Business Currents - May 2022

Mahalo for being a valued CPB customer!

In this month’s Business Currents newsletter, we celebrate the 2022 Small Business Award winners, highlight our digital banking features, feature upcoming business opportunities and webinars, call on our Kapolei businesses for an exciting campaign, and more.

Let’s see what's new!

LATEST NEWS

Congratulations to This Year’s SBA Small Business Award Winners

We are extremely honored to recognize the following CPB customers who were winners of this year’s Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Awards!

These small businesses were celebrated earlier this month during the 2022 Small Business Award Ceremony at the historic Oahu YWCA. 

Experience Personalized Service On the Go with CPB’s Online Chat and Appointment Scheduler

Did you know that you have easy access to connect with us when you’re on the go? When you bank digitally with CPB, you can chat live with a CPB virtual assistant while logged into your CPB mobile app or through online banking.

With our live chat feature, get quick answers to your questions from our friendly locally-based team. You can also book an appointment online to meet with a banker over the phone or video chat from the comfort of your own home or office!

Our digital banking services are safe and secure, and are designed for the busy business owners, the on the go entrepreneurs, or those who can’t always make it to a branch. Here’s one of our customers talking about his experience using CPB digital banking.

If you want to learn more about our digital banking services or hear from other customers about their digital banking experience, visit cpb.bank/digital. 

WE by Rising Tide Program Seeking Applicants

WE by Rising Tide is accepting online applications now through June 3, 2022!

This accelerator program for women entrepreneurs is comprised of a 10-week series of workshops designed to hone financial management, marketing, and leadership skills. The program also provides a host of benefits, including advertising opportunities to promote your business, and exclusive networking events with business leaders and women executives.

A cohort of 20 women entrepreneurs will be selected, with all program fees being covered by a grant from the CPB Foundation. 

Applicant Requirements:

• Business must be 51% woman owned and a for-profit entity
• Business must be in operation for a minimum of three years and currently open for business
• Minimum yearly revenue generation of $250,000 (2021)
• Maximum yearly revenue generation of $5,000,000 (2021)

The deadline to apply is Friday, June 3. 

Click here to learn more about the WE by Rising Tide program or visit risingtidehawaii.com.

CALLING ALL KAPOLEI BUSINESSES

Participate in Live Local HI by CPB

Are you a business in Kapolei? Join Central Pacific Bank for the launch of our “Live Local HI” campaign in Kapolei, from June 6 through July 4!

The rules are simple – CPB is giving away a cash prize to two lucky winners during the campaign period – a $1,000 and $500 prize – to anyone who steps foot in your store when they complete our online form (no purchase necessary). One entry per store.

The ask of businesses: Display collateral for the campaign throughout your store during the month, and help a few lucky shoppers win cash!

 Only open to Kapolei businesses.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Mahalo for Participating in This Year’s Bloom & Bites at Tidepools

Thank you to all that came out for the Bloom & Bites Mother’s Day Market earlier this month, and a big mahalo to all the businesses who participated and made it a grand success! 

Did you know that around the corner from our grand atrium at CPB’s main branch, our Tidepools coworking space has free private conference rooms available to the public? Reserve your space today! Parking is available at Central Pacific Plaza (220 S King St.), and Tidepools guests will be provided two hours of validated parking.

Support the Hawaii Banker’s Association Food Drive: May 1 – 31

The annual Hawaii Banker’s Association Food Drive is a coalition of financial institutions working together towards the goal of providing food for the people of Hawaii who cannot always afford it. Donate a gift today and help support safe food access for all members of our ohana.

There are no physical collections in our branches, and only online monetary donations will be accepted. Here are two ways to donate:

• Visit the CPB donation page: app.mobilecause.com/vf/HBA/CentralPacificBank
• Text to donate: HBA3 to 71777

The CPB Foundation will match 50% of the donations, with a maximum cap of $2,500!

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Building Your Marketing Toolkit

Presented by the Patsy T Mink Center for Business and Leadership, join this session for a creative, hands-on workshop to learn how you can use Canva tools and resources to help with marketing your small business.

When: Friday, June 3, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: YWCA Kokokahi 45-035 Kaneohe Bay Dr., Kaneohe, HI 96744
Fee: No Cost

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.

Doing Business with the Government

The U.S. Small Business Administration, Hawaii MBDA Business Center, and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation would like to invite small business owners who are interested in doing business with the federal, state and local government to register for this free session. Topics will include:

• Getting certified with the Federal Government 8(a) Program
• Finding contracting opportunities
• Becoming certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
• How veteran, women and HUBZone Certifications can give your business an edge
• Creating your Marketing Capability Statement or Statement of Qualification (SOQ)

When: Wednesday, June 8, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Building Industry Association of Hawaii, 487 Akoki St. #213, Waipahu, HI 96797
Fee: No Cost

Advanced registration is required.

eCommerce Foundations Summer 2022 Program

Presented by the Patsy T Mink Center for Business and Leadership, this five-week course (eight total sessions) reviews the steps and details needed to start your ecommerce journey.

When: June 28 – July 28, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: YWCA Kokokahi 45-035 Kaneohe Bay Dr., Kaneohe, HI 96744
Fee: No Cost

Why and How to Apply for a Women-Owned Small Business Certification (WOSB)

This free webinar assists minority business enterprises on how to apply for a Women-Owned Small Business Certification and useful tips when applying. This class is for serious minded small businesses interested in learning about the WOSB program and the application process to increase contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the federal government

Featured speakers include Terrence Moultrie from SBA’s General Contracting Office of Contract Assistance, and Andrea Childs from the Hawaii Minority Business Development Agency Business Center.

When: Thursday, June 2, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Fee: No Cost

Starting a Business in Hawaii

Presented by the Hawaii Small Business Development Center, this online workshop will address common questions people have when thinking about starting a business and identify resources available to help you succeed.

When: Tuesday, June 7, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $15

8(a), HUBZone, and Certifications – Doing Business with the Government

Presented by the Hawaii Procurement Technical Assistance Center, this webinar will provide basic business fundamentals required to become a successful federal government contractor. You will learn how to conduct market research to determine if the federal government buys your product or service, eligibility criteria and program benefits for all small business certification programs, and what resources and partners are available to assist you.

When: Thursday, June 16, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Patsy T Mink Center for Business and Leadership Online Horizons Cohort

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, Horizons – Strategies for Business Growth and Resilience has something for everyone. This seven-week two-part course offers business fundamentals for new startups and strategies for growing businesses. This cohort offers Hawaii small business owners the right insight, knowledge and resources for a stronger future.

PART 1: MASTERING THE BUSINESS BASICS
When: June 7 – 16, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fee: $50

PART 2: ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS
When: June 28 – July 28, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fee: $150