American Products  International

American Products International has been involved with product design and development since 1979 and international trade since 1984. Since 2005 the company has been focused on helping small businesses, and especially minority small businesses, to envision, plan, fund, launch and grow. In 2012 the service mix began emphasizing international trade, but even exporters need to deal with business issues so the company continues to help with business planning and start up.

Bob Komoto, Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)

Bob Komoto is a business advisor with a track record of successful collaborations with small business owners in agriculture, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, high-tech and import/export. His areas of expertise include marketing, finance, operational strategies, start-ups, management and global business.

“I’ve been a problem solver for a long time,” says Komoto, who has a master’s  degree in engineering management. “I enjoy solving problems.”

He has extensive experience in international trade and has been certified by NASBITE (National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators) as a Certified Global Business Professional and by the Small Business Development Centers as a Certified Export and Trade Counselor.

Export trade is not a panacea for an ailing business, he said, but a solid export plan can open up amazing opportunities. “Ninety-five percent of the world’s population live outside the U.S.,” he said.

Komoto said he enjoys mentoring small business owners and helping them understand new ways of looking at their business. “You’re not just selling a widget,” he said, so owners need to understand the value add that is unique to their particular enterprise.

Komoto has completed graduate work in organizational leadership at the University of Phoenix. He earned his M.S. in engineering management from Santa Clara University and a B.S. in chemistry from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, Calif.