Mailelani’s Australia breakthrough

26 June 2017, 12:00AM

Australia now knows that Samoa’s Mailelani is ‘naturally good’

Mailelani have cemented their position internationally as one of Samoa’s leading skincare and natural beauty product producers. 

Earlier this month with the support of Pacific Trade Invest (P.T.I) Australia and the Samoa Agribusiness Support Project Mailelani showcased their beauty products at the Naturally Good Trade Expo in Sydney, Australia. 

The Naturally Good Expo is Asia Pacific's premier business event for the natural, organic and healthy products market. It's the biggest showcase of what's new and next in retailing and manufacturing natural products.

 “The Naturally Good Expo was the perfect platform for Mailelani to both showcase their products to an international audience and connect directly with Australian retailers and distributers,” said Mona Mato, Export Services Manager, P.T.I Australia.

“The expo has also given Mailelani valuable insight into their competitors as they have had the chance to see firsthand how they market and position themselves.

Mailelani was exhibiting alongside top international brands such as Dr. Brooner and Living Nature, it was great to see that the work that Sylvie and Kitona have put into developing new packaging and diversifying Mailelani’s product range has paid off. The feedback from retailers at the expo has been very encouraging.” 

Kitiona and Sylvie Salanoa started Mailelani in 2015 as an initiative to provide a source of income to rural areas in Samoa through creating products with local ingredients which are handmade by locals. 

Since their humble beginning, Kitonia and Sylvie have slowly and steadily grown their business. 

Their long-term dream is to expand their business into international markets, enabling them to support more local growers. Attending the Naturally Good Expo was a big step forward for Kitona and Sylvie in realising their dream.

Mailelani founder Sylvie Salanoa said being able to exhibit at the Australian Naturally Good Expo was an eye-opening and valuable experience.

 “Starting from very small beginnings, to exhibiting alongside top Australian natural and organic companies was a very special moment for us,” she said. 

“We learnt that we are one of the rare companies who create authentic handmade products from scratch. The majority of the companies exhibiting had their products made by manufacturers. 

“It’s made it clear how we can differentiate ourselves against the competition, our story is what sets us apart. The exposure we had during the expo with the opportunity to meet directly with retailers and distributors was very valuable and we received some great feedback.

 “I’d like to thank P.T.I Australia and Samoa Agribusiness for their support. Mailelani is a partner project of the Samoa Agribusiness Support Project, which helped Mailelani through its Agribusiness Innovation Fund, to attend the Naturally Good expo. 

“The objective for the innovation fund is to enable SABS project partners to attend trade fairs or events, where the business can promote its range of products to potential export markets and establish future trading partnerships

 “P.T.I Australia’s support in lead up to the Expo and on the ground in Sydney was fantastic. We are very grateful and excited about what the future may hold”.

Pacific Trade Invest Australia (P.T.I Australia) is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. P.T.I Australia works with export and investment ready Pacific Island businesses establishing opportunities in international markets with a focus on Australia.

 


26 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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