Founded by Anne-Shirley Korave, QueenPads is a proud PNG social and green enterprise addressing menstrual challenges faced by women nationwide. With support from BLP, QueenPads has improved efficiency, boosted growth, and continues to promote sustainable menstrual health solutions.
Read Anne-Shirley’s full Q&A session with CEFI.
- Can you briefly state the nature of your business?
QueenPads is a locally owned social and green enterprise established in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in 2018. Its goal is to address the silent menstrual challenges faced by thousands of women across the country. With a dedicated team of full-time staff and volunteers, QueenPads focuses on the production and distribution of eco-friendly, reusable menstrual products, as well as education and advocacy programmes.
- What was the state of your business prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant?
The business was incurring high operational costs. And since we need to engage professional services, an additional cost, accounting , communication and tech, recently HR services, the subsidy came in very handy bearing half of the costs incurred for those services at the initial stages.
- In what ways did the BLP Business Support Grant/Subsidy/Small Grant Facility/Concessional Loan assist your business to grow?
BLP’s Business Subsidy support helped reduce some of those initial high costs. And as a result, these outrsourced services enhanced the overall business operations.
- What are some of the positive outcomes following the assistance by BLP?
Not all professional business services are affordable for SMEs due to high service fees. For us, being able to access such services with the support of BLP was a significant achievement. Improved efficiency and enhanced business operations.
- After receiving the BLP Service (Business Support Grant, Small Grant Facility, Subsidy, Concessional Loan), do you still face challenges in your business operations?
Yes. Challenges in business operations are ongoing, particularly within a tough economy such as Papua New Guinea’s.
- How is your business helping/benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans?
Our locally designed sanitary products are helping thousands of women in both rural and urban areas to save money and manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity, while also protecting the environment from waste pollution. In addition, our education and advocacy programmes promote women’s health and well-being.
- How do you see your business in the next five (5) years?
We aim to produce more eco-friendly and cost-effective sanitary product solutions, reaching thousands of women who need menstrual care in Papua New Guinea and the wider region. Together, we are working towards a #PeriodFriendlyPNG and a #PeriodFriendlyRegion. At QueenPads, we envision a healthy and sustainable society for years to come.
Ends.
