First cohort of Market Haos-Bisnis nakamal

September 4, 2021 2:20 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Josepheen Tarianga

V-Lab has held its first cohort of the Bisnis Nakamal’s Market Haos with 10 dedicated entrepreneurs.

The Bisnis Nakamal is a recently established program that provides individuals with benefits for their businesses. The Bisnis Nakamal is established in partnership with Breadfruit consulting and Wanfuteng Bank who is subsiding the costs, so that trainings are at affordable prices.

”Today we started the first Bisnis Nakamal programme – the Market Haos – with 10 local businesses. Although supported by Wanfuteng Bank, each participant is also contributing financially. I am happy to lead the team of local businessmen and women who are the programme trainers and coaches. Over the next three months we will all go on a journey of business exploration and development,” said Senior Consultant of Breadfruit Consulting, Chris Elphick.

There are 3 levels of the program, the Market Haos being the highest. This helps entrepreneurs who have already identified their business ideas, plans and established a business, but are now looking to grow it.

V-Lab president, Marc Antoine says, “V-Lab is excited to welcome the first cohort of the Bisnis Nakamal’s Market Haos. Thanks to the Bisnis Nakamal, V-Lab is now able to reach out to more people and provide learning opportunities to a growing number of entrepreneurs. We are particularly happy to note that four out of the 10 first participants are women. “

The participants of the program each have diverse ideas. Marceline Onel has a massage therapy business, Eddie Etul has a construction license and after 10 years working for other people he recently opened his own company in 2019, and is now looking to grow it. On the other hand, Jean-Jaques Nirua, another of the participants has travelled all the way from Tanna, to be a part of this program.

All the participants help to learn business skills to develop, manage, market and grow their business. The Market Haos workshop will allow them access to these skills.

“I started a business that provides solar lighting to the people of Tanna. I just started this year and I am hoping this program can help me market my business and convince customers in rural areas, that having a lighting system is important,” says Mr Nirua.

”V-Lab is very excited to welcome the first cohort of the Bisnis Nakamal’s Market Haos. Thanks to the Bisnis Nakamal, V-Lab is now able to reach out to more people in the communities and provide learning opportunities to a growing number of entrepreneurs. We are particularly happy to note that four out of the 10 first participants are women.”

According to Mr Elphick , Seed Haos and Green Haos programmes (under the Bisnis Nakamal) will be open soon to support older entrepreneurs after retirement. These are being designed for next year. A waiting list for the next Market Haos programme is already in place.