Small Business Programs

Women committed to small business ownership and positive economic impact.

Programs

YWahine In Business Incubator is designed to help pre and early start business owners to achieve greater business success through strong branding, financial management, and profitability.

Build Your Product Based Website is designed for product-based small businesses that explore critical principles of scaling your business online by developing your own branded Shopify website.

WE by Rising Tide is a Women Entrepreneurs program designed for Women Entrepreneurs to hone financial management, marketing, and leadership skills, and it provides a host of benefits, including fully funded advertising opportunities and access to established leaders to help selected participants grow their businesses.

WOSB ASCENT ROUNDTABLES are quarterly workshops focused on the SBA-created Ascent Platform, which provides resources and takeaways to support entrepreneurial growth.

YWahine In Business Incubator

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

Program Topics:

• Concept validation

• Business model development

• How to register your business

• Financial Basics & Beginner QuickBooks

• Funding opportunities in our community

• Marketing Basics

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays (5:30 pm - 7:30 pm)

Location: In Person
- Oriantentaion and graduation will be held in person at the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership, Downtown Honolulu

Cost: FREE

Eligibility:

• Hawaii resident

• Interest in starting a business within 6-12 months or started your business in the last year

• Committed to participating in the full YWahine In Business Incubator, plus working on your business in your free time.

Advanced registration is required.

Build Your Product Based Website

Designed for product-based small businesses that explore critical principles of scaling your business online by developing your own branded website. Workshops are facilitated by industry experts to provide technical and legal support.

Topic Covers:

• Building Your Branded Shopify Website

• SEO: Promoting Your Business Online

• Legal Aspects of Online Business

• Fulfillment and Platform Options

• Hands-on Labs and More!

Cost: $75

Advanced registration is required.

WE by Rising Tide is a Women Entrepreneurs program sponsored by CPB Foundation and aio Foundation, in partnership with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and Rising Tide Hawaii. WE by Rising Tide is a 10-week program designed for Women Entrepreneurs to hone financial management, marketing, and leadership skills, and provides a host of benefits, including fully funded advertising opportunities and access to established leaders to help selected participants grow their businesses. 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

• Exclusive opportunities to network and mentor with successful women business owners and lending executives

• Fully funded marketing package provided by CPB Foundation and aio Foundation

• WE by Rising Tide Graduation Ceremony

Application Requirements:

• Business must be 51% woman owned

• Business must be in operation for a minimum of 3 years and currently 100% open for business

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

• Maximum yearly revenue generation of $5,000,000

Program Cost: FREE

Key Dates:

• May: Application opens

• June: Application closes

• June: Applicant interviews begin

• July: Cohort acceptance announcement

• Aug: Opening Session