Laughing Samoans up to Funny Business

PRESS RELEASE
27 June 2013

For immediate release

Laughing Samoans up to Funny Business

A dynamic and entertaining evening for Pacific Business people and aspiring entrepreneurs, topped off with a hilarious skit by the ever popular Laughing Samoans duo of Eteuati Ete and Tofiga Fepulea’i, was presented by the Pacific Business Trust on 26 June 2013, hosted at the New Zealand Institute of Sport’s (NZIS) Wellington premises.

Pacific business achievement and success was acknowledged, with speakers sharing their own stories of business success as well as a mini-expo showcasing several local businesses.

Special guest speakers included Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hon. Hekia Parata, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Ms Pauline Winter, and successful business owners Fiso John Fiso from NZIS, a previous Pacific Business Award finalist, and The Laughing Samoans Eteuati Ete and Tofiga Fepulea’i, PBT Enterprise Award winners in 2007.  

PBT Chair Caren Rangi opened the event, acknowledging the work of the PBT Business Facilitator team and how they can continue to help Pacific businesses to succeed.  

Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hon. Hekia Parata said Pacific people will play a key role in New Zealand’s future economic prosperity and it is vital they are given the best support to succeed in business. She also acknowledged the work of PBT in supporting Pacific Businesses.

“As one of the fastest-growing populations in New Zealand, Pacific people have the opportunity to help shape and influence New Zealand’s economic future,” said Ms Parata.

“The Pacific Business Trust is helping Pacific businesses and entrepreneurs get off the ground and guiding them towards their goals. This support is essential to their success. The support of the Pacific Business Trust means that new and established Pacific businesses are able to call upon the knowledge of business experts to assist them in their own business journey”, she added.

MPIA CEO Pauline Winter also spoke of her own business journey, where at 19 years of age she and her husband started a leather bag manufacturing venture. Her advice was to stay focused on the business’ vision and resilient when challenges arise.

“It’s about being bold, resilient and committed to your vision” said Ms Winter.

Fiso John Fiso told the story of NZIS’s journey, where they now have over 1,000 students enrolled over four sites throughout New Zealand. Investment in infrastructure and investment in staff were keys to running a successful business.

Eteuati Ete and Tofiga Fepulea’i put their success down to doing business with respect, and explained how their comedy reflects the values of their parents. They also spoke of their fortune in being able to run a business during a time where video and viral media have helped them to be successful internationally.

“We needed to ‘show’ our people what they were buying, so we started doing videos….we’ve been as far north as Anchorage in Alaska, and as far south as Invercargill”.

The pair then performed a skit – Island Time – from their newest show Fobulous. The skit was a crowd pleaser, staying true to the pair’s commitment to creating comedy with respect, and helping them to succeed through wide appeal.

Local business exhibitors included Ethos Designs Ltd, CPB Flooring, Southcoast Construction Limited, Big Mark Photography, Lavalava Florist Ltd, New Zealand Institute of Sport, The Laughing Samoans Pacific Training Institute (PTI), and the New Zealand College of Massage (NZCM).

ENDS

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