PISBDCN Staff and Board Members
Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network University of Guam , UOG Station P . O . Box 5014 Mangilao , GU 96923 Telephone : ( 671 ) 735-2590 Fax : ( 671 ) 734-2002 Website : www . pacificsbdc . com
Frederick Granillo PISBDCN Network Director fred @ pacificsbdc . com Michael Taijeron , Jr . Associate Network Director michael @ pacificsbdc . com Faith Antol Network Program Associate faith @ pacificsbdc . com
Guam SBDC P . O . Box 5014 , Mangilao , Guam 96923 Telephone : ( 671 ) 735-2590 Fax : ( 671 ) 734-2002 Email : sbdc @ pacificsbdc . com Frederick Granillo , Center Director Myracle Mugol , Business Advisor / BOG WIB Program Coordinator Kenneth Hizon , Business Advisor / Training Program Coordinator Brian San Nicolas , Independent Business Advisor Contractor Angel Camacho-Paulino , Independent Business Advisor Contractor Laurine “ Lorie ” Sablan , Administrative Assistant
Chuuk SBDC P . O . Box 1604 , Weno , Chuuk , FM 96942 Telephone : ( 691 ) 330-5846 Email : chuuksbdc @ pacificsbdc . com Ketsen Haregaichig , Center Director / Business Advisor Cassandra Deras , Business Advisor
Yap SBDC P . O . Box 1171 , Colonia , Yap , FM 96943 Telephone : ( 691 ) 350-4801 Fax : ( 691 ) 350-4803 Email : yapsbdc @ pacificsbdc . com James Limar , Center Director / Business Advisor Geraldine Mitagyow , Business Advisor Helen Tinan , Office Manager
Palau SBDC P . O . Box 816 , Koror , Palau 96940 Telephone : ( 680 ) 587-6004 Fax : ( 680 ) 587-1549 Email : palausbdc @ pacificsbdc . com Ltelatk Fritz , Center Director / Business Advisor Alfia Alfonso , Office Manager
Kosrae SBDC P . O . Box 577 , Tofol , Kosrae , FM 96944 Telephone : ( 691 ) 370-2751 Fax : ( 691 ) 370-2066 Email : kosraesbdc @ pacificsbdc . com Skiller Jackson , Center Director / Business Advisor Emily O ’ Steen , Business Advisor Elsina Sepe Tolenna , Office Manager
Pohnpei SBDC Email : pohnpeisbdc @ pacificsbdc . com
Republic of Marshall Islands SBDC P . O . Box 898 , Majuro , MH 96960 Telephone : ( 692 ) 625-4624 Email : rmisbdc @ pacificsbdc . com Kathleen Candle-Jikit , Center Director / Business Advisor Leeno Aikuij , Business Advisor
PISBDCN Advisory Board Joseph Roberto , Chairman ( Guam ) Phillip Reklai , Vice Chairman ( Palau ) Frederick Granillo , Secretary ( Guam ) Lee Webber , Member ( Guam ) James Gilmar , Member ( Yap ) Douglas Marar , Member ( Chuuk ) Dr . Anita Enriquez , Member ( Guam ) Christina Garcia , Member ( Guam ) Jennifer Fowler-Hawley , Member ( RMI ) Kenneth Q . Lujan , Ex-Officio ( SBA ) Dr . Roseann Jones , Member ( Guam ) Kalistus Rengiil , Member ( Guam )
2 PACIFIC BUSINESS PARTNERS DECEMBER 2023
Yap SBDC Conducts Outreach Targeting Young Business Aspirants
As part of its community outreach efforts , following two years of hiatus due to the pandemic , the Yap Small Business Development Center ( SBDC ) had the opportune time , on April 21st , 2023 , to reinvigorate its brand to a targeted receptive and engaged audience at a Career Expo hosted by the College of Micronesia-FSM at its Yap Campus . The growth-focused event provided a venue for the SBDC , along with a handful of other development organizations , to network with more than 80 aspiring students and young community members , most of whom were in the search for an ideal career path forward . The highlights of the day were the encounters filled with
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Written by James Limar , Yap SBDC Director
an overwhelming display of interest in self-employment through small business ownership by the many young self-starter potentials who gravitated to the SBDC offerings , many of which were accessible through one-on-one business advising and business training , and by popular demand the SWM business plan competition , slated for Fall ‘ 23 , included as well . To keep hope alive , resilience abound , and growth nourish , the SBDC extended an invitation to everyone to call 691-350-4801 or email yapsbdc @ pacificsbdc . com for any follow up inquiries or to set up an appointment to meet with a Business Advisor .
for retail businesses is growing significantly . Many consumers prefer shopping at a nearby and convenient location , and as a result , many new retail stores have opened recently in the area , including hers .
Elsina ’ s biggest challenge during the process was “ to seek lending funds from the financial institutions and compiling a workable business plan .” She gives credit to the Kosrae SBDC and her business advisor , Emily O ’ Steen , for helping her with understanding the paper works needed and coming up with a business proposal .
The business proposal resulted in her business getting funding from the FSM Development Bank , which she expressed was her most memorable triumph in the start-up process . It is Elsina ’ s long term goal to expand her business to other areas such as selling local produce . She ended the interview with a piece of advice , “ Starting a business can be challenging but help is just a phone call away . Call SBDC Staff !”
Elsi-2 is open daily from 7am – 10pm . Their contact information is ( 691 ) 970-9227 .
Business Name : ELSI-2 Owner : Elsina Sepe T . Tolenna Type of Business : Retail Store Location : Finpihkal , Lelu Hours of Operation : 7 am to 10 pm Contact Information : ( 691 ) 970-9227