Women learn the ropes of how to be in business

The president of the Malaysian Spa Association, Datin Jeanette Tambakau, who has won several awards for her work in the industry, keynoted a recent workshop on entrepreneurship that was held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Tambakau said that summits like these are very important. “It is really important these days to empower women,” she said. “By doing this, we can accomplish so much more.”

Kodep Ogumoro Uludong, who introduced Tambakau, described her as a “visionary leader with multiple awards and accolades in the spa industry.”

The Women’s Affairs Office and the CNMI Women’s Association hosted the May 18 workshop to empower women and encourage them to become entrepreneurs.

CWA administrator Felicidad Ogumoro told Saipan Tribune that the association’s vision is for the women of the Commonwealth to be a part of the development of the CNMI by encouraging them to get into the world of entrepreneurship.

The workshop’s theme was “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to Succeed”; the workshop consisted of two panel discussions. The first panel consisted of eight women panelists who have succeeded in becoming entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs shared their stories to inspire other women to consider entrepreneurship.

The second panel consisted of five panelists who currently work under businesses that provide services for the government. They shared some of their knowledge of how it is like working for a business and especially under government-partnered businesses.

Tambakau shared that networking is a requirement if one is to succeed in becoming an entrepreneur. “It is also very important that women have good networking because through networking, we can actually help and support one another so much more,” she said.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about gaining wealth and starting your own business. According to Tambakau, entrepreneurship is offering a helping hand and being an inspiration to others.

Whoever is interested in joining the world of entrepreneurship, the best way to entice consumers is to find a need that no one has filled and to always aim to touch the hearts of people who will consume your product or will pay for the service that the business provides, she said.

“It’s all about people-to-people relationships,” said Tambakau.

Ogumoro told Saipan Tribune that the community should be expecting more workshops from the CWA and the Women’s Affairs Office.

Ogumoro and her team aims to reach out and empower young women next and encourage them to strive to become part of the economy’s growing workforce.