Villegas to launch BizGrowth Challenge

Long-time business owner, consultant, and instructor Rik Villegas is working on setting the foundation for a program for existing local businesses that could serve as a catalyst and help turn around the economic situation of the CNMI.

BizGrowth Challenge aims to provide a challenging and competitive environment that offers tools and training for many struggling business owners by working collaboratively with organizations and experts that provide businesses with affordable resource to effectively achieve sustainable growth.

It will also recognize owners and managers of top businesses in the community who develop and apply a simple plan involving proven business principles and methods on a consistent basis to “transform” their businesses and realize targeted goals.

Villegas, in an interview, said the inspiration for the BizGrowth Challenge comes from the recent Gold’s Gym Transformation Challenge in which he participated and placed second in the 40 and above male category.

“Ultimately, the local economy is built on the back of our local businesses. With our situation right now, we need a business challenge for all these local businesses to spur our economy,” he told Saipan Tribune.

According to Villegas, there is now “a sense of urgency” in the Commonwealth to undertake the BizGrowth Challenge.

“We are looking at more budget cuts in the government and more businesses have already closed down. There is a sense of urgency. The sooner we get started with this, the sooner we can see and benefit from the results,” he said.

Villegas said participating businesses in the 12-week challenge will pay $97 to receive services valued at more than $1,800, which include a strategic growth plan; customer service articles, reports and training; a BizGrowth symposium; online resource directory; mastermind teams that conduct effective brainstorming sessions; barter network; outsourcing network; and publicity.

Villegas, who is the former director for the Small Business Development Center, said he has discussed BizGrowth Challenge with business owners and executives as well as key government agency representatives who have all expressed support for the program.

He said he is setting the foundation in the form of a key group or “master alliance” that will institute the BizGrowth challenge.

“It’s totally a private push but we will collectively benefit from it. It will spur other activities and events by planting the seed to get the ball rolling for economic growth and help spur other activities and events,” he said.

According to Villegas, the program will be unveiled during the BizGrowth Challenge Launch which is a symposium slated for June 22 and 23 at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Villegas said the symposium will offer specific group training sessions that are relevant for both existing businesses and interested investors or entrepreneurs.

“We want to provide as much resources as these businesses need and encourage investors to start their own businesses,” he explained.

What differentiates the BizGrowth symposium from other business and economic growth efforts, Villegas said, is that it will utilize and employ tools, follow through, metrics and accountability even after the event to make the challenge a success.

“We just want to show the skeptics that there’s more that we can do in our situation. There is still hope,” added Villegas.

To join the BizGrowth Challenge or for more information, contact Villegas at 321-7458 or email RikVillegas@gmail.com.