WOSB & WBE
APPLICATION RESOURCES

Tips from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are here. A sample resume format is here.

You can register for free on the official U.S. government website here. Also, a SAM.gov registration training video by the U.S. Small Business Administration is here.

Yes! Our Business Center offers free financial counseling and other types of counseling. Visit our Counseling webpage here to learn more. To request a counseling session, complete our Client Intake form here (same link on our Counseling webpage).

You can request a copy of your bank signature authorization card from your bank. It may be helpful to explain why you are requesting a copy. We have heard from some clients that banks can be hesitant to provide a copy until they understand why you are requesting one. If the item does not exist or your financial institution does not release this information, consider the following guidance from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): Please have your financial institution write a letter on its letterhead indicating the company name, type of accounts held, date account was opened, who has signature authority for those accounts, as well as any stipulations/restrictions pertaining to signatory authority (e.g., two signatures required for amounts greater than $10,000).

Generally, “assumed name documents” are those documents that show your business is “Doing Business As” a certain name if you use a name other than your own to do business. If you are a Hawaii business, the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) website states that a “sole proprietor that wishes to register a business name (optional) with the Business Registration Division, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs files a trade name application.” For more information and forms on Trade Names, visit their webpage here.

Generally, a “Partnership Agreement” governs the relations among the partners and between the partners and the partnership. For Hawaii partnerships, please see Chapter 425 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes here. You may want to familiarize yourself with the various sections, including but not limited to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 425-103, governing partnership agreements and nonwaivable provisions. For Hawaii limited partnerships, please see Chapter 425E of the Hawaii Revised Statutes here. You may want to familiarize yourself with various sections, including but not limited to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 425E-110, which govern partnership agreements and nonwaivable provisions.

Generally, a “Certificate of Existence” is sometimes known as a “Certificate of Good Standing”. For Hawaii businesses, you can search for and purchase that document on the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) website here.

Generally, a “Certificate of Limited Partnership” is required to form a limited partnership. For Hawaii businesses, it is filed with the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Please see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 425E-201.

Generally, a “Certificate of Organization, Existence of LLC” is sometimes known as a “Certificate of Good Standing”. For Hawaii businesses, you can search for and purchase that document on the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) website here.

Generally, in Hawaii, the “existence of a limited liability company begins when the articles of organization are filed” with the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Please see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 428-202. If you need to amend or restate your certificate, see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 425E-202. Hawaii Forms: If you need to file your Articles, here is a form offered by the DCCA. If you need to amend your Articles, here is a form offered by the DCCA. If you need to restate your Articles, here is a form offered by the DCCA.

Generally, “LLC Regulations”, “Operating Agreements” and “Member Agreements” are synonyms. For Hawaii LLCs, generally, the term “Operating Agreements” is used. Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 428-103, “all the members of a limited liability company may enter into an operating agreement to regulate the affairs of the company and the conduct of its business, and to govern relations among the members, managers, and company.” (Emphasis added). Further, please see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 428 governing LLCs here. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides some guidance for LLC Operating Agreements here. You may also consider SCORE’s guidance here.

Generally, a “Certificate of Incorporation” is sometimes known as a “Certificate of Good Standing”. For Hawaii businesses, you can search for and purchase that document on the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) website here. Consider SCORE’s guidance here for incorporating your business, including holding your first meeting.

Generally, in Hawaii, the term “Articles of Incorporation” is used. “The corporate existence begins when the articles of incorporation are filed” with the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 414-33. For Hawaii corporations, please also see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 414-32 governing Articles of Incorporation. Also see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 414 governing corporations here. For statutes governing amendment of Articles of Incorporation, see Chapter 414 here, including but not limited to Sections 414-281 through 414-289.

In Hawaii, “bylaws of a corporation may contain any provision for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation that is not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.” Please see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 414-36. For statutes governing amendment of bylaws, see Chapter 414 here, including but not limited to Sections 414-301 through 414-303. Also, consider SCORE’s guidance here for bylaws.

Generally, in Hawaii, a “corporation shall hold a meeting of shareholders annually at a time stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws.” Please see Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 414-121. Also, Section 414-122 governs “Special Meetings”. Additionally, consider the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) application guidance: “If 100% owned and minutes are not available, please state so in writing. Must be signed and dated.” You may also consider SCORE’s guidance here for corporate minutes.