A Family-Oriented Dream

Nurqalbi, originally from Indonesia, is married to a Filipino man, and together they have a one-year-old son, RB, who is the namesake of the store. For Nurqalbi, starting her own business wasn’ t just about financial independence— it was about creating a space where she could spend more time with her son and support her family.

“ My son is the love of my life, and I wanted to be there for him during his early years. Opening a business allowed me to achieve that while also working toward a future for us,” she says, reflecting on the motivation behind RB’ s Gift Shop.

From Retail Work to Entrepreneurship

Before venturing into the world of small business ownership, Nurqalbi worked at 76 Retail for four years. She gained invaluable experience in customer service and sales, which sparked her interest in running her own business. This exposure eventually led her to participate in pop-up markets, where she began selling products and learning the ropes of small business ownership.

However, taking the leap to own a business presented a new set of challenges.“ I didn’ t have the confidence to make decisions at first,” admits Nurqalbi.“ I used to rely on a friend to guide me, but I knew I had to learn to do this on my own.”

Small Business Development Center: A Key Support System

The turning point for Nurqalbi came when she reached out to the Small Business Development Center( SBDC). The center provided crucial resources, training, and mentorship, which significantly impacted

the success of her business.

“ Working with the SBDC helped me understand how to properly run a business— setting prices, managing finances, and understanding the customer’ s needs. At first, I let my friend decide everything for me because I lacked confidence,” Nurqalbi explains.“ But after one-on-one sessions with the SBDC, I felt empowered to make my own decisions and trust my judgment.”

The SBDC helped Nurqalbi navigate the complexities of pricing, marketing, and customer relations, giving her the tools she needed to run RB’ s Gift Shop more effectively.“ They gave me the confidence to set fair prices and manage my business in a way that would ensure its long-term success,” she adds.

Overcoming Obstacles

The journey to opening her own store wasn’ t without its challenges. Raising a young child while managing the demands of a new business was a struggle, especially with her husband traveling frequently for work.“ It was tough,” Nurqalbi admits.“ My husband became the primary financial supporter of the business, using his equity to fund it. He really believed in my dream and helped make it possible.”

Balancing her roles as a mother and a business owner presented some of the toughest moments for Nurqalbi.“ Finding the right balance between being a mom and running a business was one of the hardest parts,” she says.“ But I was determined to make it work, because I wanted to create something lasting for my family.”

A Triumph to Remember

Despite the hurdles, one of Nurqalbi’ s proudest moments came when she received her certificate from Chamorro Village.“ I didn’ t think I could do it, but I did,” she reflects, her voice filled with pride. This achievement marked a milestone in her entrepreneurial journey, validating all of the hard work she had put into RB’ s Gift Shop.

Looking Ahead: Goals for the Future As she looks to the future, Nurqalbi is setting both

short-term and long-term goals for her business. In the short term, she aims to establish a strong presence in Chamorro Village and continue expanding her customer base. Long-term, she hopes to grow RB’ s Gift Shop into a larger business with more locations.

“ I want to expand and offer my products to even more people, and maybe even open new locations in other parts of the island,” she shares, outlining her vision for the future.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For anyone thinking about starting their own business, Nurqalbi has some words of advice:“ Never give up, even if English isn’ t your first language. Keep pushing forward, and don’ t let challenges or doubts stop you from achieving your dreams.”

Her journey proves that with hard work, the right support, and a strong belief in yourself, anything is possible.

The Small Business Development Center( SBDC) has played an essential role in supporting RB’ s Gift Shop. By providing mentorship, resources, and guidance on crucial aspects such as pricing, marketing, and customer service, the SBDC has helped Nurqalbi develop the skills necessary to run a successful small business. The center’ s one-on-one sessions have had a lasting impact on her confidence and decision-making abilities, turning her entrepreneurial dream into a reality.

RB’ s Gift Shop continues to grow and thrive, offering local customers a place to support a family business with a strong commitment to both community and quality.

About RB’ s Gift Shop

RB’ s Gift Shop is a family-owned business located in Chamorro Village, offering a range of unique gifts and products to customers. The store, named after Nurqalbi’ s son, RB, stands as a tribute to her journey as a mother and entrepreneur. Through her partnership with the SBDC, Nurqalbi has gained the confidence and tools to run her business effectively and continue to grow in the competitive marketplace.

7 PACIFIC BUSINESS PARTNERS JUNE 2025