Budgeting, product pricing, profit-and-loss calculations, financial planning, and effective marketing strategies are new skills 20 women are walking away with.

These women were part of the Samoa Victims Support Group (SVSG) Nofotane Project’s Financial Literacy and Marketing Training.

The training was made possible through the support of the British High Commission and was facilitated by respected local businesswoman Afioga Liliolelagi Annette, who shared practical insights and real-life experiences in entrepreneurship, financial management, and business marketing.

“The one-day training provided participants with valuable knowledge on budgeting, product pricing, profit and loss calculations, financial planning, and effective marketing strategies,” said SVSG president Siliniu Lina Chang.

“A key highlight of the training was the realisation among many participants that while they had been actively selling products such as vaisalo and other homemade goods to support their families, they had often overlooked important business costs such as ingredients, labour, transportation, and time.

“As a result, some women discovered that despite making sales, their businesses were not generating the profits they had assumed.”

The open and supportive learning environment encouraged participants to share personal experiences and reflect on ways to improve their business practices.

According to SVSG, participants reported increased confidence in managing their small businesses and expressed a greater willingness to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen income-generating activities.

The training also fostered peer learning and collaboration, allowing women to exchange ideas and strategies for overcoming common business challenges.

Siliniu acknowledged the importance of economic empowerment initiatives for women, particularly those rebuilding their lives and supporting their families through self-employment opportunities.

“Financial literacy is an essential life skill. By equipping women with practical knowledge on managing finances and running small businesses, we are helping to build confidence, independence, and long-term economic resilience for families and communities,” she said.