Rosie Lameko, whose stall featured jewellery, handicrafts, and homemade funafuna lovingly made by a women’s community group from the Marshall Islands, shared her thoughts on the importance of self-care. 

"It’s in our nature as women to think about others. We tend to always put ourselves last. 
I think it is important to remember yourself. Sometimes you get lost in the moment of being a mom, a wife, a partner, a daughter. We wear all these hats, but remember yourself in the process."

Margaret Lagi, owner of Marlina’s Cookies, spoke about the lessons she has learned on her business journey. 

"I think it’s really important to prioritise ourselves, and I’ve only just learnt that through the business journey. I’ve realised I’m not of use to anyone, especially my own kids and husband, without looking after me first."

Lillian Roache, founder of JGLass Candles, reflected on what empowerment means to her. 

"I’ve always been a positive person, and I guess it’s the growth that I find from different sources. I buy a lot of personal development books and read a lot of self-motivation. I’ve always been about growth as a person. 

"It’s about positivity. You’ve got to surround yourself with positive people and positive environments because it’s contagious and it feeds on." 

By showcasing the voices of Pacific women in business, PMA’s Market Day reinforced a powerful message: women’s health matters, and taking time to prioritise it is not just important, it’s essential.