Rota SBDC’s Christmas in July exceeds expectations

The Rota Small Business Development Center hosted Christmas in July-Small Business Night with resounding success. The event, held to promote local businesses and foster community spirit, saw a turnout of over a hundred attendees who enjoyed a festive evening of food, drinks, sweet treats, and holiday shopping.

The night was vibrant with cultural and modern dance performances by The Ohana Dancers and the PDK Jr., captivating the audience and adding to the festive atmosphere. The community’s enthusiasm was further fueled by a healthy competition among vendors for the best-decorated booth. Angel’s Enterprises took third place, followed by Teteto Cool Spot in second, with BBQ Beast winning best overall. The winners were awarded cash prizes of $100, $200, and $300, respectively, all generously donated by Rota’s Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the two dance groups were each rewarded $300 for their outstanding performances.

Throughout the night, attendees also had the opportunity to win raffle prizes donated by various vendors, including Homeland Enterprise, Angel’s Enterprise, NAAI, Hagu Lamun, BBQ Beast, Sweet7Oh, Chiku Chiku, Mind2Muscle, and Peter & Kayla Mendiola. These contributions added an extra layer of excitement and community engagement to the event.

The successful execution of Christmas in July-Small Business Night was made possible through the logistical support and partnership of the Rota Mayor’s Office, Rota Municipal Council, Rota Chamber of Commerce, NMC CREES, and Diana Benavente Hocog. Their combined efforts ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Charlene Manglona Ogo, Rota SBDC director, shared her thoughts on the event: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to our first Christmas in July-Small Business Night. This event highlights the strength and unity of our community and the importance of supporting local businesses. We are committed to continuing our efforts in providing platforms that allow our small businesses to thrive.”

Christmas in July holds significant importance for our small businesses, providing them with a platform to showcase their offerings, connect with the community, and boost their visibility and sales. The Rota SBDC is committed to continuing its support for small businesses through such initiatives, recognizing the vital role they play in the local economy and community well-being.

Christmas in July coming to Saipan

Join the CNMI SBDC and the Northern Marianas College this Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the As Terlaje campus on Saipan at the Building V (V. S. Sablan Vocational Training Center) parking lot from 5pm to 8pm for a night of fun and entertainment while we spread the holiday cheer this summer! There will be a friendly table decorating competition amongst our vendors and opportunities for children to enjoy a train ride around the festivity grounds while we feature some of our up-and-coming SBDC clients. Stay tuned for our complete event lineup and list of vendors to be published on all our social media platforms.

For more information about upcoming events and how the Rota SBDC supports small businesses, contact Charlene M. Ogo at (670) 532-9513. To become a client of SBDC please register at marianas.eccenterdirect.com, call (670) 237-6888, or email cnmisbdc@marianas.edu. To stay updated with your local SBDC, visit our website at www.cnmisbdc.com, @cnmisbdc on Instagram or follow us on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmisbdc.

The CNMI SBDC Network promotes a business-friendly economic infrastructure in the community, builds entrepreneurial capacity and financial literacy within that community, and provides current and nascent small businesses with the technical assistance, counseling, training, and support they need to innovate, adapt, and grow.

The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network is comprised of the CNMI SBDC lead center located in Saipan, the Rota SBDC, and Tinian SBDC. The CNMI SBDC Network is partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Northern Marianas College. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals with at least two weeks advance notice. For arrangements, please contact your local SBDC at P. O. Box 501250 Saipan, MP 96950, Tel: (670) 237-6888, or email SBDC Administrative office manager Adelpha Magona at adelpha.magofna@marianas.edu.Services are extended to the public on a non-disciplinary basis. (PR)