CPB+WEbyRT+WBC
CPB+WEbyRT+WBC
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About WE by Rising Tide

You innovate, you hustle, and you create opportunity. Now join us.

You are the women entrepreneurs who shape the future, and we see you. Invest in yourself and grow your business! WE by Rising Tide is a women entrepreneurs program sponsored by Central Pacific Bank and aio Foundation, in partnership with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and Rising Tide Hawaii

Full Terms and Conditions

Program Benefits

  • Financial management acumen to better manage your business
  • Marketing and branding strategies to help your business grow
  • Exclusive opportunities to network with successful women entrepreneurs and executives

Pictured: 2023 Cohort
Previous Cohorts: 2022 Graduates

Application period currently closed

Sign up to be notified when applications open in Spring 2025

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“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the WE by Rising Tide program. The financial education, discussions, and business insights have helped me to step back from my role as a Physical Therapist running my business and take an objective look at key metrics and my goals. Coming out of this program I have a greater understanding of the financial health of my business as well as the various financial options available to help with business investment and growth.

I especially value the networking and friendships I have developed as a result of this program. Meeting other women who have experienced similar challenges in starting and managing businesses as well as social and family life has been a source of inspiration and support.”

Shawna Yee
Owner, APEX Physical Therapist Specialists

“My experience with WE by Rising Tide has been invaluable. As we continue to grow as a company, the resources provided were relevant and well-timed for our journey. It helped to move my strategy conversations to the next level with confidence. Most importantly, the network of other female entrepreneurs really provided support that continues to grow and provide a safe space for sharing and collaboration.”

Jalene Kanani Hitzeman
President & Creative Director, NOHO HOME

“The experience helped to improve my confidence and acumen as a female business owner. While the 10-week program itself was amazing, CPB also hosts alumni events that are a big benefit. The greatest outcome is an ecosystem of resources, bankers, and education, all to support local female entrepreneurs.”

Rose Wong
Founder and Owner of Kolohe
"The mentors who came in were all really successful business owners who were all women, and they were just so inspirational, and so open to talking with us and giving their time. That was really impactful and it made me want to be able to do the same thing if I could get that successful. At the end of the day, relationships in Hawaii are so important and the relationships that we were able to build in our cohort were life changing."
Katie Bennett
Founder and Owner, Family Mediation Hawaii
"The WE by Rising Tide program is so worth it. There's something for everybody. I think it's so important for female entrepreneurs to connect, especially on island, and I think it's a really great program and everyone should take advantage of it if they have the chance.”
Alice Kim
Founder of Elizabeth Mott and Hanalei
The WE by Rising Tide program really helped to expand my network as far as engaging with women who are like minded. It helped me to realize that I am not alone, that there's other women in the same spot position as I am that are businesswomen and mothers or single mothers. So I found it very empowering to meet other women just like me. 
Stacey Leong
Owner, Stacey Leong Design
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Applicant Requirements

Business must be 51% women owned and a for-profit entity; in operation for a minimum of 3 years and currently open for business; have minimum yearly revenue generation of $250,000 (2023); and have maximum yearly revenue generation of $5,000,000 (2023).

Time Commitment

This is a 10-week program culminating in a graduation. To fully benefit for the WE by Rising Tide program, a commitment of 10 of the 11 sessions is required, including Graduation Ceremony. Sessions will take place between August 7 - October 9, every Wednesday evening at Central Pacific Bank’s corporate headquarters in downtown Honolulu.

Program Cost

No program cost. All fees for the 20 women entrepreneurs in the fourth cohort are being covered by Central Pacific Bank.
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Key Dates - 2024Δ

April 15: Application opens
June 15:
Application closes
June 6: Online Applicant interviews begin
August 7: Opening session

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Program Schedule - 2024Δ

Week 1 August 7: Opening session
Week 2 August 14: Financial Management
Overview of Closely Held Businesses
Week 3 August 21: Financial Management
Understanding Your Business Financial Statements
Week 4 August 28: Financial Management
Financial Plan & Cash Budget
Week 5 September 4: Financial Management
Strategies for Growth & Funding Sources
Week 6 September 11: Journeys to Success Panel
(CPB Board - past and present)
Week 7 September 18: Resources for Growth
Speed Mentoring
Week 8

September 27: Marketing Part 1
September 28: Marketing Part 2
Week 9 October 2:

Focus on People
Attracting, Hiring & Retaining Top Talent

Week 10 October 9: Graduation Ceremony

*Neighbor Island cohort members attend in-person

Δ The scheduled dates and times may be subject to change without prior notice. In person attendance is required for Oahu participants. Travel will be provided for four of the 11 sessions (Opening, both Marketing workshops and Graduation) for neighbor island participants. All other sessions will be remote.

Application period currently closed

Sign up to be notified when applications open in Spring 2025