Rasmussen and her husband, Craig, own Paradise Flower Farms, a 32-employee firm on a 56-acre farm on Maui. Her farm has been in business since 1980. Rasmussen will compete with other Small Business Champions in 11 Western states for regional award next month.

NFIB president to retire

Jack Faris announced today that he will retire as president and chief executive officer of the National Federation of Independent Business on March 31, 2006.

Faris has been at the helm the nation's largest small-business advocacy group since 1992.

During his tenure, Faris has been ranked as the most influential small-business leader in Washington by Fortune Small Business magazine, and NFIB was named Washington's most powerful business lobbying group for three consecutive years in a Fortune magazine survey of national opinion leaders.

"It is a privilege to serve as president of NFIB," Faris said in a statement. "I will forever treasure the relationships and experiences of these years. NFIB is stronger than ever, with a solid supportive board, an excellent leadership team and the greatest employees anywhere."

Entrepreneur workshop held tomorrow

The Hawai'i Women's Business Center will host "Micro Enterprise 101, Starting a New Business" from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Small Business Resource Center, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave.

The one-day workshop will address various issues concerning starting and operating a small business in Hawai'i. Some topics to be discussed include writing a business plan, pricing products and service, back accounting and bookkeeping procedures and Hawai'i general excise tax procedures.

Cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with a 10 percent discount given to HWBC members.