CHINATOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER Presented by Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Chinese Chamber of Commerce Foundation
CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii was founded in 1911, initially to provide service to the merchants in Chinatown, and to assist the immigrant population assimilate into their new community. Since those humble beginnings almost 100 years ago, the Chinese Chamber has grown tremendously as an organization and now serves as a leader and an active voice for not only Chinatown but the Chinese community in Hawaii. Now comprised of prominent leaders and professionals from within the business community, the Chinese Chamber s mission is to promote business and economic development, to preserve our rich cultural heritage, and to encourage civic responsibility. Its objectives include the following: To promote commerce and industry locally and internationally. To play an active role in community and governmental affairs. To develop and perpetuate social and business relationships with other similar organizations and governmental entities, both in Hawaii and Asia. To help preserve and enhance the character and tradition of Chinatown. To promote the cultural, historic and social heritage of the Chinese in Hawaii. To help members of the Chinatown community contribute to society.
CHINATOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER To provide a training program for Chinatown merchants and other minority owned businesses in Hawaii, the Chinese Chamber is creating the Chinatown Community Development Center to be located at 8 South King Street. The mission of the Chinatown Community Development Center is to assist entrepreneurs in establishing and maintaining a small business, especially in the Chinatown area. This new Center will focus primarily on providing training and workshops for small business owners in areas ranging from running a small business to business ethics, in different languages, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Filipino. But other programs and resources will also be made available. Chinatown Community Development Center
TRAINING COURSES At the core of this new Chinatown Community Development Center will be wonderful training and educational opportunities for small business owners. An outstanding curriculum, taught by distinguished business leaders in Hawaii, will be provided on a regular basis. Sample course offerings are provided below: 1. How to Start and Operate a Small Business (a basic course in entrepreneurship) Mission and vision Legal hurdles: obtaining licenses, permits, certifications Creating the appropriate legal structure Building a business plan, budget Financing your new business Staffing your new business 2. Location, Location, Location (finding and securing a place of business) Market study Site screening Buy or lease Due diligence Tenant allowance Rendering of the Reception Area
3. Running a Successful Business (an advanced course for entrepreneurs) Formula for success Marketing and selling skills Negotiations skills Public relations and community involvement 4. Accounting Tools for Small Business Basic accounting/bookkeeping options Federal and State tax reporting and payments Internal financial controls Auditing 5. Protecting your Business Potential liabilities Risk management Insurance: property, casualty, key man, etc. Patents and copyrights 6. Environmental Law Applicable laws, regulations and programs Compliance requirements Targeted for restaurants to small administrative offices Green programs to reduce operating costs Resources available for assistance 7. Business Ethics Company values Building a culture of ethical behavior Product/service credo Doing the right things Resource stewardship Community citizenship Rendering of the Main Training Center
A distinguished faculty comprised of business leaders and professionals in Hawaii will be conducting these courses. Some of them are listed below: Eddie Flores, Jr., L&L Drive Inn Victor Lim, McDonald s of Hawaii Kenneth Chong, Real Estate Consultant Wesley Fong, Professor UH faculty and Attorney (tort & commercial litigation) Delwyn Wong, Attorney (business) Dennis Hwang, UH Faculty, Author, Attorney (environmental and land use) MICRO-ENTERPRISE MENTORING PROGRAM In addition to these workshops and classes, the Chinatown Community Development Center will also offer a Micro-Enterprise Mentoring Program, open to anyone but specifically targeted to immigrants, minority owned small businesses, and low-income groups in the Chinatown area. This mentoring program will provide subject matter experts available at specific dates and times to answer questions and provide guidance on matters such as business law problems, licensing, and the like. For qualified applicants, this program will provide a Chinese Chamber member who will serve as a mentor for all business issues. The program is free to disadvantaged individuals or groups, and a nominal fee will be charged to others. CONFERENCE AND TRAINING FACILITY The Chinatown Community Development Center will have a conference and training room available for community and organization meetings and training programs. Free Internet access and other training aids will be available. For further information, please contact: Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii 76 North King Street Suite 202 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 Phone: 533-3181 Fax: 533-3184 Email: info@chinesechamber.com