Beekeeping has its challenges – not the least of which is the odd sting! But like many small businesses located in more rural locations, they have some bigger challenges.
In Jiwaka Province in the highland’s region of PNG, Frieda Palme had a delicious (honey) challenge. She wanted to grow her honey business ‘Frieda’s Honey’ – but she didn’t know where to go or how to obtain financial support. That’s where BLP was able to help.
After retiring from the teaching profession, seven years ago Freida ventured into honey farming as a sole owner/women led business.
“As a small growing business, it has been very challenging to seeking financial support. Many MSMEs are struggling with their small businesses without realising that there are opportunities out there like the BLP programme. Networking and access to information is very important that will enable MSMEs to tap into such opportunities. I fortunately learnt about the BLP grant through the SME Corporation PNG.”
With a BLP Small Business Grant of K10,000 she was able to purchase a new honey extraction room and better bee equipment for her staff. “For a small business like mine, and based in a rural area of PNG, K10 000 is big money to me, and I am thankful to BLP for granting me with such grants to help build and expand my business.”
Operating from her family home, the business now supports employment in her community. Frieda’s Honey employs eight staff, two permanent and six temporaries (three males and three female youths) who Frieda says help with the harvesting of honey and grass cleaning around the honeybee farm.
Frieda says the honey produced by the bees in her area feed on flowers of coffee, avocado and wild trees and this is what gives her raw honey its unique taste. Sounds delicious! If you are a small business owner like Freida and want to access quality advice and financial support, contact BLP.
To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free BLP online tools available to help small-and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.
The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor.
If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with their local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic. In PNG, BLP partners with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion and the Lae Chambers of Commerce and Industry.