Business owners Mireille Buyamasu and Ane Fotu are standing out from the crowd with the recent release of their one-of-a-kind products.
Both women are business participants from the Duniya Behter program, a new initiative from Multicultural Arts Victoria that gives culturally and linguistically diverse women the opportunity to receive business training, support and funding to make their businesses a reality.
Since July last year, both women have been a part of a group of eight that has received business support through this program at the Point of Difference studio in Mooroopna.
Mrs Fotu is also the co-ordinator for the Duniya Behter program, which she was asked to take on after receiving the funding for her own business.
“It’s been very interesting working with the women and I think I’m learning more from them than they are from me,’’ she said.
“We’ve been providing them with workshops, talking to each individual because they’re on different levels with their businesses.’’
Miss Buyamasu is changing the market of African hair care with her recently launched hair product business, Belle Fleur Mira, which targets the growth and nourishment of African hair.
She found that the hair struggle of the African community was real — and she knew something needed to be done about it.
“Our hair is different to Caucasian type of hair,” she said.
“So, it’s hard sometimes to manage and that’s why you see a lot of people put extensions on.
“I saw in the community, a lot of people putting on extensions. Some do it because of self hate, and thinking that they want longer or straight hair, or they just cannot manage it and it’s too hard to brush.
“So I was like, I need to come up with something we like in Shepparton.
“There is no way I could find African hair products.
“I’ve tried products before for my hair, and I haven’t found something that goes with my hair.
“So I started sourcing and that's where my business idea came from with shampoos, conditioners, leave-in conditioners and oil for the hair.”
Miss Buyamasu spent more than two years working on her business, researching and testing ingredients for the products and sourcing places for the products to be made.
A lot of thought and care was taken in creating the business, including the name, Belle Fleur Mira, which she chose herself.
Deriving from the French language, Belle means beautiful, Fleur means flower and Mira is Miss Buyamasu’s nickname.
The chosen name of Fleur was also a more personal choice for Miss Buyamasu, as it’s the name of her sister who sadly died.
“I just wanted to continue her name and include her in my business,” she said.
Mrs Fotu, on the other hand, is challenging the usual and plain design of gift boxes with a unique Tongan twist.
Her business, Malieta Gifts, features gift boxes that contain products from Australia and the Pacific Islands, which she hopes will change up the gift market.
“When lockdown first hit, I’d jump online and just send gifts to my family and friends,” Mrs Fotu said.
“It helps me cope when I’m gifting but I wanted more Pacific Island stuff. But not just Pacific Island stuff, I wanted a mixture, which was really hard to find.”
“I just thought that’s the missing bit.
“We have just Pacific Island stuff or just local products, so I thought what better way than mixing them together.
“The idea is to put a Tongan product and a little card in the box to explain the history and the origin behind it.
“So, in a way you’re gifting and you’re educating and sharing your culture with others as well.”
Sourcing her products from local markets and Pacific Islander businesses, Mrs Fotu sees supporting local businesses and her home land as what makes her product so special.
“I go to every single market day because you just never know what people make and who's out there,” she said.
“One it’s easier for me to buy local and secondly, you want to help local and just keep money here.
“It’s also nice to know that the money goes back home too, back to the islands.”
Belle Fleur Mira and Malieta Gifts have now been launched and are available to order.
For Belle Fleur Mira products visit its website and follow it on Facebook and Instagram @rock_it_crown_it.
For Malieta Gifts, there will be a website coming soon, so for more information or to purchase a gift box, visit its Instagram @malietagiftshop.
Both women have achieved their business goals through the Duniya Behter program, which has been funded through the Victorian Government’s Priority Response to Multicultural Communities program.
Another round of funding has been announced for Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith organisations and applications are open until April 10.
For more information or to apply for funding, visit the Victorian Government priority response to multicultural communities website.