A local entrepreneur from Savai’i has expressed deep gratitude to the government for the opportunity provided by the C.H.O.G.M. Trade Village. 

Lomia Safuneituuga Tiatia Tauloa Siaaga, a honey maker, spoke to the Samoa Observer about the significant benefits of participating in the event. He was able to promote his business and generate income during the busy week.

“I was excited to showcase our products and to earn money during C.H.O.G.M. week,” Lomia said. He prepared 11 dozen bottles of his brand, Safune Pure Honey, with hopes of selling out by the end of the event. To his delight, sales were strong from the start. 

“A lot of people came by, and word spread quickly that we were selling honey at the market,” he added.

While Lomia acknowledged that not all vendors experienced the same success, he emphasised how grateful he and his family are for the exposure. 

“Our honey is made in Safune and is purely produced, sold, and distributed in Savai’i. Moving to Apia for C.H.O.G.M. was a big step for us. We wanted to not only make sales but also promote our product. It was a leap of faith, and we are very happy we signed up for the trade market village.”

As the only vendor selling honey at the trade village, Lomia observed a substantial demand for his product. 

However, he quickly realised his supply was insufficient to meet the needs of eager customers. “We didn’t have enough to last the entire week. We sold out by Thursday, and we are very grateful for the support we received,” he explained.

"One customer bought 20 bottles of honey and we made $1,000 from that one customer."

"There were so many businesses and vendors participating who did not make any profit. Because there was a lot of competition." 

Over the four days, Lomia reported making approximately $7,000 which has opened up new opportunities for his business. 

“This has not only helped us in Apia but also connected us with Samoans living abroad. They have reached out via Facebook and email asking for honey. We appreciate everyone who visited our stall and shared their purchases online.”

Having previously sold ava and taro, Lomia has invested considerable time and effort into developing his honey business, which he started as a backyard project in 2018. 

“I never thought about getting into honeymaking while growing up, but it has become my passion,” he shared.

Looking ahead, Lomia aims to expand operations by acquiring more hives and exploring partnerships with local businesses, such as Maua App. 

He is also considering exporting his products to reach a broader audience. With the success at the trade village, Lomia is inspired to continue growing his family business and sharing the sweetness of Safune Pure Honey with the world.