Email: [email protected] Limar, Director
Monica Tinag, CounselorJacinta Primo, Office Manager
Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) SBDCP.O. Box 1727, Majuro,Marshall Islands, 96960
Telephone: (692) 625-3685Email: [email protected]
Anel Philimon, DirectorLeeno Aikuji, Office Manager
Palau SBDCP.O. Box 9, Koror,
Republic of Palau 96940Telephone: (680) 488-6004 • Fax: (680) 488-1549
Email: [email protected] Abraham, Director
Kosrae SBDCP.O. Box 577, Tofol, Kosrae State,
Federated States of Micronesia 96944Telephone: (691) 370-2751 • Fax: (691) 370-2066
Email: [email protected] Jackson, Director
Rinson Edmond, CounselorAtalia Jackson, Office Manager
PISBDCN Advisory BoardMike Ady,Chairman (Guam)
Phillip Reklai,Vice Chairman (Palau)Casey Jeszenka, Secretary (PISBDCN/Guam)
Marcel Camacho, Member (Guam)James Gilmar, Member (Yap)Robert Pinho, Member (RMI)
Fred Skilling, Member (Kosrae)Mason Fritz, Member (Chuuk)Marie Mesa, Member (Guam)
Anita Enriquez, Member (Guam)Rindraty Limtiaco, Member (Guam)
Christine Benavente, Member (Guam)Gloria Molo, Ex-Officio (GEDCA)
Ken Lujan, Ex-Officio (SBA)
Pacific Business PartnersOfficers, Staff and Board MembersPACIFIC ISLANDS SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT CENTER NETWORK2004 - 2008 statistics
The Great American Small BusinessChallenge (TGASBC) is a new national,non-profit business competition that'sdesigned to help you master the essen-tial leadership skills you need to mini-mize your company's growing-pains andmaximize your success.
The Challenge does this by helpingyou establish an effective Business-Development-Process that helps youget very organized, set realistic goals,
implement best-practices and create ascalable, sustainable ~ and even sal-able ~ company.
Best of all, you'll receive access tofree business-development software,online training and support.
Get Started Today by downloading afree copy of the Challenge Handbook.It's a 75 page, step-by-step, visualinstruction guide that includes over 80full color screen-shots, tips, worksheets,
and more by going to www.tgasbc.org!You can also contact the Guam SmallBusiness Development Center at 735-2590 and ask to make an appointmentwith a counselor to discuss the chal-lenge and how it can help your businessgrow and prosper.
The Great American Small BusinessChallenge has now started! LOG ON TO www.tgasbc.org
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TThhuurrssddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2266tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“Introduction to Financial Statements (Part 1 of 2)”Presented By: Guam SBDCFee:$20 per person
FFrr iiddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2277tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“Financial Statement Analysis (Part 2 of 2)”Presented By: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
FFrr iiddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 66tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“Guerilla Marketing”Presented by: Guam SBDC Fee: $20 per person
FFrr iiddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1133tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“How to get a Business Loan”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
SSaattuurrddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2288 ((99::0000aamm--11::0000ppmm))““Growth Venture: Setting Direction ““Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
TThhuurrssddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2266tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“The Great American Small Business Challenge”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
FFrriiddaayy,, AApprrii ll 33rrdd ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“How to Start a Business”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
FFrriiddaayy,, AApprrii ll 1100tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“How to Write a Business Plan”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
FFrr iiddaayy,, AApprr ii ll 1177tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“How to Market your Business”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
FFrr iiddaayy,, MMaayy 88tthh ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“Guerilla Marketing”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
FFrr iiddaayy,, MMaayy 2222nndd ((99::0000aamm--1111::3300aamm))“How to Prepare a Marketing Plan”Presented by: Guam SBDCFee: $20 per person
All workshops will be conducted at the
SBDC #148 Jesus & Eugenia Leon
Guerrero School of Business & Public
Administration Building on the campus of
the University of Guam. Advance signup
and payment required at least 3 days
prior to workshop date. Individuals inter-
ested in attending the workshop should
contact Lorie Sablan at 735-2590 or
email [email protected]. Requests
for reasonable accommodations must be
made 72 hours in advance. Services are
extended to the public on a non-discrimi-
natory basis.
Would you like to start yourown small business but don’thave credit or cash?By Denise Hertslet, PIMI
The Pacific Islands MicrocreditInstitute (PIMI) helps to provide people apath out of poverty through self-employ-ment and offers you an opportunity tosucceed in your small business throughtraining, small loans, peer groups, men-toring and savings.
Its objectives include:s Promote the economic growth of
the public by providing micro loans,financial & business education, a sav-ings program initiative and ongoing tech-nical assistance to qualified individualsin the program. s Through training, the participant is
able to identify new business opportuni-ties so that aspiring entrepreneurs havemarket opportunity and a competitiveadvantage.
The microcredit training program pro-vided by the Guam SBDC includes a 12-week business training cycle that focus-es on business start-up, business planwriting, budgeting, marketing, and finan-cial planning.
For more information, call DeniseMendiola Hertslet at 735-2594 [email protected].
This program is made available to lowand moderate income individuals andsponsored by the Guam SBDC andfunded by Bank of Guam.
Grads:PIMI gradu-ates now in
business
By Guam SBDC The Guam Small Business
Development Center at theUniversity of Guam announces thatthe Bank of Guam has renewed thesponsorship and $55,000 annualfunding of the Bank of GuamWomen in Business Program at theGuam SBDC for another threeyears (January 2009-December2011).
Since Bank of Guam’s sponsor-ship of the WIB program in 2006,and under the direction of DeniseMendiola Hertslet, Guam SBDCProgram Coordinator and CertifiedBusiness Counselor, the Bank ofGuam Women in BusinessProgram has assisted over 250women with their business planningneeds, conducted 75 businessplanning workshops and providedtechnical assistance that resulted inover $700,000 in loans to startbusinesses on Guam.
The WIB Program’s mission is tobuild opportunity and awareness,
and provide training and resourcesfor women in business to inspireand motivate a desire to make adifference in the community, diver-sify the economy and fulfill theirdreams of a legacy. The WIB pro-gram currently provides one-on-one business counseling servicesat the Guam SBDC, monthly WIBworkshops at the Bank of GuamHeadquarters and a Women inBusiness radio show every Fridayfrom 12pm to 2pm on Newstalk K-57.
For more information about theBank of Guam Women in BusinessProgram at the Guam SmallBusiness Development Center,UOG, contact Denise MendiolaHertslet at 671-735-2594 [email protected] information regarding theGuam Small BusinessDevelopment Center services canbe viewed at www.pacificsbdc.com.
BANK OF GUAM MAKES IT POSSIBLEFOR ANOTHER 3 YEARS! UOG GUAM
SBDC BANK OF GUAM WIB PROGRAMCONTINUES
Guam SBDC Training Schedule
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Advertising is not merely a busi-ness expense; it’s an investmentin building sales. The future of anybusiness hinges on how well youplan and implement your advertis-ing program. Yet many new smallbusiness owners confess to notbeing experts in ad planning.Relax. There is a lot you can do tocreate a sound budget for adver-tising your new enterprise.
It is common for a small busi-ness to base its advertising invest-ment as a percent of estimatedsales. Industry trade journals are agreat source of data on the aver-age advertising expenditures fordifferent types of businesses. Thisinformation can help you developa monthly or quarterly budget toplan for varying advertising needsduring the year. Depending onyour industry, you will see specialneeds arise at different times.Some types of businesses havemajor sales during particularmonths; others build heavy salesaround holidays or other seasonal
activities. Advertising sales representa-
tives will talk about rates, circula-tion, audience, or coverage. Mostrates are based on the cost perthousand for the advertisement,meaning the cost to you for reach-ing 1,000 people or homes. Besure you understand how such fig-ures are based?the cost per thou-sand for one medium may notmean the same as in anothermedium. But don’t buy ads basedsolely on cost. Consider how wellthe medium?print, broadcast oronline?will help you reach your tar-get audience.
As a business owner, evaluatethe sales that you want to drivefrom your advertisements. Yourtactics will differ if your goal is ashort-run increase through a salespromotion instead of a longer-termpush to raise sales. You must alsotake other factors into considera-tion: whether your goal is foot traf-fic, higher sales, or a specific aver-age dollar value per sale.
Get the MostFrom YourAdvertising
DollarsBy Ken Lujan, SBA GuamBranch ManagerAfter Supertyphoon Pamela’s
devastation of Guam in 1977, JongK. Kim realized that the island andits people needed to rebuild theirlives and homes. He saw anopportunity to help the island byactively engaging in the construc-tion business by establishingReliable Builders, Inc. (RBI).
With the high demand for newbuildings and the repair/renova-tions of residential houses, mostlyfinanced by the Small BusinessAdministration (SBA) and FarmersHome Administration, the companycompleted nearly 65 houses withina seven year period. According toMr. Kim, “when you think aboutgoing into a construction business,you have to consider that it is abusiness of three ‘D’s: Difficult,Dangerous, and Dirty”.
From 1985 to 1989, an influx ofinvestors from Asian countriesdescended upon the island andtriggered a boom in the construc-tion industry with new develop-ments of hotels and high-rise con-dominiums. RBI became a subcon-tractor to large contractors fromAsia and performed well whicheventually led to other projectssuch as the Guam CapitalImprovement projects as a primecontractor. However, in 1990, asudden downturn of the Asianeconomy occurred and impactedthe construction industry whichrequired them to diversify and lookfor other contract opportunities. “Asimple mistake or negligence cancause a big difference”, says Kim.“We have to try to our best andthink twice before making deci-sions.”
His decision to venture into mili-tary projects for both the Navy andAir Force on Guam allowed his
company to grow. Yet, it did notcome easily!
RBI acquired various projectsthrough competitive bidding. In2000, when the federal govern-ment replaced the competitive bidsmethod to the Request ForProposal (RFP) method, RBI lostmost of its project bids to largecontractors. “Though our bid priceswere often lower, our small sizedbusiness could not compete withthe larger contractors’ technicalqualifications. Also, our bondingcapacity had been decreased dueto non-availability of projects”, saidMr. Kim. “We desperately neededthe SBA’s assistance, and appliedfor the 8(a) program.” The SBA’s8(a) Business DevelopmentProgram is designed to assist eligi-ble small disadvantaged businessconcerns compete in the Americaneconomy through business devel-opment. Typically, small business-es are eligible if it is unconditionally
owned and controlled by one ormore socially and economically dis-advantaged individuals who aregood character and citizens of theUnited States, and which demon-strates potential for success.
On January 22, 2001, RBI wasissued the 8(a) certification by theSBA. Through the 8(a) program,RBI was awarded a sole sourceprojects which gave them theopportunity to revive their busi-ness. With the continuous supportof the SBA’s 8(a) program, RBIgrew to handle and acquire multi-million dollar projects such as thenew Veterans Clinic. In addition,they have expanded their servicesoutside the federal arena by com-pleting non-federal projects suchas the University of Guam’s Jesusand Eugenia Leon GuerreroCollege of Business and PublicAdministration Building in Mangilaoand the newly built First HawaiianBank in Tamuning. With currentprojects such as the renovation ofthe airstrip in Andersen AFB,Guam, RBI expects to continue tocomplete more projects beyondtheir graduation date from the SBA8(a) program in January 2010.
With 112 employees and yearlyrevenues within the past threeyears at approximately $20-$25million, juggling life and keepingwork, family, health, friends and hisspirit in harmony has been a chal-lenge for Mr. Kim. Although thecompany has been in operation formore than 30 years and should hedecide to retire, he would want toleave his name and companyname as reputable and well knownwithin Guam’s society. Yet, he con-tends that he is not ready to retireand continues to set high goals forthe company, one of which is reli-able service.
“Reliable Service =Reliable Builders”
Reliable: Jong K. Kim ofReliable Builders.
to parking spaces assigned bythe hotel, there is additional parkingat the back of the hotel. Therestaurant has comfortable seatingfor 42 persons, plus a private din-ing room that can accommodate 10persons.
According to our own GuamFood Guy, Ken Stewart, Lolah’s isa “keeper”:
“Lolah’s lunch is unique in thatnearly everything served (hotentrees) is priced at $9.95 andincludes iced tea, soup and saladbar. There are poultry items likeTeriyaki chicken, Fried Chicken,and Chicken Lemongrass; beefitems include Chamorro ChopSteak, Homemade HamburgerSteak, and Beef Steak w/onions;Pork dishes like the ever popularGinger Pork, Pork Cutlet, and the
Grilled Pork Chop which I also hadthat day; and finally seafood likeMahi Mahi, Breaded Basa Filet,Breaded Shrimp and Salt & PepperShrimp and the Deep Fried Tilapia.”
“The salad bar is a meal untoitself, with their famous poke andchicken kelaguen which wasincredibly good since they’d mari-nated it before barbecuing it on thegrill prior to chopping it fine. Thereare kimchis and other salad ingre-dients, as well as a soup of theday.” (Guam Diner Newsletter,December 19, 2008).
Crispy pata is another of theirspecialty dishes. If you are in theneighborhood of Ypao Road,Tamuning, don’t forget to check outLolah’s Restaurant!
For more information about theservices at the Guam SmallBusiness Development Centerplease call 735-2590 or visit thewebsite at www.pacificsbdc.com
continued from page 1
Lolah’s: Offers valueand variety
and one in Sinajana. Kurtadmits that being in business hasits challenges, but he is deter-mined to succeed. “We are confi-dent that our customers will besatisfied with our service and willhelp spread the word about ourbusiness.”
Kurten Orichiro’s story is abouta man trying to make a better lifefor his family through entrepre-neurship. The Guam SmallBusiness Development Center,the Pacific Islands MicrocreditInstitute and Bank of Guam areready to give a helping hand tothose who believe they can makea better future for themselves andtheir families through self-employ-ment.
For more information about theservices at the Guam Small
Business Development Center orthe Pacific Islands MicrocreditInstitute, contact Denise MendiolaHertslet at 735-2594 or
[email protected]. Checkout our website at www.pacificsb-dc.com.
continued from page 1
Cleaning: Family business thrives
Teamwork: Great Cleaning Service owner Kurten “Kurt”Orichiro with his team.
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Monitoring Services: A Success or Waste of Time?By Palau SBDC
Palau SBDC launches “monitoringservices”. The primary reason forlaunching monitoring service is toensure sustainability; businessesstaying in business. However, due tofunding deficiency, monitoring servic-es program can only be provided tothe center clients who have acquiredloans; for both start-up or expansionbusinesses. The centers’ goal issustainability. Thus, the question ishow do we assist center clients tothe bank, acquire loans, and ensurethat they stay in business? So far,the first two questions are constantlymet through professional develop-ment trainings provided by thePacific Islands SBDC Network.However, in regards to “ensure theystay in business” is where Palau
SBDC wants to make a difference.The primary reason is when a busi-ness is closed and goes out of busi-ness, the country’s economy cantake a dent; loss of employment, lossof various taxes; business taxes,employment taxes, and business
license fees”, comments Lisa K.Abraham, Palau SBDC. Hence,monitoring services is mainly to incu-bate businesses at their respectivebusiness sites on weaknesses. Bythis, we hope the center will be ableto facilitate business weaknesses,i.e. financials, marketing, technology,and much more for more successrates of sustainable businesses.
Therefore, we hope the public andthe private sector will invests in theirpeople through participation in thePalau SBDC’s various businessestraining programs. Training servicesis the only activity that generatesincome to support programs such asthe monitoring services. For moredetails in regards to monitoring serv-ices or Palau SBDC’s on-going train-ing topics, please contact the centerat telephone #(680)488-6004 or e-
mail at [email protected] [email protected]. Other serv-ice includes business counseling,business plan developments, andbusiness referrals, which are provid-ed for “free”.
Dedicated to its mission, the SBDCembraces every opportunity to con-duct outreach and provide its servic-es to all the state in the Republic ofPalau. For inquiries and more infor-mation, please contact the center oraccess our web site at www.pacifics-bdc.com. The Palau SBDC missionis to support the growth and econom-ic development of the Republic ofPalau by providing high quality one-on-one confidential counseling andtraining as well as innovative work-shops to existing and prospectivesmall businesses.
Palau SBDC bids farewell to its student guestsBy Palau SBDC
The Palau SBDC closed year two-thousand eight productive and openedthe new year two-thousand nine on apositive note. The progress was due tovarious reasons; First, the center wel-comed its group of internship studentsfrom three different learning institutions;from Palau Community College, is Ms.Josephine “Pina” Francisco, whoserved as an intern and following herterm, became a contract employee asan administrative assistant and sharedthe center workload. “Pina who workedwith great enthusiasm will be movingon to pursue her education, so by endof December 2008, Palau SBDC bidsher farewell with blessings in her life’sendeavor”, Ms. Lisa K. Abraham,Center Director.
Coming a long way from acrossmany, many miles of body of water, allthe way from New York, from ColumbiaSchool of Business, is Ms. Danielle “D”Noto. Ms. Noto was assigned to Palautwice during the year 2008, a first timeever situation and for good reasons.Ms. Noto, an intern referred by theDepartment of Interior (DOI) as “fellow”,was among other fellows dispatchedwithin the region (Micronesia) are usu-ally assigned to conduct research onhow to promote the islands and its eco-nomic build up efforts. Hence, Ms.Noto initially came to Palau to promotethe annual DOI Business Conferenceand the Island Business Link, a website developed by DOI to enticeinvestors to the islands and/or assistbusinessmen and prospective businessdevelopment to be established; allthese work for “free” and although herwork were “free of charge”, “D” nevergave the impression that her serviceswere free and therefore will work care-lessly. Instead, she worked proactivelyto please and help the peoples of Palauwith immense patience. We will miss“D”, but on a positive note, PalauSBDC has gained a new friend…GoodLuck Danielle.” ?
Then, a fellow Palauan who leftPalau to pursue her education comesback home to do her internship; comingfrom the neighbor island of Guam, fromthe University of Guam, is Ms. MarlaErur Ito. The experience was the firstfor Palau SBDC and a valued opportu-nity and experience. “We hope thechannel of receiving intern studentsfrom higher learning institutions fromabroad will continue. We want fellowPalauans to return home and do theirinternship as we believe it is a way toprovide a window to secure an employ-ment to come back to after college”,states Lisa K. Abraham, Director. Ms.Ito, Sociology major was handy when itcame to working with people.“Although she was not familiar with anyof us at the time, we all felt very com-fortable working with her”, Ms.Francisco, Admin. Assistant, PalauSBDC. Ms. Ito was assigned a specialproject on what returning students(from abroad) would like to see andhave access to when deciding to moveback home after college. Ms. Itoembraced her challenge and although
she was back for a short time, Ito com-pleted a comprehensive compilation listof apartments, car sales vendors, and abasic shopping list with price quota-tions. The rational is very basic withoff-island college students… “they haveattained the independence for being ontheir own, so knowing the basic infor-mation such as basic living expenses,would provide them an idea of start-upbudget, so coming home would not beso threatening”, states Ms. Ito. Hence,returning home after four, six, eight,and/or ten years, one would be confi-dent to retain their independence andstill visit families. The results of Ms.Ito’s work will support the initiativetaken by Palau Scholarship office in theweb site development for classifiedads. Similarly, a list of availableemployment opportunities will be madepossible through the Division of JobPlacement, Bureau of HumanResources, Ministry of Commerce andTrade. As this is the final steps for Ms.Ito, Palau SBDC bids her farewell andgreat success after college.
Palau SBDCTrainingFFeebbrruuaarryy 22000099WWeeddnneessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2255,, 22000099Characteristics of Effective People
TThhuurrssddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2266,, 22000099Building an Awesome Team
MMaarrcchh 22000099WWeeddnneessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1111,, 22000099Business Plan
TThhuurrssddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1122,, 22000099Financial Overview
WWeeddnneessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1188,, 22000099Marketing & Sales
TThhuurrssddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1199,, 22000099Budget Planning
AApprr ii ll 22000099WWeeddnneessddaayy,, AApprrii ll 88,, 22000099Managing Employees
TThhuurrssddaayy,, AApprr ii ll 99,, 22000099Basics of Team Building
All workshops are open to all qualified small busi-ness owners, managers, key personnel and individ-uals planning to open or thinking about startingsmall business ventures. The workshops will start
at 6:00 pm. For location, please con-tact the Palau SBDC at (680)488-6004 or email:[email protected] or [email protected]. Requests for
reasonable accommodations mustbe made72 hours in advance. Services
are extended to the public on a non-dis-criminatory basis.
Client: At left, Palau SBDC DirectorLisa K. Abraham working with client.
Internship: At right, UOG Intern – Ms. Marla E. Ito (December 23,2008 - January 20, 2009)
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FFeebbrruuaarryy 22000099WWeeddnneessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 1188,, 22000099Business Plan Overview
TThhuurrssddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 1199,, 22000099Marketing
MMaarrcchh 22000099WWeeddnneessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1111,, 22000099Marketing
TThhuurrssddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1122,, 22000099Tax and Licensing
AApprr ii ll 22000099WWeeddnneessddaayy,, AApprr ii ll 2222,, 22000099Excel Practice
TThhuurrssddaayy,, AApprr ii ll 2233,, 22000099Purchases
All workshops are open to all qualified smallbusiness owners, managers, key personneland individuals planning to open or thinkingabout starting small business ventures. Allworkshops are free of charge and will be con-ducted at RMI SBDC located at the MarshallIslands Development Bank (MIDB) in Room404. Space is limited; advance sign up isrequired to have your seat reserved. Formore information, please call Leeno Aikuij at(692) 625-3685. Registration can also bedone through a web request at www.pacifics-bdc.com or email [email protected].
Request for reasonable accommodationsmust be made 72 hours in advance. Servicesare extended to the public on a non-discrimi-natory basis. Please note: thistraining schedule is sub-ject to changewithoutnotice.
By RMI SBDC
Mr. Kim Filemoni hasbeen working for some ofthe local taxi companies formore than 10 years. TaxiService is considered to beone of the fastest revenue-generating business activi-ties on the island of Majuro.With the number of yearsemployed as a taxi driver,Kim was well aware of theamount of revenue hasbeen generated for the taxibusiness and how profitableit continues to be. For thisreason, Mr. Filemon wasinspired and encouraged tostart thinking about startingup his very own taxi servicecompany.
On September 22, 2008,Mr. Filemoni made his firstvisit to the RMI SmallBusiness DevelopmentCenter to seek help on howto obtain a small businessloan. This was a start of anew beginning for Mr.Filemoni in hopes of realiz-ing a dream of being a smallbusiness owner. By dedicat-ing an enormous amount oftime to complete all that isrequired with continuedassistance by the RMI SBD,Mr. Filemoni was well on hisway to taking that first step–submitting the completeddocuments to Bank of the
Marshall Islands (BOMI)review. Not long after theplan had been reviewed Mr.Filemoni received notifica-tion that his business pro-posal had been approved.Once again, this announce-ment definitely marked astart of a NEW BEGINNING-A DREAM COME TRUE forthe opening of K&F Taxi
Service to be owned andoperated by Mr. KimFilemoni. Funds obtained at$3,500 and $1,200 ofowner’s investment wasused to purchase the taxivehicle and get his businessstarted.
After a whole month ofoperating his own business,Mr. Filemoni then visited the
RMI SBDC to share his newbusiness experiences. Hementioned that his objec-tives and goals as reportedwithin his business plan willbe easily met. His projec-tions on daily expected num-bers of customers to beserved and amount of salesto be generated have beenwell-exceeded. He continued
on and expressed hisappreciation to our Centerfor the assistance rendered.He also mentioned that ifnot for the help received hisdream of owning his ownbusiness will still be aDREAM today. For this rea-son, Mr. Filemon is so eter-nally grateful.
The RMI SBDC extendscongratulation to Mr.Filemoni for a job well doneand for continued success.
The RMI SBDC is a mem-ber of the Pacific IslandSmall BusinessDevelopment CenterNetwork (PISBDCN), whosemission is to support thegrowth and economic devel-opment of the U.S. affiliatedislands in the western pacif-ic region by providing highquality one-on-one confi-dential counseling and train-ing to existing small busi-nesses and to small busi-ness start-ups.
For more information onthe services availablethrough the RMI SBDC,please contact 692-625-3685 or stop by the office at1727 Lagoon Boulevard,Mako Building or visit theweb atwww.pacificsbdc.com.
K&F Taxi Service Startswith RMI SBDC Assistance
RMI SBDC Training Schedule
Businessman: K&F Taxi Service owner Mr. Kim Filemon.
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By Kosrae SBDC
Once considered traditionallyremote and off limits to manywomen is now undeniably agrowing unlimited field of poten-tial. One need not argue morebut to accept the positivechanges in the traditional roles ofchild rearing and housekeepingcommonly associated with islandwomen. At least from the con-ceptual level, islanders are cur-rently experiencing wave ofchange with the continue adventof market-oriented economywhich already broke near ourshore. The shift in women futureambitions from common house-keeping roles to business careeras an option continue and needgreater attention and shouldrequire better resource invest-ment in the future. More womenneed to cultivate essential entre-preneurial skills, provide man-agement support and equallyparticipate in the developmentof the island private businesssector of the economy.
Some believe that with the inti-mate child caring and familyhousekeeping roles and respon-sibilities of many island womentoday, such can also be translat-ed into successful ownership andmanagement of businesses inthe future. In fact, it becameobvious today that some of thesuccessful and growing islandbusinesses involved at one pointat least a woman either owning,sharing ownership and manage-ment with their husband or malepartners.
In addition, island women are
observed to exhibit positive busi-ness attitudes and great sense ofownership when finding opportu-nities in the private business sec-tors. In many of island smallcommunity-based activities,women are known to exhibitunique personal qualities includ-ing but not limited to their seri-ous commitment and greatendurances to ensure future suc-cess of their organizations.
Having observed these positivebusiness attitude and shift towardmore entrepreneurial opportuni-ties for island women, the KosraeSmall Business DevelopmentCenter (KSBDC) implemented anisland-wide WOMEN IN BUSI-NESS (WIB) training targetingvarious community womengroups and associations in part-
nership with the StateDepartment of Education andother government agencies.Separate training schedules wereset at different communities withmore than 100 interested womenparticipating in the scheduleworkshops. Women’s group par-ticipants included those fromWalung, Tafunsak, Lelu , Malemand Utwe. Such an encouraginglevel of turnouts in number ofwomen participation revealedisland women being motivated tostart finding opportunities andparticipation in the future growthof the private business sector.Hopefully, such momentum andpersonal motivations will eventu-ally result in more island womenowning businesses in the future.
FFrr iiddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy2277,, 22000099 (8:30 - 12:30), Business Planning
FFrr iiddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 66,,22000099 (8:30 - 12:30), Business Planning
TThhuurrssddaayy,, MMaarrcchh1199,, 22000099 (8:30 -12:30), Cash flow manage-ment
FFrr iiddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2200,,22000099 (8:30 -2:30), Cash flow manage-ment
All workshops will be held at the KosraeSBDC training room located on the campus ofthe College of Micronesia.For more information, please contact the Kosrae SBDC at (691)370-2751 or call the municipal offices for the Outreach Training to registeryour name. Individuals interested in attending the scheduled workshopcan also submit a web request at www.pacificsbdc.com/kosrae or sendan email message to [email protected] The Kosrae SBDC is a program supported by the U.S. Small BusinessAdministration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatorybasis. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions, or services of anyexternal parties or activities. Reasonable accommodations for personswith disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
In class: WIB training participants.
Connected: eBay training participants.
Kosrae SBDC offers community-based womenin business awareness
Kosrae SBDC Training Schedule
By Kosrae SBDC
Various members ofKosrae business com-munity along with inter-ested government andfaith-based representa-tives gathered at theKosrae SBDC trainingroom on December 15,2008 as participants ofthe first basic introduc-tory eBay training work-shop for the communityof Kosrae. This trainingwas facilitated by Ms.Marilyn Paguirigan aHawaii based certifiedE-bay education spe-cialist. Ms. Paguiriganis a member of theeBay community since2003 and is an interna-tional eBay seller with13,000 transactionscompleted. She alsoowned two e-Bay storesin the United States andAustralia. She conduct-ed over 100 hundredeBay seminars to vari-ous micro entrepreneur-ial development pro-grams and a solefounder of the “Hawaii-based eBay Sellers’
This 1st e-Bay work-shop provided step-by-step lessons for smallisland business ownersand government offi-cials. The workshoppresented informationon how to market theirproduct through elec-tronic online selling andbuying activities throughonline global connectivi-ty.
Most workshop partici-pants expressed great
interest in the trainingand believe that withthe basic informationacquired including vari-ous tips on how to goon opening e-bayaccounts , do researchand creating listing, cre-ating better listing withattractive productdescription and photos,set pricing and createonline banking thoughPayPal account settingswere some of the impor-tant things learned dur-ing the training. In addi-tion, participants furtherrequested that addition-al e-bay training bemade available in thenear future to provideupdates on other e-bayapplications.
Participants furtherexpressed their greatappreciation to the co-sponsors of the trainingnamely the KosraeSBDC, Kosrae VisitorsBureau, Pacific AsiaTravel Association(PATA) and ContinentalAirlines for making thistraining possible.
For more informationon Kosrae SBDC train-ings, please contact theKosrae SBDC at(691)370-2751 or callthe municipal office forthe Outreach Training toregister your name.Individuals interested inattending the scheduledworkshop can also sub-mit a web request atwww.pacificsbdc.com/kosrae or send an emailmessage [email protected]
1st EVER eBay trainingcomes to Kosrae
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Chuuk Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC)training sessions are open to all qualified small businessowners, managers and key personnel, and to individualsplanning to open or thinking about opening a small busi-ness venture. All training sessions are FREE OF CHARGE.The sessions are held at the Chuuk SBDC, which is locat-ed on the 2nd floor of building B at Chuuk high school.Enrollment in all classes is limited. For more informationplease contact the Chuuk SBDC at (691)330-5846 oremail [email protected]. Request for reasonable accom-modations must be made 72 hours in advance. Servicesare extended to the public on anon-discriminatory basis.
The Chuuk SBDC will soon havea new location & a new look
More convenience: Chuuk SBDC’s new location is across from the Bank of Guam andnearer to the downtown businesses on Weno.
By Chuuk SBDC
The private sector businesses will soon havea more convenient location to receive busi-ness assistance from the staff at the ChuukSmall Business Development Center (SBDC).After eight years of being located at the ChuukHigh School Campus, the Chuuk SBDC willnow be located across from the Bank of Guamnear all the downtown businesses on Wenoand near the water front where businessesowners from the outer islands commute into.On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 25,2009 the Chuuk SBDC will celebrate its officialopening at the new location
Ketsen Haregaichig, Chuuk SBDC Director,stated; “The new building is in town in thebusiness area, and an ideal location for islandcommuters. The access is easier for every-one, the building will have a back-up genera-tor in times of no island power and there areno restrictions on the use of the facility likethey have had at the Chuuk High School.Being in the new building will allow the ChuukSBDC staff to be in a position to better servethe people of Chuuk.”
The Chuuk SBDC will continue to conductbusiness workshops and perform one on oneconfidential counseling to assist individualswith their business start-up and expansionplans at the new location. For more informa-tion on the opening of the new center or tosign up for business counseling or workshopsplease call the Chuuk SBDC at 330-5846.
FFrr iiddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2200tthh (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)“Business Idea Selection, Personal BalanceSheet, Marketing Aspect”Location: Land Grant Building
MMoonnddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2233rrdd (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)“Financial Statement Analysis (Day 1-Part1 of 2)Location: Land Grant Building
TTuueessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2244 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)“Financial Statement Analysis (Day 2 - Part2 of 2)Location: Land Grant Building
MMoonnddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2233rrdd (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)“MS Excel for Business”Location: Truk Stop Hotel
TTuueessddaayy ,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2244tthh (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)“MS Excel on Price Analysis/Breakeven”Location: Truk Stop Hotel
WWeeddnneessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2255tthh(9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)“MS Excel in Cashflow” Location: Truk Stop Hotel
TThhuurr ssddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2266tthh(9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)“MS Excel Double EntryBookkeeping/Inventory”Location: Truk Stop Hotel
FFrr ii ddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2277tthh (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)“MS Excel Organizing Data/QuickbookSimple”Location: Truk Stop Hotel
MMoonnddaayy ,, MMaarrcchh 1166tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Pre-Business” Location: Chuuk SBDC
TTuueessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1177tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Business Diversity” Location: Chuuk SBDC
WWeeddnneessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1188tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Business Plan” Location: Chuuk SBDC
TThhuurr ssddaayy ,, MMaarrcchh 1199tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Financial Statements” Location: Chuuk SBDC
FFrr iiddaayy ,, MMaarrcchh 2200tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Recordkeeping”Location: Chuuk SBDC
MMoonnddaayy ,, MMaarrcchh 2233rrdd (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Tax & Licensing” Location: Chuuk SBDC
TTuueessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2244tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) “Banking” Location: Chuuk SBDC
WWeeddnneessddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2255tthh (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)“Principles of Accounting”Location: Chuuk SBDC
Chuuk SBDC Training
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By Yap SBDC
Colonia, Yap---(January 19, 2009)--- The 2009Island Business Plan Challenge today launchesits 2009 season, which is expected to award$14,000.00 in prizes, and announces the Officeof JICA-Micronesia as its platinum co-sponsorand the addition of Young Entrepreneurs Society(YES)as a co-organizer.
The objective of the competition is threefold: i)to demonstrate self-employment as a viableincome-generating option, ii) to equip the partici-pants with the skills to set up and run a microenterprise, and iii) to develop motivation toencourage entrepreneurial potential and abilities.
The target audience is the young adultsbetween the ages of 16 and 27 years old. As ofthe date of this release, 23 participants havesigned up for training.
More than half a dozen organizations, includingthe local Chamber of Commerce, Yap HighSchool, USDA-RED as well as the Departmentsof Education and Youth & Civic Affairs are sup-porting this very first of its kind competition everlaunched in Yap. The principal organizer, SBDCManaging Director, James Limar, said “Onceagain, organizations of all kinds recognize theimportance of developing entrepreneurial talentin Yap, and we are grateful for their continuedand generous support. We are especially excitedand grateful to have JICA-Micronesia joining usas the platinum sponsor this year.”
Molly McAfee, who is serving as interim co-chair of YES, added, “The youth entrepreneur-ship program being run by the SBDC over thepast years has had a decisive positive influenceon the lives of many young participants. We lookforward to working with the SBDC and others toexpand on this tradition.”
As a prerequisite to entering the competition,this year’s season will feature a series of work-shops and events, to be hosted at the newly con-structed training center, to help these youngentrepreneurs not only to learn more aboutdeveloping business plans, but how to make apitch of their ideas to potential investors as well.All events are free and open to the public.
“The chamber is excited to be part of thisyear’s effort in supporting our youthful genera-tion. We look forward to future events like this,”said Phillip T. Ranganbay, President of the Boardof Directors of the Yap Chamber of Commerce.
On March 26, 2009, the principal organizeralong with the supporters will host an ElevatorPitch Contest in which every contestant is givenonly 5 minutes to present his or her businessidea to a panel of judges whose decision is finalin determining the winner of the competition. Thefinalists and the winner will be announced onMarch 27, 2009 at a closing ceremony where allparticipants and supporters will be invited toattend. Yap SBDC Advisory Board Chairman,James Gilmar proudly added, “In speaking of anelevator pitch, this is historic and uniquely anSBDC brand product, considering the SBDC
being the first to install an elevator on Yap.”Any individual or team with an innovative idea
to start a new business or take an early stagecompany to the next level of success may enterfuture competitions by calling the local SBDC at(691)-350-4801. Complete information, includingrules & regulations, application procedures,
guidelines, and business plan resources, is alsoavailable at your local SBDC situated in Suite#205 at the Yap Small Business IncubatorBuilding in downtown Colonia.
Yap SBDC launches 2009 island business plancompetition in conjunction with new partners
Yap SBDC Training ScheduleFFeebbrruuaarryy 22000099Micro Plan™Shake Out™
MMaarrcchh 22000099Business Applications Using MS Excel QuickBooks How to Write a Grant ProposalAccounting 101
AApprr ii ll 22000099Bookkeeper’s Certificate TrainingFSM Gross Receipt & Wage TaxProfit MasteryFranklin Covey 7 Habits of Bus.Manager
MMaayy 22000099MS Excel for Business Managing InventoryTourism Product DevelopmentRecord Keeping & Techniques
The following small business workshopswill be offered to business owners andpotential business owners during themonths of February t to May, 2009.For more detailed information, pleasecall 350-4801/4802 or [email protected] workshops will be conduct-ed at the new SBDC TrainingCenter in Colonia, Yap.Advance sign up required.Seating is limited to 25 par-
ticipants per session. Schedule is subjectto change without prior notice, pleasecall 350-4801 for updated information.
Challenge: The 2009 Island Business Plan Challenge launched its 2009 season, which is expect-ed to award $14,000 in prizes, and announced the Office of JICA-Micronesia as its platinum co-spon-sor and the addition of Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES)as a co-organizer.
