Home-based business blossomed into a brick and mortar location

By: Nicole Babauta

Center Director/Certified Small Business Adviser

CNMI SBDC

      Sheanna Pangelinan was born and raised in Saipan. Art has always been her favorite subject and
her creative eye sharpened with time. As she perfected her arts and crafts, her passion to share her work with the community grew more and more. What started out as a home-based business in one of her bedrooms at home blossomed into a brick and mortar location. 4EVER CNMI offers apparel, artwork, custom-made wood signs, stickers, T-Shirts, caps, sand carving on glass, stainless steel, and metal.  

      

      When asked, “Why did you decide to start your business?” Ms. Pangelinan shares, “I decided to start my own business because I saw an opportunity to create a shopping experience that exemplifies the richness of the CNMI’s culture through locally designed and crafted merchandise. I want customers to feel inspired and proud of the CNMI’s heritage by highlighting positive aspects of our diversity and culture.” Sheanna shares that her start up process was like taking a roller coaster ride with months of planning, researching, networking and hard work. Her biggest challenge was start-up funding and cautions that every detail matters. Sheanna shares that her most memorable triumph was putting up the store front’s sign and logo as this brought her dream into reality.

      The CNMI SBDC assisted Ms. Pangelinan by providing resources and one-to-one business advising.  Ms. Pangelinan has following advice for others who want to start their business, “Go to the Small Business Development Center. Believe in your vision! Surround yourself with positive vibes and never be too proud to ask for help. People want you to succeed!”

4EVER CNMI is open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in Chalan Monsignor Guerrero in San Jose. For more information, call (670) 235-CNMI (2664).