The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership announced that Central Pacific Bank has signed on as a signature sponsor of #SHOPSMALLHAWAII with a check of $10,000. Susan Utsugi, CPB senior vice president and director of business banking (left), presents Terri Funakoshi, MCBL director, with the check.
November 21, 2018
Darlene Dela Cruz Marketing & Communications Coordinator ddelacruz@ywcaoahu.org
On the web: www.centralpacificbank.com www.ywcaoahu.org www.mcblhawaii.org www.shopsmallhawaii.com
Central Pacific Bank signs on as $10,000 signature sponsor of #SHOPSMALLHAWAII
Honolulu, HI – Central Pacific Bank (CPB), in line with its strong commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and small business development, has signed on as the signature sponsor for the #SHOPSMALLHAWAII initiative.
On November 7, 2018, CPB’s Senior Vice President and Director of Business Banking, Susan Utsugi, presented a $10,000 sponsorship check to The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership (MCBL), a program of YWCA O‘ahu. MCBL has been spearheading the #SHOPSMALLHAWAII campaign, collaborating with community partners, Island vendors, and the U.S. Small Business Administration to spark a vibrant year-round celebration of entrepreneurial impact.
"Central Pacific Bank is proud to be the signature sponsor of #SHOPSMALLHAWAII,” said Susan Utsugi. “We have consistently been among the top Small Business Administration loan lenders in Hawai‘i and are committed to helping provide resources and tools for local entrepreneurs to grow their small businesses."
#SHOPSMALLHAWAII is a growing local hub of business experts and seasoned entrepreneurs offering business resources, tools, educational workshops, special events and promotions. MCBL, known for its signature “Launch My Business” program, is continuously working to expand #SHOPSMALLHAWAII to draw attention to the unique needs and inspiring success stories in the world of small business.
“Our goal is to bring attention to the importance of our family, friends and neighbors who are small business owners,” said Terri Funakoshi, director of MCBL. “These hardworking individuals give our island home a sense of community, and contribute to our local economy in many ways.”
The “Small Business Shopping Season” kicked off in September with a #SHOPSMALLHAWAII pau hana launch party hosted by MCBL. Hawai‘i Governor David Ige signed a proclamation in October declaring “Women in Small Business Month” in the state. The governor also signed a proclamation officially marking Nov. 24, 2018 as “Small Business Saturday” in Hawai‘i.
According to the U.S Small Business Administration, there were 126,000 small businesses in operation in Hawai‘i in 2017. These small businesses employed 267,796 people, or 51.6 percent of Hawaii’s employees. Local entrepreneurs have started businesses in diverse fields such as food, fashion, agriculture, technology, art and contracting.
Several upcoming #SHOPSMALLHAWAII events invite the public to show their support for small business shopping:
On Nov. 2, Mana Up, a local small business accelerator, hosted a showcase of products and presentations from its second cohort of budding entrepreneurs. The event was at T Galleria by Duty Free Shops in Waikiki.
On Nov. 24, a huge Small Business Saturday celebration is slated to take over Salt in Kakaako. The event, a partnership with Honolulu Night Market, has a dynamic lineup of food vendors, pop-up retailers, entertainment and activities. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend.
On Nov. 23, 24, and 25, Shop Small Hawaii will be supporting Neighborhood Champion No’eau Designers at Ka Makana Ali‘i Mall with exclusive #ShopSmallHawaii giveaways and canvas totes filled with goodies!
On Dec. 2, the “Shop Small ‘Make It!’ Hawai‘i” event at Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center in Kapolei brings together a dynamic collaboration by MCBL, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture Expo, LLC. Shop Small “Make It!” Hawai‘i features a local craft fair, Hawaiian entertainment, cultural workshops, an art gallery and a special homage to Hawaiian royalty.
· #ShopSmallHawaii will continue to host workshops and events throughout 2019.
