Good news everyone! I am proud to share some great news for Flying Fox Brewing Co with you all. I learned last week that our business was one of five recipients of the Atina‘e Manuia mo Amerika Samoa Small Business Revitalization and Development Grant program.
Bank of Hawaii established the grant program in 2012 to help promote new American Samoa businesses and to encourage existing small businesses to expand. Flying Fox Brewing Co was awarded a grant of $5,000 to go towards setting up our business. Along with four other entrepreneurs, I was awarded a cashiers check for $5,000 and congratulated by Mr. EJ Ozu, Manager of the American Samoa Bank of Hawaii Branch. He said the bank was very impressed with our business plan and excited by the potential to start a new industry in the Territory. I realize this may seem like I'm tooting my own horn a bit, but I'm excited so cut me some slack this time - hahaha! But seriously, this was fantastic news and will help us fast track a lot of our planning to get this business up and running to serve all of you people!
I should take a minute to express my deep gratitude to our Bank of Hawai'i Ohana for this amazing opportunity. The folks at the American Samoa branch are extremely friendly and professional and I think they're all awesome. I would also like to congratulate the other four recipients of the award and although I feel terrible for not knowing all of their names, let me say malo lava to my cousin Isi Smith of Lomilomi Day Spa, Tina Fonoimoana Reid of Cheat Day, Matt Wade of Alliance Insurance, and the family who makes the 'ulu and talo chips. Congrats to you all, and best of luck with your businesses.
The timing of this grant award is fantastic, as it will assist us in expediting our plans to get our business off the ground. We are currently targeting mid March for our grand opening, although we plan to have a couple tasting sessions before that time (keep your ears open, and visit our Facebook page to stay informed). Time to call the faithful testing crew and let 'em know it's gonna be some hard work to drink all this beer to help us get ready and get our recipes down. Mike, Francis, Andrew, Boem, Gerry, Ed, Rich, and Ice - it's go time, fellas!