(Saipan, MP) Camakane Catering, is a food catering business owned by husband and wife, Chelsea and Chavez. Their business name represents the union of their families: Camacho and Kaneshi. Camakane is best known for their smoked meats and local menu plates. With a passion for cooking, Chavez started this venture with just an idea – wanting to share his love of food to his community. Not knowing where or how to start, Chelsea and Chavez turned to CNMI SBDC to get the ball rolling.
“We started with an idea. The CNMI SBDC helped us talk to the right people to establish our business. We’re more confident in ourselves as business owners.” – Chavez Kaneshi.
Camakane came to CNMI SBDC with just an idea but has since grown exponentially. Attending the free SBDC training was what helped Camakane better understand the aspects of running a small business. That added with the one-on-one confidential counseling service from CNMI SBDC kept Camakane on top of their business planning.
With the help of CNMI SBDC, Camakane became regular vendors at the Saipan Sabalu Market. As a means of generating revenue, Camakane also used their time as market vendors to survey the demand of their customers to guide the direction of their business. Additionally, Camakane has also leveraged CNMI SBDC’s small business nights for more community outreach – seeing themselves completely selling out their food items. This business presence put Camakane on the map and even landed a feature on the Saipan Tribune newspaper. Camakane plans to continue to utilize CNMI SBDC to market their business and guide them as they grow.
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 (CNMI SBDC) Network comprises the CNMI SBDC lead center located in Saipan, the Rota SBDC, and Tinian SBDC. CNMI SBDC Network is partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 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 adelpha.magofna@marianas.edu. Services are extended to the public on a non-disciplinary basis.
