Perry A. Inos Jr. is Chamber Business Person of the Year

Perry A. Inos Jr. took home the 2023 Saipan Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award during SCC’s Annual Business Person of the Year Gala last Saturday night at the Kensington Hotel Saipan.

From “being the guy in the back” to being the 2023 Business Person of the Year, Inos, who shared that he worked hard day in and day out in a cubicle in the back, said, “This is to all the guys in the back who are not recognized—who are not even seen. But if you put yourselves out there, you’ll be surprised.”

The 37-year-old Inos is managing director and partner of AP Group and its affiliates. His ventures include DreamPlay, Marianas Pharmacy, Tapped Out, and Napu Brewing Co. He is also involved in the creation of affordable housing through Vista Homes and in a financial technology venture, Nakamoto Financial under NF Xpress.

The award’s other nominee is Emma Perez, president of 500 Sails, a non-profit organization that’s working to revive the CNMI’s maritime tradition.

In his speech after being named Business Person of the Year, Inos said the award is for his Rota roots as much as it is for himself. He also dedicated the award to his parents, his wife, and children.

He thanked everyone who believed in him, and his wife, and their children. “…Their endless patience, encouragement, understanding, the strength that I have on a daily basis—it’s really on family and friends, and all the positive affirmations that come from them day in and day out. When everybody’s saying ‘Oh, it’s hard times’, ‘What are you doing, are you crazy?’ …Without them and their support, this journey would not even be possible.”

He also gave credit to his business partner, Michael Sheu, past mentors Bob Jones, Mike Sablan, his Northern Marianas College alma mater, and his team.

“Without these guys, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They provide positive affirmations, continuous support, good laughs and a few drinks here and there,” he said.

Born in Guam and raised on Rota and Saipan, Inos, who is the son of Supreme Court Justice Perry Inos, said everyone is on the same ship. “We’re weathering these stormy times. I’ve learned that with faith, perseverance, patience, hard work, and loads of dumb luck—everything will be okay,” he said

He acknowledged that the CNMI business community is facing challenging times, but being together is already enough reason to celebrate.

“We’re going through very, very hard times, but being in a room and scavenging through those coffers just to be here—it’s a milestone,” he added.

His challenge to everyone in the room? “To continue to be driven not by pursuit of success, but by the impact we make in the lives of others—for those who have little or many.”

Inos’ future business goals include Xpress, a local marketplace delivery system aimed at bolstering economic growth through small businesses, and MPay, CNMI’s first indigenous digital payment platform for remittances, peer-to-peer, and business transactions.

A profile provided by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce traces Inos’ journey from foundational studies at NMC, leading to a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Hawaii and culminating in a master’s degree in business from Southern New Hampshire University.

So far, 28 business leaders in the CNMI have earned the honor of being called the Business Person of the Year for their substantial contribution to the local business sector and the community. Last year’s awardee was John Jay Santos.

The 2023 Non-Profit of the Year winner is the Autism Society of the CNMI; the 2023 Small Business of the Year is The Angry Penne; the 2023 Sustainable Business of the Year is Caravan of Food; and the 2023 Chamber Member of the Year is the Northern Marianas College.