Upcoming Events + Training

WE by Rising Tide- Cohort 4
Apr
15
to May 31

WE by Rising Tide- Cohort 4

WE by Rising Tide, Cohort 4
Applications Now Open!

WE by Rising Tide is a Women Entrepreneurs program sponsored by Central Pacific Bank and aio Foundation, in partnership with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and Rising Tide Hawaii. WE by Rising Tide is an 11-session program designed for Women Entrepreneurs to hone financial management, marketing, and leadership skills, and provides a host of benefits including funded marketing consultation and access to established leaders to help selected participants grow their business. A cohort of 20 Women Entrepreneurs will be selected each year, helping to create a powerful community comprised of women business owners and women leaders in Hawaii that help each other rise. 

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • Financial management acumen to better manage your business

  • Marketing and branding strategies to help your business grow

  • Exclusive opportunities to network with successful women entrepreneurs and executives

  • Travel provided for neighbor island attendees

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

  • Business must be 51% women-owned and a for-profit entity

  • Business must be in operation for a minimum of 3 years and

  • Currently open for business

  • Minimum annual revenue generation of $250,000 (2023)

  • Maximum annual revenue generation of $5,000,000 (2023)

TIME COMMITMENT

  • This is an 11-session program culminating in a graduation. To fully benefit from the WE by Rising Tide program, a commitment of 10 of the 11 sessions is required.

PROGRAM COST

  • No program cost. All fees for 20 women entrepreneurs are being funded by Central Pacific Bank.

KEY DATES

  • April 15: Application opens

  • May 31: Application closes

  • June 6: Applicant interviews begin

  • August 7: Opening session

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

  • August 7: Opening Session 5:00p.m-7:30 p.m.

  • August 14: Financial Management 5:30-8:00 p.m. Overview of Closely Held Businesses

  • August 21: Financial Management 5:30-8:00 p.m. Understanding Your Business Financial Statements

  • August 28: Financial Management 5:30-8:00 p.m. Financial Plan & Budget

  • September 4: Financial Management 5:30-8:00 p.m. Strategies for Growth & Funding Sources

  • September 11: Journeys to Success Panel 5:30-7:30 p.m.

  • September 18: Resources for Growth 5:00-8:00 p.m. Speed Mentoring

  • September 27: Marketing Part 1 5:30-8:00 p.m.

  • September 28: Marketing Part 2 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

  • October 2: Focus on People 5:30-8:00 p.m. Attracting, Hiring & Retaining Top Talent

  • October 9: Graduation Ceremony 4:30-7:30 p.m.

**Neighbor Island cohort members attend in-person

Click here to apply today!

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YWCA Level Up! Pitch Competition
May
7

YWCA Level Up! Pitch Competition

Get ready for an exciting evening at the YWCA Level Up! Pitch Competition, presented by the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership and sponsored by TJX!

Join us to cheer on your favorite small businesses as nine entrepreneurs compete for a chance to win a share of $18,500 in prizes! Don't miss this opportunity to witness the excitement firsthand and then mingle with the pitch competitors, judges, and a network of community small business resource partners during an engaging Pau Hana.

EVENT DETAILS:

  • Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  • 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

  • YWCA Laniakea (Downtown Honolulu)

  • Tickets: $25 (includes pupus and one drink ticket)

PRIZE CATEGORIES: One winner will be chosen in each of the three categories!

  • 3 Start-ups (0-2 years in business) competing for $5,000

  • 3 Growth Businesses (2-4 years in business) competing for $6,000

  • 3 Expansion Businesses (4-5 years in business) competing for $7,500

Click here to secure your spot today for an unforgettable evening of competition, networking, and celebration!

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WE Conference
May
17

WE Conference

Hawaii Business Magazine and Central Pacific Bank are proud to present the Women Entrepreneurs Conference.

The conference is focused on helping women entrepreneurs grow their business by providing information on access to capital, revenue growth opportunities, financial management, networking, and inspiration. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from and connect with successful business owners, funders, and key players in Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Friday, May 17, 2024
11:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Prince Waikiki

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

  • Denise Woodard, Founder & CEO
    Partake Foods

  • Robynne Maii, Chef & Owner
    Fête

SESSION TOPICS: 

  • Sources of Capital & How to Draw on Them

  • Mastering the Pitch: Lessons from ABC’s Shark Tank

  • Balancing Act: Insights from Mompreneurs

  • Let’s Talk Story & Connect: Roundtable Discussions Lead by Local Entrepreneurs

  • The Grit Factor

  • Empowering Local Makers: From Launch to Scale

Click here to learn more and register!

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Building Blocks to Financial Success
Jun
25

Building Blocks to Financial Success

Building Blocks to Financial Success for Business Owners

  • Tuesday, June 25, 2024

  • 10:00 AM 11:00 AM

  • Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership (map)

Are you a business owner looking to secure a solid financial foundation for your venture? Join Shop Small Hawaii and WestPac Wealth Partners for an engaging and informative workshop where we'll explore key strategies to enhance your financial well-being.

Discussion Topics:

  • Financial Organization: Learn how to streamline your financial processes for better clarity and decision-making.

  • Protection: Understand the importance of safeguarding your business and personal assets against unforeseen challenges.

  • Savings and Effective Wealth Management: Discover practical tips for building and managing wealth efficiently.

  • Long-Term Tax Planning: Navigate the complexities of tax planning to minimize liabilities and optimize financial outcomes.

Speakers:

  • Spencer Dung, CFP®, ChFC® | Financial Advisor

  • Roxy Kiessling, Financial Advisor

FREE | online via Zoom

The Zoom information will be sent out 24 hours prior to the webinar.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

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Build Your Product Based Website
Feb
19

Build Your Product Based Website

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership, Shop Small Hawaii, and ShopYWCA for a comprehensive 5-week program comprising dynamic lectures and immersive hands-on labs guided by seasoned industry experts. Whether you're venturing into the creation of an e-commerce website or aiming to enhance an existing one, our "Build Your Product-Based Website" workshop equips participants with the essential skills, knowledge, and resources needed to kickstart, develop, and launch a successful Shopify website.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Branding and Marketing Strategies

  • Site Customization

  • Photography Techniques

  • Payment Processing

  • Appointment Scheduling

  • Online Legal Policies

  • Hands-on Labs and More

Class Information:

  • Mondays and Wednesdays

  • 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

  • February 19 - March 20

  • In-person at the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership

Facilitator: Brandon Hughes, Owner of Hoku Marketing & Suites & Lobbies

Limited seats available. Reserve your spot today to embark on this transformative e-commerce journey!

Fee: $ 75.00

Click here to register and pay!

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From Local to International - Exporting for Small Businesses
Dec
14

From Local to International - Exporting for Small Businesses

From Local to International - Exporting for Small Businesses

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and special guest speakers from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from the U.S. Small Business Administration for a FREE webinar on Exporting for Small Businesses.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • The Pros and Cons of Exporting

  • Financing Options

  • How to Select the Right Market

  • Learn about the Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program (HISTEP)

  • Q & A Session

This webinar will help the new entrepreneur determine if exporting is right for you and how to overcome barriers to entry into the exporting world. You will learn about different export funding programs, market research tools, free trade zone benefits, international codes, and how they define your business. Spots are limited. Register today!

FEATURING:

  • Mary Dale (Economic Development Specialist, SBA Hawaii District Office)

  • Jamie Lum (Business Development Program Manager, DBEDT)

FREE ONLINE VIA ZOOM
*Zoom link will be sent out 24 hours prior to the workshop

REGISTER HERE!

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Information Session - Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
Dec
8

Information Session - Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and Shop Small Hawaii for an information session to learn how you can receive Verizon’s $10,000 small business grants!

It’s free and easy to apply!

By joining Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, you gain access to free courses, events, and more. Plus, the chance to apply for $10,000 grants.

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!

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Less is More: Mastering Short-Form Video for Social Media Success
Nov
16

Less is More: Mastering Short-Form Video for Social Media Success

In today’s fast-paced world, capturing your audience’s attention with short-form video is key to social media success. In this webinar I’ll share my best tips to create videos that pack a punch in just a few seconds. I’ll show you how to develop creative ideas and craft messaging that resonates with your target audience. You’ll also learn about the latest trends and techniques in short-form video, and get hands-on experience with editing and optimizing your content for different platforms. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to up their social media video game and have fun while you’re at it!

Presented by Roni Ramos

FREE | ONLINE

REGISTER HERE!

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Beginners Guide to Building Your Shopify Website Pt. 2
Nov
15

Beginners Guide to Building Your Shopify Website Pt. 2

Are you looking to get your business online but don't know where to start? Whether you are planning to build your website yourself or work with a developer, this workshop will provide the knowledge to help you make decisions for your online business.

This workshop will cover:

  • An Overview of the Shopify Platform

  • Shopify Basics - Navigation, Pages, Products

  • Tools to Support your E-commerce Business

  • Understanding the Costs of Doing Business Online

Target Audience: Small businesses that have medium-level technical knowledge. You can navigate your way online fairly easily. However, you're looking for someone to provide you with general information on Shopify to get your e-commerce website started.

Presented by Brandon Hughes
Owner, Hoku Marketing & Suites & Lobbies

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM

REGISTER HERE!

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What Makes A Great Website
Nov
15

What Makes A Great Website

The foundation of your digital marketing strategy is your website. Without a great website, you’re building a marketing house on digital sand. Ensure your website attracts, holds, and converts new visitors and customers. After this session, you will never see websites the same again.

What you will learn:

  • Three things every home page must have to be successful

  • Why page load speed is critical

  • What is website usability and how can it help my visitors

  • How do I prevent my site from being hacked?

  • How do I select the best hosting company?

  • See & hear live website critiques randomly selected from audience attendees

Presented by Stuart Atkins
Stuart Atkins is the owner and founder of Atkins Marketing Solutions, a digital marketing agency in Orange, CA. He’s a search marketing specialist, marketing consultant, author of two books, speaker, and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Cal State Fullerton's Mihaylo College of Business and Economics. He brings over 30 years of marketing experience to every seminar. is the owner and founder of Atkins Marketing Solutions, a digital marketing agency in Orange, CA. He’s a search marketing specialist, marketing consultant, author of two books, speaker, and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Cal State Fullerton's Mihaylo College of Business and Economics. He brings over 30 years of marketing experience to every seminar.

FREE | ONLINE

REGISTER HERE!

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Live Business Mentoring and Learning: How to Get Your Loans Approved
Nov
14

Live Business Mentoring and Learning: How to Get Your Loans Approved

This workshop is embedded with Mentors who will be conducting individual sessions on a first come first serve basis during the workshop.

  • Make Valuable Connections with key Movers and Shakers

  • Learn Most Up to Date Processes and gain valuable knowledge

  • Have Your Questions Answered

Live Business Mentoring and Learning is one of Inland Empire SCORE's flagship programs that brings you the best of both of our initiatives, mentoring, and workshops. In this combined event, you will get to meet with certified mentors and business owners like yourself to discuss your topic-related questions and get real advice. This is an opportunity to get real solutions that can be implemented immediately and meet potential alliance partners to help you along the way. After our group sessions, we then come together for a workshop presented by one of the all-star instructors who graciously give their time to the business community through SCORE We look forward to seeing you prosper.

FREE | ONLINE

REGISTER HERE!

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Beginners Guide to Building Your Shopify Website Pt. 1
Nov
14

Beginners Guide to Building Your Shopify Website Pt. 1

Are you looking to get your business online but don't know where to start? Whether you are planning to build your website yourself or work with a developer, this workshop will provide the knowledge to help you make decisions for your online business.

This workshop will cover:

  • An Overview of the Shopify Platform

  • Shopify Basics - Navigation, Pages, Products

  • Tools to Support your E-commerce Business

  • Understanding the Costs of Doing Business Online

Target Audience: Small businesses that have medium-level technical knowledge. You can navigate your way online fairly easily. However, you're looking for someone to provide you with general information on Shopify to get your e-commerce website started.

Presented by Brandon Hughes
Owner, Hoku Marketing & Suites & Lobbies

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM

REGISTER HERE!

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Breaking Business Barriers for the Holiday Season
Nov
7

Breaking Business Barriers for the Holiday Season

Unlock the secrets to unprecedented holiday season success in this transformative presentation. Explore strategies and proven techniques that empower businesses to shatter limitations and elevate their performance during this crucial money-making period. From innovative marketing approaches to supply chain optimization and seamless customer experiences, attendees will discover how to transcend traditional boundaries and capitalize on the full scope of opportunities this upcoming holiday season offers.

Presented by Lauren Sweeney
Lauren is an activator and a creative thinker with a heart for public service. Disciplined, coachable, and goal-oriented, she is driven by challenges and has a passion for leadership development and collaboration. She has advanced coaching certifications from the Direct Sales World Alliance (DSWA) along with a Bachelor's of Science in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis.

FREE | ONLINE

REGISTER HERE!

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Ascent Roundtable: Disaster & Economic Recovery
Oct
23

Ascent Roundtable: Disaster & Economic Recovery

The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership and the Hawai'i Small Business Administration present a free educational workshop on disaster and economic recovery. As an entrepreneur, you understand the value of analyzing risks and planning ahead for your business’s future. Disasters can seem unlikely, but they can pose a real threat to your business. This workshop through the Ascent platform will guide you through what you need to know to understand the potential business impacts of a disaster.

Facilitator:
Cynthia Cowell
Public Information Officer, Field Operations Center - West
Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience

U.S. Small Business Administration

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!

Note: Zoom link will be sent 24 hours prior to the workshop

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KIVA Crowdfunding with Pacific Gateway Center
Oct
16

KIVA Crowdfunding with Pacific Gateway Center

Join Shop Small Hawaii and Pacific Gateway Center for an enlightening webinar where we delve into the KIVA crowdfunding microloan program! If you find yourself in need of financial support to fuel the growth of your small business, especially if traditional business credit is out of reach, consider exploring the potential of a KIVA Microloan as your solution!

Featured Speaker:
Azure Skellington, Social Enterprise Director at Pacific Gateway Center

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!

Note: Zoom link will be sent 24 hours prior to the workshop

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<a href="https://www.mcblhawaii.org/upcoming-events/2023/9/26/launch-my-business-fall-2023">YWahine in Business Incubator</a>
Oct
10
to Dec 5

YWahine in Business Incubator

  • Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This 7-week course offers business fundamentals for new startups. This cohort provides pre to early-start entrepreneurs with insight, knowledge, and resources for a stronger future.

DATES:

  • October 10th - December 5th, 2023

  • Orientation October 3rd

  • Classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays

  • NO CLASSES the week of November 19th

TIME: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

  • Orientation, classes, and graduation will be held in person at the YWCA Oahu, Downtown Honolulu

TOPICS COVERED:

  • Concept Validation

  • Business Model Development

  • How to Register Your Business

  • Financial Basics & Beginner QuickBooks

  • Funding Opportunities in our Community

  • Marketing Basics

  • Social Media Best Practices

  • Business Plan Development

  • Networking Opportunities

WHO IS RIGHT FOR THE PROGRAM?

  • You are in the early stages of concept development and are eager to learn how to take your product/service to market.

  • You’ve started selling a product/service on a small scale and now want to take your efforts to the next level (i.e., expand the market, more sales, earn a full-time income, etc.) and increase your chance of long-term success.

  • You’ve been actively operating your business for a few years (with no formal training) and now want to increase your knowledge of business management.

  • You are passionate about completing the entire course and launching your business.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Hawaii resident.

  • Interested in starting a business within 6-12 months.

  • Committed to participating in the full Launch My Business Program, plus working on your business in your free time.

COST: FREE

FACILITATOR:

  • Noela Napoleon, Lead Instructor and Business Counselor, Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership and Subject Matter Experts

Click here to register!

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Shop Small Hawaii Product Photography Workshop + Lab
Sep
13

Shop Small Hawaii Product Photography Workshop + Lab

  • Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Are you looking to enhance your product photography skills and create capturing visuals for your business? Look no further! Shop Small Hawaii is thrilled to invite you to another in-person workshop and lab, where you will learn photography best practices and hands-on techniques for taking exceptional product shots using your smartphone.

EVENT DETAILS:

  • Date: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

  • Time: 9:00a – 11:00a  

  • Location: YWCA Oahu, Laniakea | MCBL

  • Cost: $10

EQUIPTMENT REQUIREMENTS:

  • Fully charged phone

  • Pen and paper

REGISTRAION:
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today by registering at https://bit.ly/ssh-photo2023. Early registration is encouraged to guarantee your participation.

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Building Your Marketing Toolkit for Beginners &amp; Lab
Aug
29

Building Your Marketing Toolkit for Beginners & Lab

Join Shop Small Hawaii for a creative, hands-on workshop to learn how to use Canva tools and resources to help you market your small business.

Topics Covered

  • Brand Guide Basics

  • Image Creation

  • Creating Templates

  • 1-hour hands-on lab

Limited seats are available, and pre-registration is required.

Equipment Requirements

  • Fully charged laptop and charger

  • Pen and paper

  • All participants MUST have a Canva Pro Account PRIOR to the start of class.
    - If you do not already have a Canva Pro account, you can sign up for the 30-DAY FREE TRIAL at https://www.canva.com/pro/.

NOTE: Participants DO NOT NEED to purchase Canva Pro.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 808-695-2604.

Facilitated by: Brittany Montilliano (Senior Manager, Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership)

$20 | IN PERSON | MCBL, LANIAKEA

Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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Protection Basics/Insurance Needs for Business Owners
Aug
16

Protection Basics/Insurance Needs for Business Owners

Join Shop Small Hawaii and WestPac Wealth Partners for an insightful webinar as we explore the fundamentals of protection and insurance needs for business owners. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting out on your business journey, understanding the importance of adequate protection is crucial for safeguarding your enterprise.

During this webinar, we will have a special guest speaker who is an expert in commercial property and casualty insurance. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge to protect your business effectively.

Facilitators:

  • Spencer Dung, CFP®, ChFC® | Financial Advisor

  • Roxy Kiessling | Financial Advisor

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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Accounting for Creatives
Aug
15

Accounting for Creatives

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and Roseann Freitas, PR, and Communications Manager at the Better Business Bureau, for an interactive webinar. Understand how to make your passion into profit. Every business needs to make a profit to be successful, and the construction industry is no different. In this session, you will identify revenue sources.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define the basic accounting formula

  • Define the area of revenue and expenses

  • Identify revenue sources to include services and product sales

  • Describe the difference between the Cost of Goods Sold and Administrative expenses

  • Define the difference between mark-up and margin

  • Learn how mistakes affect the bottom line

Presented by: Roseann Freitas, PR, and Communications Manager at the Better Business Bureau

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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 Maui Small Business Disaster Relief Information Session
Aug
15

Maui Small Business Disaster Relief Information Session

Please join the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership and the U.S. Small Business Administration for a review of the available SBA disaster support for small businesses affected on Maui, followed by a Q&A.

Featured Speaker:
Cynthia Cowell | Public Information Officer,
Field Operations Center - West
Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience
U.S. Small Business Administration

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM
Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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Ascent Roundtable: Financial Key Performance Indicators
Aug
12

Ascent Roundtable: Financial Key Performance Indicators

Join MCBL for an insightful webinar focused on Financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and learn how to effectively track the progress of your business towards meeting its goals. Whether you're a business owner, manager, or aspiring entrepreneur, understanding and utilizing financial KPIs is crucial for driving success and making informed decisions.

Discussion Highlights:

  • How to track the progress of your business toward meeting its goals

  • Set financial KPIs as you continue to grow and scale your business with new products and services

Presented by:

  • Noela Napoleon | MCBL Lead Business Counselor & Instructor

  • Gina Loose | Vice President & Senior Business Banking Officer at Central Pacific Bank

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM
Click here to register! https://bit.ly/mcbl-ascent4

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Health & Women's Rights for Small Business Owners with the Department of Labor
Aug
2

Health & Women's Rights for Small Business Owners with the Department of Labor

Come and be a part of an engaging webinar hosted by the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership in collaboration with Enterprising Women of Color, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Department of Labor. This thought-provoking online event explores the crucial intersection of Health and Women's Rights for Small Business Owners. Gain valuable insights and knowledge from industry experts as they delve into this important topic.

Topics:

  • Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (EBSA)

  • Key Health Benefit Protections for Women (EBSA)

  • Retirement Options for Small Business Owners (EBSA)

  • Gender-Based Harassment in the Workplace (Women’s Bureau) Addressing Childcare for Women Workers (Women’s Bureau)

  • FARE (Fostering Access Rights and Equity)

  • Grant (Women’s Bureau)

  • The Pump Act (Wage & Hour Division)

  • Pay Equity (Women’s Bureau)

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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Requirements to Access a Commercial Kitchen
Jul
19

Requirements to Access a Commercial Kitchen

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center and Hoʻonui for an engaging and interactive webinar where we will delve into the essential requirements for accessing a commercial kitchen or venue for your food business. Whether you're a passionate chef, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about the industry, this webinar is for you!

During this session, we will explore the following crucial topics:

  • Government registration requirements

  • Health Department requirements

  • Commercial Insurance

  • Permitting

Facilitator: Karen Chang Barr, Founder of Hoʻonui Mobile Food Vendor Consultant

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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Starting an LGBTQ+ Business
Jul
18

Starting an LGBTQ+ Business

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center for an empowering webinar designed specifically for queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals who aspire to launch their own businesses. This comprehensive workshop will guide you toward the path of success by providing essential business knowledge and resources.

During this session, we will cover the following key topics:

  • Navigating permits and licenses

  • Understanding different business entities

  • Crafting effective business plans

  • Insights into LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) Certification

We are delighted to collaborate with esteemed organizations, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Pacific, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego & Imperial Women's Business Center.

Featured Speaker: Cally Ingebritson | Business Advisor, San Diego, and Imperial Women's Business Center

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM

Click here to register!
Advanced registration is required!

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Women's Networking Event
Jun
29

Women's Networking Event

Valia Honoulu x Aloha Cut & Cloth x Shop Small Hawaii are joining together to host the next Women's Networking Event. This casual meetup is for local female small business owners interested in meeting and collaborating with like-minded women.

Limited spots available. Deadline to RSVP is Friday, June 29. Register at bit.ly/wne-june.

Questions, email Senior Program Manager, Brittany Montilliano at bmontilliano@ywcaoahu.org.

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E-Commerce: Managing Your Brand Online
Jun
20

E-Commerce: Managing Your Brand Online

Join the Patsy T. Mink Center, the Better Business Bureau, and the Business Law Corps for an interactive workshop to help guide you on mitigating miscommunication through your social media platforms and the contracts/legalities when working with influencers.

Discussion Topics:

  • Social media best practices

  • Managing your presence through effective communication

  • Regulatory and Compliance

  • Intellectual Property

  • Privacy and Defamation

  • Influencer Contracts

Facilitators:

  • Roseann Freitas | Public Relations & Communications Manager at the Better Business Bureau (BBB): Mitigating Miscommunication

  • Ryan Hew | Managing Partner at Hew and Bordenave and Business Law Corps (BLC): Working with influencers

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM
Click here to register!

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Launch My Business - Summer 2023
Jun
6
to Jun 7

Launch My Business - Summer 2023

Launch My Business is a 7-week long course that offers business fundamentals for new startups. This cohort offers Hawaii small business owners the right insight, knowledge, and resources for a stronger future.

DATES: June 6, 2023 - July 18, 2023 - Classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays

TIME: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

WHERE: Online via Zoom

TOPICS COVERED

  • Concept Validation

  • Business Model Development

  • How to Register Your Business

  • Financial Basics & Bigger QuickBooks

  • Funding Opportunities in our Community

  • Marketing and Branding Basics

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Hawaii resident.

  • Interested in starting a business within 6-12 months

  • Committed to participating in the full Launch My Business Program, plus working on your business in your free time.

COST: $150 - Early Registration: $100 (before May 5, 2023)
Early bird registration code: EARLY

Speaker(s): Noela Napoleon, Lead Instructor and Business Counselor, Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership

Click here to register today!

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Ascent Roundtable: Developing Your Financial Projections
May
18

Ascent Roundtable: Developing Your Financial Projections

Join MCBL for an interactive workshop to help you develop your financial projections!

This workshop’s targeted attendees are early start phase businesses, with the intent to support their creation of appropriate financials that will be invaluable as they grow and then utilize for future funding.

Discussion Highlights:

  • Estimate your business’ future financial flexibility

  • Identify revenue and expense patterns or trends

  • Position your business to take advantage of market changes

Presented by:

Noela Napoleon | MCBL Lead Business Counselor & Instructor
Gina Loose | Vice President & Senior Business Banking Officer at Central Pacific Bank

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM
Click here to register! https://bit.ly/mcbl-ascent3

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The Women Entrepreneurs Conference
May
10

The Women Entrepreneurs Conference

Join MCBL as a special partner at the WE Conference!

The Women Entrepreneurs Conference is focused on helping women entrepreneurs grow their business by providing information on access to capital, revenue growth opportunities, financial management, networking and connecting, and inspiration by learning from successful women business owners.

Featured Keynote:
- Jenai Wall, Chairwoman and CEO of Foodland Super Market, Ltd.
- Ting Xu, Founder and Chairwoman of Evergreen Enterprises

Agenda:
11:30 a.m. Registration / Networking Expo
12:30 p.m. Welcome Remarks - Keynote Speaker: Ting Xu, Evergreen Enterprises
Opening General Session
1:45-2:45 p.m. Breakout Session I
Funding Your Success Stories
Crafting the Perfect Pitch
Overcoming Fear
3:00-4:00 p.m. Breakout Session II
Social Capital: How to Build Your Most Valuable Asset
Sources of Capital & How to Get It
Branding and Marketing in Today’s World
4:15-5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks - Keynote Speaker: Jenai Wall, Foodland
Closing General Session
5:15-7:00 p.m. Pau Hana 

Click here to register!

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E-commerce: Maximizing SEO for Your Online Business
May
8
to May 9

E-commerce: Maximizing SEO for Your Online Business

Join us and Brandon Hughes for a two-part interactive workshop to learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how it can help you with growing your business.

Topics include:

  • Defining SEO and its importance

  • SEO optimization techniques

  • SEO copywriting

  • 7 steps to successful SEO

  • Keyword research

  • Hands-on blog post writing

Presented by: Brandon Hughes | Owner, Hoku Marketing & Suites & Lobbies

FREE | ONLINE | VIA ZOOM
Click here to register: https://bit.ly/mcbl-SEOpt1

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Beginners Guide to QuickBooks
Apr
26

Beginners Guide to QuickBooks

Join us and Anela Wong, Owner Of Banzai Bookkeeping, for an interactive QuickBooks webinar! Anela will cover all the necessary basics of QuickBooks, leaving you with the confidence you need to get your business books off to a great start!

Topics include:

  • Quickbooks Subscriptions & Setup

  • COA

  • Bank & Credit Card Connection

  • Categorizing Transactions

  • Invoicing & Receiving Payments

  • Reports

Featured Speaker: Anela Wong, Owner Of Banzai Bookkeeping LLC

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM
Click here to register! https://bit.ly/QuickBooks-2023

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Intellectual Property as a Business Strategy
Apr
25

Intellectual Property as a Business Strategy

In Celebration of World Intellectual Property Day, MCBL and The United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO) will provide a brief overview of the four major types of intellectual property (IP) with an emphasis on patents and explain why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider them in their business plan.

Topics include:

  • Overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets

  • Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP

  • Understanding the risks of early disclosure

  • Resources and assistance available through the USPTO

Speaker: Brent Fairbanks, Assistant Outreach Coordinator and Parent Examiner

FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM
Click here to register! https://bit.ly/SBDC-ip2

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