To view the article, click HERE2009 Award Winners Show Talent, Resilience and Entrepreneurial SpiritBy Jane Sawyer, 3/23/2009 4:12:42 PMHONOLULU, HAWAII – The U. S. Small Business Administration is pleased to announce the Hawaii winners of the prestigious SBA Small Business Awards for 2009. Each year, SBA honors outstanding small business owners, entrepreneurs and advocates who best illustrate the important contributions of small business to the local economy and to our quality of life. The top entrepreneurs and business owners demonstrate the qualities, skills and drive to place them as leaders in their industry including job creation, growth in annual revenue, innovation, staying power, response to adversity and contributions to their community. Over thirty five outstanding business owners, advocates, and business leaders will be honored at the 22nd Annual Statewide SBA Small Business Awards Luncheon on April 24, 2009, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.The 2009 Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Hawaii is Vaughn Vasconcellos, president and CEO of Akimeka, LLC. With offices on Maui and Oahu, Vasconcellos provides high impact technology solutions and services to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. A graduate of SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, Akimeka LLC has grown under Vasconcellos’ leadership, creating over 160 jobs for talented, highly educated professionals in our state and generating millions in annual revenues. His passion for technology is demonstrated in his work on many community projects such as the Maui Digital Bus, Hawaiian Homestead Technology on Kauai, and the Mobile Care Health Project on the Big Island. Vasconcellos will represent Hawaii in the competition for the National title at the celebration of National Small Business Week from May 17-22, 2009, in Washington, D.C. with winners from the other 49 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.Top small business owners were also selected to represent each county in the State.• On Oahu, Shelley J. Wilson, founder, president and CEO of Wilson Homecare, took the City and County’s top award for her fast growing company.• For Hawaii County, Dr. John Stover, president of Hilo Oral and Facial Surgery and it’s statewide network of offices, was chosen as the 2009 Small Business Person.• Kauai’s Small Business Person of the Year is Valerie Parker, president and CEO of The Parker Group, providing comprehensive project management and technical services to DOD contractors.• Max Tsai, president and owner of TC Kokua, a customer call center for Hawaii and U.S. mainland organizations, was selected as Maui’s 2009 Small Business Person of the Year.Two of Hawaii’s top performing small businesses and advocates were also awarded regional titles in competition with other winners from California, Arizona, Nevada. The Region IX winners also enter into the national competition in their respective categories.• Michael Fairall, Mokulua Woodworking, was named “SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year” for Hawaii and Region IX.• Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone, Pacific Edge Magazine, garnered the State and Region IX title as the Small Business Journalist.Along with these noteworthy small businesses, other business owners and champions in nine different categories were also honored for their accomplishments and business acumen:The Entrepreneurial Success Award is given to a company that started as a small business and, with assistance from SBA, has since grown into a successful large business:• State of Hawaii – Timothy Moore, Michael Moore and Robert Aguiar Hoaloha Na Eha, Ltd, dba Old Lahaina Luau and Aloha Mixed Plate• City and County Of Honolulu– John Yamamoto, PEMCO, Ltd.The Family Owned Small Business Award recognizes a small business with at least a 15 year history that has been owned and operated by the family, creating jobs, increasing revenues and providing opportunities for other family members.• State of Hawaii – Jayne and Jay Kim, June Arakawa of Eki Cyclery• County of Maui – Kiyoko Komoda, Betty and Calvin Shibuya, Ikuo Komoda, Dan Komoda of Komoda Store and Bakery, Inc. in Makawao• County of Hawaii – Dwight Manago of Manago Hotel, Inc. in Captain Cook• City and County of Honolulu – Shiro Matsuo of Shiro’s Saimin Haven & Family Restaurant• County of Kauai – Frank and Pearl Nonaka, Scot and Merlyn Nonaka of Kauai Producers.The Small Business Exporter Award is presented to a small business that derives a significant portion of their sales from export outside the U.S. and is supportive of other efforts to export U.S. made products and services.• State of Hawaii – Richard Xie, President of Hawaiian Sealife, Inc.• County of Kauai – Dana Roberts, CEO of Malie, Inc.The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award identifies an individual who has successfully owned and operated a small business, increasing revenue, jobs, and demonstrating potential for long term success for at least three years before reaching the age of 30 at the time of the award. In addition to State and Regional award winner Mokulua Woodworking, the 2009 county winners include:• County of Maui – Raiatea Helm, musician and owner of Raiatea Helm Records, LLC.• City and County of Honolulu – Asa Ikeda, president and owner of Cam Security.The Financial Services Champion Award is presented to those individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to increasing access to capital, reducing regulatory burdens and helping small businesses improve their financial conditions through assistance, legislative support and other advocacy.• State of Hawaii – Jean Jeremiah, administrator for SCORE of Hawaii• County of Maui – Susie Thieman, CEO of MEO Business Development Corporation in Wailuku• County of Hawaii – Darl Gleed, Darl C. Gleed Attorney at Law in Kailua Kona• City and County of Honolulu – Michael Hulser and Jennifer Hulser of The Biz MD in Kapolei.Small Business Journalists are selected based on their work to increase public awareness about the challenges and issues that small businesses face and the contributions they make to our economy. Along with State and Regional winner Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone, other journalists honored as county winners in 2009 include:• City and County of Honolulu – Kristen Consillio, small business reporter• County of Maui – Sara Ruppenthal, owner of Maui Writers Block and freelance journalist• County of Kauai – Randy Francisco, president of the Kauai Chamber of CommerceThe Women in Business Champion award goes to those individuals who, as advocates, have fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership and who assist and support women in their quest to own, manage and direct their own company. The honorees are:• State of Hawaii – Melissa Pavlicek, owner and president of Hawaii Public Policy Advocates• County of Hawaii – Constance Cate, director of East Hawaii office of the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network• County of Maui – Carol Ball, Carol Ball and Associates• County of Kauai – Susan Tai, Kauai Economic Development Board• City and County of Honolulu – Tanna Dang, owner of the Wedding Café at Ward CentreThe Minority Small Business Champion title is awarded to those individuals who have selflessly provide assistance and support to minorities entrepreneurs and business owners.• State of Hawaii – Barbara Haliniak, small business owner and president of the Molokai Chamber of Commerce• City and County of Honolulu – Marie Villa, Latin Business Hawaii & Hawaii Hispanic NewsHome Based business has emerged as a popular alternative to the high cost of maintaining a buisiness location. The Home Based Business Award goes to an individual who has experienced the reward of owning a home based operation and has also supported others in that effort.• State of Hawaii – Agnes Reyes, president of Case Management Professionals, Inc.• County of Hawaii – Melanie Biddle, owner of Hale Ho’onaneaThe Veteran Small Business Champion’s award recognizes an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to support advancing small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The State of Hawaii title was awarded to Judy Aranaydo, a coordinator for the Pearl Harbor Fleet and Family Support Center.The 2009 SBA Small Business Award winners will be honored with special events on all islands and capped by the 22nd Annual Statewide Luncheon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Friday, April 24, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hosted by the Hawaii Women’s Business Center (HWBC), the luncheon will also feature the “Winner’s Circle,” a special business expo for award winners to showcase their products and services. Tickets to this inspiring awards event are available for $45 each through the Hawaii Women’s Business Center. Reservations can be made by calling (808) 526-1001 or by clicking on their website, http://www.hwbc.org

Click HERE to visit the Hawaii House of Representatives pageToday on the House floor, Representatives Angus McKelvey and IsaacChoy introduced their colleagues to eleven local business men and women who won U.S. Small Business Administration Awards for the State of Hawaii. A house resolution was introduced to recognize and honor the U.S. Small Business Administration’s dedication to the small business community.Awardees:Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Mr. Michael Fairall, owner and principal of Mokulua Woodworking, Ltd.Small Exporter of the Year - Mr. Richard Xie, president of HawaiianSealife Inc.Family-Owned Small Business of the Year - Jayne Kim and JuneArakawa, owners of Eki Cyclery.Small Business Journalist of the Year - Naomi Hazelton Giambrone, founder of Pacific Edge Magazine.Veteran’s Business Champion of the Year - Judy Arayanado, a Work & Family Life coordinator for the Pearl Harbor Fleet & Family Support Center for 15 years.Entrepreneurial Success of the Year - Timothy Moore, Michael Moore, and Robert Aguiar, Old Lahaiana Luau & Aloha Mixed Plate.Women in Business Champion of the Year - Melissa Pavlicek, founder and president of the Hawaii Public Policy Advocates.Financial Services Champion of the Year - Jean Jeremiah, administrator with the SCORE Association (counselors to America’s Small Business).Minority Small Business Champion of the Year - Barbara Haliniak, founder of Business Depot, Inc. and chair of the Molokai Chamber of Commerce.Home-Based Business Champion of the Year - Agnes Reyes, president of Case Management Professionals, Inc.Small Business Person of the Year - Vaughn Vasconcellos, president and chief executive officer of Akimeka LLC

3/13/09With gray skies threatening on what would otherwise be a pleasant Tuesday evening in Waikiki, entrepreneur Yancey Unequivocally (yes, that’s her name) says rain and heavy traffic would never force her to miss what she calls her “revenue-producing activity.”

At the trendy, dimly lit Aria restaurant at Century Center, she chats up other professionals over cocktails at The Business of Networking, a monthly meet-and-greet hosted by Social Wahines and Pacific Edge Magazine.

Unequivocally — an entrepreneur who legally changed her name as a branding strategy because, as she explained in an e-mail, “It is important to be different” — is among hundreds of professionals making time for midweek business networking events in Hawaii, a scene that has taken off in the last six months.

Motivated by the beleaguered economy, they’re using every avenue possible to drum up new business. Thanks in part to martini specials and pupu offered by bars and restaurants happy for the business, the awkward small talk of yesterday’s networking scene has been replaced by excited banter and deal-making between determined professionals.

“They’re off-the-charts valuable,” Unequivocally said of the four hours of networking time she tries to put in each day. “People are starting to realize, especially in this economy, that you have to get out, put your face out there, build your credibility so you can not only grow your own business but help others with new contacts.”

Even in the age of Twitter and Facebook where people are plugged into their networks by the minute, the comeback of face-to-face networking is really a return to the basics of business — building relationships.

Die-hard networkers like Toby Tamaye, president of Honolulu-based AT Marketing, say they attend up to three business networking events a week to build their Rolodex.

“This is the year where businesses need to reposition themselves in the community and you don’t do that by sitting behind your desk and just talk to your employees all day,” Tamaye said. “You don’t go to networking to land a $10,000 deal that night and once is not enough. By the second time, people recognize you and by the third time, you’re probably going to have a meeting set up for next week.”

It’s certainly more fun than cold-calling. And it’s also a practical way for businesspeople to stretch their marketing dollars since traditional advertising almost always is the first item to get slashed when sales slide.

Cory Mitsui, an independent insurance agent for State Farm Insurance Co. in Kaneohe, said 25 percent of his new business has resulted from networking events and referrals compared to the 10 percent of new business generated from direct mail and phone book advertisements.

Organizers of business networking events, including The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, say the demand is stronger now than it’s ever been.

“They’re taking every advantage they can because back when everything was good, you just don’t leave your office,” said Bryna Stankiewicz, vice president of marketing for the chamber. “It is back to basics for them to expand their referral base and know it’s important to stay connected. Even with the budget challenges, they realize that you cannot disappear off the face of the earth.”

The chamber’s monthly Business After Hours mixers, which cost $25 for members, are sold-out events that each attract between 100 and 200 people.

Attendance at meetings of Sales & Marketing Executives International Honolulu is growing. And Danielle Scherman, founder of the women’s networking group Social Wahines, said The Business of Networking events have become a huge draw since launching just a little more than a year ago.

“We’re finding better turnout for both social and business purposes and people are concerned enough to make more of an effort to get their face out there to create more long-lasting relationships, which are so valuable, especially in Hawaii,” she said.

Since it is all about gaining exposure, restaurant and nightclub owners are now clamoring to host the next networking event.

“Location is an enticement so the venues know it’s great exposure for them and we’re lined up for the entire year,” Stankiewicz said.

Even with more mission-driven attendees, many networking professionals say that there is an unwritten code of conduct that keeps the high-pressure sales pitches to a minimum.

“It’s about getting to know people and being yourself and, especially in Hawaii, people do not like to be sold at these events,” said Myles Dias, business development manager for Kilakila Employer Services. “There has to be a soft approach. I’m offended when people try to sell me because I’m a salesman and I can see it coming from across the room.”

Written by Linda Chiem  lchiem@bizjournals.com | 955-8042Click HERE to read the article in Pacific Business News

2/4/09  Pacific Edge Magazine has rolled out a new online format as a way to reach more technology-savvy readers.

The digital magazine, thepacificedge.com, has a page-turning mechanism and multimedia features including video, music and links to external Web sites. Readers can e-mail magazine content to friends or search for specific names and businesses using an issue-specific search engine.

“We are excited to enhance the magazine’s content daily and even hourly, if need be, and to track our readership statistics through the online software,” said Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone, publisher of Pacific Edge, which is a quarterly publication.

Pacific Edge’s print edition has a readership of 30,000.

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Honolulu, HI —January 6, 2009 — In an effort to reach out to Honolulu’s eco-conscious community and support discussion of today’s environmental issues, Pacific Edge Magazine has recently partnered with Green Drinks Honolulu as their official media sponsor.

Green Drinks is an internationally recognized, informal social network which comes together for cocktails every month in order to spark conversation about how to make the world a greener place. Currently, 454 cities worldwide are participating in Green Drinks networking events. The Honolulu chapter of Green Drinks meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at E & O Trading Company in Ward Centre and is open to the public.

Pacific Edge Magazine, known for its monthly networking events catering to young professionals, will continue to support local business and in addition, support sustainable living, as it promotes Green Drinks Honolulu events and assists in the efforts to raise awareness about Hawaii’s pressing ecological concerns, both through magazine editorial content and word-of-mouth communication to all Pacific Edge partners and readers.

This April Pacific Edge Magazine will launch its Green Issue, which will focus on some of Hawaii’s most inspiring eco-conscious entrepreneurs and professionals. Columns written by respected members of the local community, including Green Drinks Honolulu chapter founder, Laurens Laudowicz, will also be included in the upcoming issue.

Pacific Edge is a quarterly, cutting-edge magazine that embodies the creativity and vibrancy of Hawaii’s thriving business community. By spotlighting a group of rising young professionals in every issue, it captures the essence of youth and innovation in the marketplace. Pacific Edge was awarded Small Business Hawaii’s Business Booster Award last year for its support of local businesses. The publication is available through subscription, at Oahu Barnes & Noble stores, as well as statewide Borders locations. 

A funny thing happened this morning. I received a phone call from Julia whom is a patient of a local advertiser of ours, and also a teacher by profession. She received Pacific EDGE Magazine in the mail, and LOVED IT. She was thinking of cutting her hair and saw Thi and Wendy Do on the front cover, which reinforced that she is going to go in there next week and make an appointment. Then she realized that the Dentist (Whom she just loves) also had a presence in our magazine and remembered that she needed to go in and make an apt with him as well. Funny thing, the power of top-of-mind awareness!! She phoned this morning to say how much she loved the magazine, but also that it only reinforced her decision to style and cut her hair with the W, but also go see her dentist! She is so happy to have received it and was grateful that she was placed on the distribution list by her Dr. Again, the beauty of allowing our advertisers to grant us their database. She was very happy!

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Honolulu, HI — On May 9, 2008, Pacific EDGE Magazine received the Small Business Booster Award for 2007 at Small Business Hawaii’s Special Awards Banquet. The Small Business Booster Award honors Pacific EDGE Magazine for its promotion of small business by profiling and supporting individual businesses, sponsoring and participating in community business events and enhancing business education. Awardees are nominated and selected by Small Business Hawaii members and its Board of Directors. “The Board was enthusiastic in this selection of Pacific EDGE for 2007,” says Sam Slom, the president of Small Business Hawaii. “Pacific EDGE has demonstrated a clear passion for and an understanding of the challenges and contributions made by small business in Hawaii.” The awards banquet was held at the Waialae Country Club and publishers Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone and Jamie Giambrone were present to accept the honor. Other honorees included John Garibaldi of Hawaii Superferry for Small Business Person of the Year and Bernadette Baraquio of Just a Girl Productions for Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Pacific EDGE Magazine is the invention of Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone, who first developed the idea during her practicum for a master’s in corporate communication at Hawaii Pacific University. Regarding its growing success, she states, “It is an inspiration to see people enjoying your work, benefitting from the features, and spreading the word about the magazine.” The publication celebrated its two-year anniversary in April and has just recently released its second annual Wedding Issue, highlighting Hawaii’s local wedding industry. Pacific EDGE is a high-quality, cutting-edge, contemporary business magazine that embodies the creativity and vibrancy of Hawaii’s thriving business community. It spotlights a variety of rising young professionals in every issue, capturing the essence of inspiration and innovation in business. Other contents include art, travel, nightlife, health & wellness, dining, and information on professional clubs & organizations. To learn more, please visit thepacificedge.com.

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