BY INDY MAEALASIA
LOCAL entrepreneurs in the Solomon Islands face significant hurdles—limited promotions and fragmented information keep their businesses hidden from potential customers, however, one ambitious entrepreneur is rising to the challenge with her innovative initiative aimed at bridging this gap.
Twenty-nine-year-old Nambi Pituvaka, owner and founder of “Solomon Savvy”, aims to solve the issues by designing a “centralized information system” that serves as a directory for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Her grand idea involves setting up a dedicated booth at the airport where international travelers- her primary targeted customers- can access printed brochures featuring local businesses, activities, and services such as transportation, Arts and Craft and many more.
By providing easy access to this information, she aims to cater not only to tourists but also to locals who may be unaware of available options.
“Even people in the country are not aware of some of these entrepreneurs and their businesses,” Pituvaka remarked, “Though there are several existing promotions, very few businesses have the visibility they deserve.”
Her initiative was fueled by a visit to the United States a few years ago, where she had her “light bulb moment,” “I traveled to the US and saw how technology plays a huge role in their daily lives, where people simply scan brochures and access various services,” she recalled.
Describing herself as an “adventurous type,” Pituvaka has progressively laid the groundwork for her dream. She usually travels out of Honiara on sightseeing trips to connect with local entrepreneurs and build her network.
However, she recognizes that much work remains. This includes collaborating closely with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce, and local entrepreneurs.
Recently, Pituvaka took a significant step toward realizing her dream by joining the inaugural cohort of thirty-three women participating in the US-funded Academy of Women Entrepreneurship (AWE), launched last month.
Reflecting on how the program will aid her efforts, she expressed its potential impact, “This program provides an invaluable opportunity for female entrepreneurs like myself to learn how to manage our businesses and effectively execute our goals financially,” she added.
