Meet the Makers Part 1

We have decided to do a series of blogs that feature the heart and soul of our company, the makers of our products.  Today we will be talking to Morwenna Petaia, owner of Measina Treasures of Samoa.  Morwenna is not only the owner of Measina, she has designed various products for the store as well as creating art pieces.

What does your business do?

Measina Treasures of Samoa are an online business selling products made by Samoans all over the world and products that support Samoan causes.  Measina is also developing our party plans and fundraising services so that we are able to help even more people with our business.

How long have you been in business?

Measina Treasures of Samoa officially opened our doors in January 2016, but the concept has been a dream in the making for many years.

What made you start your business?

I went to a family reunion in Samoa in 2005 and didn’t leave Samoa for nine years after that.  Many different reasons resulted in the need for my family and I to move back to Australia, but my heart still longed for Samoa.  Having a development background I will always have the need to be doing something to make the world a better place, especially my island home Samoa.  After a discussion with a fellow returned AVID (Australian Volunteer for International Development) I was able to learn more about the NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) program which allowed me to plan and learn what was necessary to bring my dream into reality.

What makes your business special?

Measina Treasures of Samoa are a social enterprise.  That means we are more than just a business.  We see that helping others through our business is what makes our business special.  We have been able to assist the Polynesian Kids Community Language School with raising funds by selling their t-shirts in store and at markets, donating prizes for the Samoa Victim Support Group in Melbourne and Sydney and supporting the Street Smart Handbook so that the youth of Victoria are educated about drug and alcohol abuse and where they can turn to find help.

While our main objective is to help Samoans and Samoan causes we also believe that our store is an opportunity for us to share the Samoan culture and Samoa. Many times we hear of people complaining because someone has misinterpreted or misrepresented the Samoan culture, this is how Measina can help to clarify these misconceptions and show Samoa in all it's beauty.

What is your favourite thing to do in Samoa?

There are so many things to do in Samoa.  I think that most of my time was spent eating delicious food.  However, nothing can beat my all time favourite thing which is to lay on the beach in Vavau and eat food then jumping in the pristine water only to come out again and lay on the beach and eat.

Thank you to Morwenna for sharing the story of Measina Treasures of Samoa.  Stay tuned to meet more of our makers next week!