Qweens Collection, led by Founder Benitta Napitalai, is a social enterprise championing handcrafted bilums made by women across Papua New Guinea. With the help of a BLP Business Support Grant, Qweens launched a professional website, boosting visibility, credibility, and sales while connecting rural weavers to global markets. Despite ongoing challenges like the lack of a retail space and limited cash flow, Qweens continues to empower women by creating sustainable livelihoods through traditional craft. With big plans ahead, including expansion and broader impact, the future looks bright.

Read Benitta’s full Q&A session with CEFI.

1. Can you briefly state the nature of your business

Qweens is a social enterprise that sells handcrafted bilums made by women in Papua New Guinea. The business connects rural weavers to national and international markets, with a mission to preserve the cultural art of bilum making while creating sustainable income opportunities for women.

2. What was the state of your business prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant

Prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant, Qweens operated on a small scale, primarily selling bilums through social media and pop-up markets. The business had limited resources for expansion, marketing, and product development, and operated from home with minimal infrastructure. Despite a strong mission to empower women weavers, growth was constrained by financial limitations.

3. In what ways did the BLP Business support Grant/Subsidy/Small Grant Facility/Concessional Loan assist your business to grow

The BLP Business Support Grant, which subsidized 50% of our website setup costs, played a significant role in helping Qweens grow. It enabled us to establish an online presence, making it easier for customers—both locally and internationally to access and purchase our bilums. The website also enhanced our brand’s visibility, allowed us to showcase our weavers’ stories, and provided a more professional and efficient platform for managing sales, ultimately expanding our market reach and supporting business growth.

4. What are some of the positive outcomes following the assistant by BLP

Some of the positive outcomes following the assistance by BLP include:

• Increased Visibility: Our professionally designed website has boosted the visibility of Qweens, attracting more interest from both local and international customers.
• Higher Sales Potential: With an online store, we’re now able to generate sales beyond just pop-up markets and social media.
• Improved Brand Credibility: Having a dedicated website has strengthened our brand image and made Qweens appear more established and trustworthy.
• Empowerment of More Weavers: The increased reach and potential for growth has allowed us to begin engaging more women weavers, helping to expand our social impact.
• Operational Efficiency: The website has streamlined our ordering and communication process, making it easier to manage customer inquiries and orders.

5. After receiving the BLP Service (Business support grant, Small Grant Facility, Subsidy, Concessional Loan) do you still face some challenges in your business operations

Yes, despite the support from the BLP Business Support Grant, we still face some challenges in our operations. These include:

• Lack of a Physical Retail Space: While our website has strengthened our online visibility, many customers in PNG especially Port Moresby, prefer to physically see and feel the bilums before making a purchase. Without a retail shop, we’re limited in how we can showcase our products locally and connect with walk-in customers.
• Marketing and Logistics: We are still building capacity in areas like digital marketing, shipping logistics for international orders, and managing customer expectations.
• Cash Flow Constraints: Operating capital is still limited, especially when it comes to scaling operations, purchasing materials in bulk, and compensating weavers fairly and promptly.
• Technology Skills Gap: There’s an ongoing need for upskilling in areas like website management, e-commerce tools, and customer service systems to fully leverage our online presence.

6. How is your business helping / benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans

Qweens is helping and benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans by creating income-generating opportunities for local women, especially rural weavers, through the sale of bilums. By providing a platform for their products, we support financial independence, preserve cultural traditions, and promote local craftsmanship. Additionally, the business raises awareness of PNG’s unique cultural identity while empowering women to support their families and communities through their skills.

7. How do you see your business in the next five (5) years from now?

In the next five years, we envision Qweens growing into a well-established brand both locally and internationally, with a physical retail shop, an expanded product line that complements bilums, and a strong online presence. We aim to partner with more weavers across PNG, increasing our social impact by providing consistent income and support to hundreds of women.