Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership

What Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership does

The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership (MCBL) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) program of YWCA O'ahu operating as the only SBA-designated Women's Business Center in the state of Hawaii. Founded in Honolulu in 2013 (with the Women's Business Center designation formalized in 2016), the organization provides entrepreneurship training, leadership development, business counseling, and networking services to women across the Hawaiian Islands. Its service portfolio spans the full leadership lifecycle: the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance (a 10-month, ~100-hour intensive program for mid-career professionals), Wahine Rising (a 30-hour introductory leadership program), and the YWahine In Business Incubator (a 7-week business fundamentals course), supplemented by the WE by CPB Rising Tide program, Executive Financial Workshop Series, Mink Wahine Leadership Series luncheons, Mink Wisdom Series fireside chats, the annual Wahine Forum (Hawaii's largest women's leadership conference), Shop Small Hawaii campaign, and the Girls Summit Youth summer program for middle school girls. Across its Leadership Alliance, MCBL has graduated 192 Mink Leaders from 10 cohorts over 10 years.

MCBL's revenue model is grant-dominated and donation-supported. The financial backbone is an SBA Cooperative Agreement funding a $300,000 program budget (50% federal share, 50% non-federal match), with the non-federal share sourced from foundation grants (documented awards include $25,000 from The Coca-Cola Foundation in 2018 and $35,000 from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii in 2018), corporate sponsorships (e.g., Central Pacific Bank $10,000 Shop Small Hawaii signature sponsor), tax-deductible individual and corporate donations, and modest program fees ranging from $10–$45 for workshops to $75–$100 for the YWahine Incubator, $1,500 for Wahine Rising, and $4,000 for the Mink Wahine Leadership Series VIP annual package. Programs are delivered in a hybrid format across two YWCA O'ahu facilities—the Laniākea building at 1040 Richards Street in downtown Honolulu (headquarters, open Tuesday–Friday) and the 11-acre Kokokahi waterfront campus in Kaneohe (open Monday–Tuesday)—supplemented by online Zoom workshops that extend reach to neighbor islands. The current Director is Colleen McAluney, who succeeded founding Director Terri Funakoshi.

Name

Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership

Legal name

Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership

Website

https://mcblhawaii.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MCBL is the only SBA-designated Women's Business Center in Hawaii, operating under YWCA O'ahu to deliver entrepreneurship training, leadership development, and small-business counseling to women entrepreneurs, mid-career professionals, and middle school girls across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Business Development and Leadership Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), DEI, Inclusive Leadership & Cultural Intelligence Coaching (EDABANAJ), Career, Purpose & Executive Wellbeing Coaching (EDABANAI), People Management & Supervisory Skills (EDABAAAB)

Keywords

• Women entrepreneurship training
• Leadership development programs
• Business incubation services
• Nonprofit business education
• Women business center

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: SBA Cooperative Agreement providing 50% federal funding ($150,000 matching grant) as a designated Women's Business Center
2. Foundation Grants: Corporate foundation grants including $25,000 from The Coca-Cola Foundation for women's entrepreneurship programming; grants from Kaiser Permanente for leadership development
3. Program Fees: Registration fees for various programs including YWahine In Business Incubator ($75-$100), Wahine Rising ($1,500), workshop series ($10-$45), and event tickets ($25)
4. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations supporting the nonprofit mission; corporate sponsorships for events (e.g., Central Pacific Bank $10,000 signature sponsor)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership operates as Hawaii's only SBA-designated Women's Business Center, providing comprehensive entrepreneurship training, business counseling, and leadership development programs for women. Core offerings include a 7-week YWahine In Business Incubator for early-stage entrepreneurs, a 10-month Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance for mid-career women, the Wahine Rising 30-hour leadership program, business counseling services, pitch competitions, networking events, and the Girls Summit Youth summer program. The organization also hosts signature events including the Wahine Forum (Hawaii's largest women's leadership conference) and runs the Shop Small Hawaii small business support campaign.

Product overview

Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership operates as a Women's Business Center (WBC), the only one in Hawai'i, providing a comprehensive suite of programs for women entrepreneurs and leaders. The organization offers a multi-tiered portfolio of programs: the core Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance (10-month intensive) and Wahine Rising (30-hour introductory) serve as the leadership development track; YWahine In Business Incubator (7-week course) provides entrepreneurship fundamentals; the WE by CPB Rising Tide program offers targeted business empowerment; while the Mink Wahine Leadership Series, Mink Wisdom Series, and Wahine Forum provide ongoing networking and thought leadership. Supporting services include business counseling, pitch competitions, networking events, and the Shop Small Hawaii initiative for small business advocacy. The organization also runs Girls Summit Youth for middle school girls. All programs are delivered in-person and hybrid formats from locations in Honolulu and Kaneohe, Hawai'i.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YWahine In Business Incubator: A 7-week course offering business fundamentals for new and early startups.
• Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance
• Wahine Rising
• Shop Small Hawaii
• Mink Wahine Leadership Series
• Mink Wisdom Series
• Wahine Forum
• Girls Summit Youth

Products and services

• Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance A 10-month intensive leadership program designed for mid-career professional women committed to personal growth, professional impact, and community change. The program develops management and leadership skills through approximately 100 hours of facilitated sessions to increase representation of women executives in Hawai'i.
• Wahine Rising A 30-hour leadership program created to elevate future women leaders by building core competencies through facilitated classes and Mink Wahine Leadership events. Focuses on potential women leaders looking to develop professional and personal leadership skills. Priced at $1,500 total.
• YWahine In Business Incubator A 7-week course offering business fundamentals for new and early-stage startups. Provides early-start and growth entrepreneurs with insight, knowledge, and resources for a stronger business future through topics including concept validation, business model development, financial basics, marketing, and business planning. Priced at $75-$100 (valued at $600).
• WE by CPB Rising Tide A free, 10-week program built to empower women entrepreneurs with tools, strategies, and connections to grow their businesses to the next level.
• Mink Wahine Leadership Series Luncheon events throughout the year focusing on various leadership issues and topics relevant to professional women in Hawaii. Features guest speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Tickets $40 per event; VIP package $4,000 covering all four 2026 events.
• Mink Wisdom Series Evening mentoring events featuring fireside chats with experienced Hawai'i women executives on leadership lessons. Provides intimate settings for casual discussion, Q&A, and networking opportunities.
• Shop Small Hawaii A year-round celebration and support campaign for small business owners in Hawaii, providing business resources, tools, educational workshops, promotions, and special events in collaboration with community partners. Features the annual Small Business Saturday celebration.
• Girls Summit Youth An enriching summer program for girls in grades 6-8 that builds critical and creative thinking, decision-making skills, and empowered confidence. Curriculum features yoga, creative reading and writing, self-defense, CPR education, financial management tips, advocacy exploration, and community-focused projects. $200 per child with up to 75% tuition assistance available.
• Business Counseling One-on-one counseling services for individuals starting and growing their businesses, provided in a safe, nurturing environment.
• Pitch Competition Competitions where entrepreneurs can pitch their business ideas, such as the Shop Small Hawaii Pitch Competition that awards prizes to winners.
• Networking Events Professional networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and leaders to foster connections and create supportive networks to amplify their growth.
• Wahine Forum Hawaii's largest leadership and career development conference, attended by Hawaii's top female executives, entrepreneurs, up-and-coming female leaders, and women intent on advancing their careers. Held annually at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
• Launch My Business Trademarked signature business launch program for entrepreneurs, providing comprehensive training and support for individuals starting businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 192 Mink Leaders graduated over 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Central Pacific BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2018$10,000 signature sponsor for Shop Small Hawaii initiative; ongoing supporter of Leadership Alliance and various MCBL programs.
• O'ahu Resource Conservation & Development CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2018Partnership to support women farmers interested in agri-business entrepreneurship through Women Farmers Workshops; combines O'ahu RC&D agricultural expertise with MCBL business development resources.
• YWCA O'ahucoreOthersParent organization housing MCBL as a department/program. YWCA O'ahu founded in 1900, oldest and largest women's membership organization in Hawaii with over 1,800 members.
• Mana UpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal small business accelerator partnership for Shop Small Hawaii events and entrepreneurship support programs.
• SCORE HawaiiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntrepreneur education and free mentoring by volunteer executives for small business owners; listed as business resource partner on MCBL website.
• Hawaii Small Business Development Center (SBDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness consulting, research and training on Financial Planning, Business Planning & Strategy, Capital Formation & Funding; listed as business resource partner.
• Veterans Business Outreach Center of the PacificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-sponsor for business workshops; provides entrepreneurial development services for veterans including Boots to Business course.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational organization of women entrepreneurs with 5,000 members and 60 chapters; offers training on access to capital, government contracting and business certification.
• National Women's Business CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorks with President, Congress and SBA on issues related to women business owners; publishes research on women-owned enterprises.
• Woman Owned NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of more than 3.5 million women-owned businesses offering online business information and networking assistance.
• Alexander & BaldwinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenter/sponsor for Shop Small Hawaii events including Blooms & Bubbly Kailua Town Sip n Shop and Holiday Sip & Shop events.
• YWCA KokokahicoreOthersYWCA O'ahu facility location for some MCBL programs; 11-acre waterfront site in Kaneohe.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• YWCA USA: National umbrella organization for 200+ local YWCAs; MCBL operates as a program of YWCA O'ahu. Comparable in mission focus (women's empowerment) and program delivery (membership + training), but at national federation scale.
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: Large-scale small business education and capital access program for entrepreneurs; targets a similar growth-stage small business customer base with intensive cohort-based training.
• Ellevate Network: Global professional women's network (formerly 85 Broads) offering mentorship, events, and leadership programming for women in business. Comparable in leadership development and networking offerings for professional women.

Direct peers

• Catalyst: Global nonprofit advancing women into leadership through research, training, and inclusion initiatives. Comparable focus on accelerating women into executive leadership, though Catalyst operates at a much larger global scale.
• Hawaii Small Business Development Center (SBDC): SBA-funded resource partner offering free business consulting, training, and capital formation support across Hawaii. Operates as a co-referral partner with MCBL within the same SBA ecosystem.
• SCORE: SBA-funded nonprofit providing free business mentoring and education to entrepreneurs; MCBL lists SCORE Hawaii as a referral partner. Both deliver SBA-aligned small business development services through volunteer networks.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): National membership organization of women entrepreneurs (5,000+ members, 60 chapters) offering training, advocacy, and networking. NAWBO is listed as a referral partner with MCBL and offers overlapping programming for the same customer segment.
• Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC): National membership association of SBA-funded Women's Business Centers; MCBL is itself an AWBC member and displays AWBC's logo on its site. AWBC is the closest peer category as it represents the same WBC operating model at a national level.
• Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Pacific: SBA-funded resource partner in Hawaii providing entrepreneurial development services; co-sponsors workshops with MCBL. Operates in the same SBA-aligned small business support space with overlapping community workshop model.

Emerging players

• DreamSpring: CDFI providing capital, coaching, and connections to women entrepreneurs and small business owners. Comparable in mission and customer segment, with similar SBA-aligned community-development orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mcblhawaii
• Facebookfacebook.com/ywcaoahu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ywca-oahu
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcblhawaii

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership