Local company Big & Small celebrated White Sunday a month early last Friday and used the occasion to reward top-performing employees and to give their family members a treat.

The business' founders, George and Margaret Feesago, hosted their staff and their families at the A.C.C building with their celebrations revolving around the theme "one heart, one family". The program for the day included a recital competition with the staff decked out in their White Sunday outfits. 

Mrs. Feesago said the purpose of the event was to welcome the family members of their staff into their shop to celebrate the hard work they’ve put into the company while remembering White Sunday. 

“It’s really all about them, it is me and husbands’ way of thanking them for their hard work for this white season of 2019, all we’re trying to do is give back to our staff, who have worked so hard for us and this is just our way of saying thank you so much,” she said.

“Our saying is, 'One team, one heart family' and our company with our employees and this is a thank you in advance for them before the rush comes.”

The company has always hosted such events for its employees but this time they made it official and started with a flag day competition. Themed around White Sunday, the competition was followed with awards and an employee of the months was also acknowledged.

Family members of the staff, especially their children was later on treated to movies and pizza by the company.

Senior employee Sivanesa Vaitogi, who has worked for Big & Small for about two years, said her favorite part of the event is the revitalization of relationships within their families.

“Us wearing White Sunday outfits and doing our recitations competition is our other way on encouraging the children of Samoa of the importance of White Sunday for them in their families," she said.

"We’re basically vitalizing the special day pertaining to the children and purpose is also to inform the parents of the importance of White Sunday for our children.

“So it’s all about the children and I’m surprised as this is something new for the company and I got to admit I was looking forward to this day even the other staff members as it gave us happy thoughts about the whole event.”

The company celebrated 20 years of business in April this year with the expansion of its branch at the A.C.C. building.

Established in 1999, Mr and Mrs. Feesago said Big & Small of Samoa always strives to provide the best quality products for their customers. 

“It has been a dream of ours for a very long time to have a store with display windows and 20 years later, we finally nailed it. We have always been tucked in the back, yet we know our products deserve a front and center display,” said Mrs. Feesago.

The couple share a love for fashion and decorating, hence the dream to have a store with windows in the heart of Apia. 

“It is very rewarding and fulfilling for us when our customers give away a big smile when they see the products we sell. Sometimes, they end up not buying it, but seeing that smile across their faces means something to both of us,” she added.