Date: 27th April (Wednesday)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Platform: Zoom / FREE Info-session
The pandemic has proven to be a difficult time for many, especially business owners. Did your business suffer as a result of the pandemic? If so, you’re in luck, we may have something for you! The Fiji Development Bank is offering a “Small and Medium Enterprise Sustainability Package”. This is a great opportunity for business owners who were faced with tough challenges as a result of COVID-19. The SME sustainable package aims to assist existing businesses to grow in an economy that is currently recovering from the pandemic.
We believe this is a great step in rebuilding! We hope you can join us! Join us for this info-session with the team from the Fiji Development Bank as they share with us, their great initiative to support MSME’s in Fiji.
See you there!
Date: 28th April (Thursday)
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Platform: Hybrid / MEMBERS-ONLY Event
As the leader of your business, you are responsible for spotting problems and delegating solutions. You are responsible for setting goals and thinking about the future. The only person in your company who will be genuinely motivated to grow your company is you. Every minute that you spend working on tasks that can be delegated is a minute that you are not planning, strategising and building the best business possible.
About our speaker:
Ram Bajekal is a professional with 35 years experience in the corporate sector – 20 years at the highest level of CEO / Managing Director (15 years heading FMCG businesses). The last 12 of those years have been in the Pacific Region, based in Fiji and transacting business with all Pacific Island Countries. He has a track record of high performance with significant results that enabled rapid career growth. Rams forté has been effective strategising, timely execution and incisive reviews bound in strategic leadership, resulting in significant value creation. Ram is a Fulbright scholar in Management Studies from Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA – only the third Indian to receive the prestigious Fulbright-CII Fellowship for Leadership in Management. Also a qualified Chartered Accountant and Intermediate Company Secretary.
Members, join us from 9:00AM to 10:00AM for our Veiwasei (sharing) event with Ram Bajekal as he shares his tips and tricks on how to step out and work ON your business instead of IN in order to identify areas that need improvement, delegate the work out, so you can continue to be the troubleshooter and visionary that you need to be.
Book your seat now and don’t miss out.
Tell us about yourself and Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development?
I am first a husband and a proud father, and I am passionate about the broadcast industry in the region.
For the last 10 years, I have been working in Papua New Guinea, for the country’s first television broadcaster. My career and my background are in television, particularly in the areas of production and content.
After leaving PNG in December 2021, I decided to come back to Fiji to spend time with family and more importantly, to be close to my wife and son. We have been living away from each other for a total of nine months due to the pandemic.
I commenced work with the Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD) in March 2022 as a Programme Manager. AIBD is an inter-governmental organization, with the purpose of developing the media industry in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically in the areas of radio and television. AIBD has more than 40 members countries, of which 8 of these countries are from the Pacific. My role as a Programme Manager is to manage AIBD’s programs and initiatives in the Pacific.
What is your favourite thing about your career?
On an industry level, my favorite thing about working in the television industry is that no two assignments are the same. The next assignment will always be different from the last. Today you can be working on a live sports broadcast and the next thing you know; you could be working on a documentary about the Covid-19. It’s being able to work across a wide variety of topics, situations, and scenarios and with different people that can really help you widen your perspectives.
With my current role at AIBD, I also like the diverse cultures and nationalities that I get to work with within the organisation. We have people from different countries across the Asia-Pacific region, and we have all come together to work towards a common goal – the development of radio and television in the region. Externally, I also get to work with people from 8 different countries across the Pacific. I also like the fact that in this role, I am in a position to effect change and development in the broadcast space at a regional level.
What’s your go-to guilty pleasure?
Sometimes I like to order a particular dish from different places just to compare them and see which one is the best. Recently, we (me, my wife and son – yes, it’s a family activity) did this with fish and chips from three different fish and chips places in Pacific Harbor, in the same night, for dinner. There was of course a winner. We might be doing this for pizza next.
What is the best advice you have ever received and how has it helped shape you as an individual?
Some of the best words of advice I got was from watching a lot of sermons delivered by of Myles Munroe. Two of the messages he shared that I will never forget are:
- “Find your domain and serve it to the world.” – Myles Munroe
- “Our life is the sum total of all the decisions we make every day, and those decisions are determined by our priorities” – Myles Munroe
Why does coworking work for you?
While working from home can be liberating, co-working from this space is both liberating and empowering. Just seeing and being surrounded by passionate people who people who are driven is very motivating.
Date: 13th April (Wednesday)
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Platform: Zoom / FREE Session
Burnout is more than just feeling tired at work. It’s an emotional and physical reaction to constant stress. This form of mental exhaustion has been known to be associated with increased depression, anxiety and sleep problems, amongst other afflictions that prevent you from being the BEST version of yourself. As high-performing business owners, consultants and professionals, it is sometimes an impossible task to ‘unplug’ from work, take a break and make meaningful connections to the people around you. Or just slowing down, being in the moment and enjoying the little things.
If this resonates with you, join us with our qualified mental health trainers and speakers; Ofa, Gaylene and Soro for a 1-hour free information session on Burnouts, Stress and Coping in the busy lives of entrepreneurs and professionals
Get your free ticket now and don’t miss out!
Date: 1st April (Friday)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Platform: In-person / MEMBERS-ONLY Session
The word “community” is used so often today and when the term is thrown around in countless contexts, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of community—and how to develop communities that add purpose and joy to our lives. So, what exactly is community? In its simplest form, it’s a group of people with something in common. That shared factor could be family, geography, or life stage. It could also be an overlapping interest, passion, or profession. But for a group of people to form a true community that enriches the lives of its members, the individuals involved must also feel a shared sense of trust, connection, and caring for one another.
We at Greenhouse Coworking believe that the experience of getting together and sharing a meal with friends creates the best relationships. That’s why are inviting all our members to share a meal together to strengthen our community bond at our very first (of many) ‘Lunch at The Garden’ session this Friday! All you have to do is bring your lunch and join us for an informal catchup with good company. Book your seats now or drop us an email to confirm your attendance.
We truly hope to see you all there!
Tell us about yourself and what you do?
I work with 350.org, an organisation that is building a global grassroots movement to take on the fossil fuel industry and big polluters the world over. In my role as the Head of Regions, I oversee work in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Pacific. I also serve on the Pacific Climate Warriors Secretariat and support Pacific Climate advocacy across 16 Pacific Island nations and diaspora communities in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. I am passionate about storytelling, photography and filmmaking. I also identify as a climate justice movement trainer and facilitator. I have taken those passions, combined them with my love for podcasting, and created my own podcast, Beyond The Narrative. I am also currently a Nia Tero Storytelling Fellow.
What do you consider the most difficult aspect of your job and how do you overcome it?
There is a lot happening in the world right now with climate impacts, war, loss, grief and often times acknowledging that can be difficult. To overcome that, I often have to honor what is and do the work to reconfigure my relationship to the future I hold some fear around. Our brains and hearts are not well equipped for uncertainty so when I begin to go down a rabbit hole I remind myself that its OK to recognise these feelings, honor what it is and how it feels in my body, and answer the call to rest- to take a pause, to breathe and find joy in the world we are all stewarding right now. A beautiful sunrise, an empty beach, the perfect roti parcel from a takeout in Suva, a fresh ‘bu’ (coconut water) on the side of the road, a hug from a family member, and a deep conversation with a friend. All of these things generate such positive emotions and it’s important to be reminded of all that when I’m faced with any difficulties with my job and outside of my work as well. Counting the blessings of the little things have been so great with navigating challenges.
Best piece of advice that you live by?
Staying consistent with whatever somatic practice aligns with your lifestyle. Dedicate time in your mornings to plan out your workday – pay attention to how you steward resources. Let every dollar you’ve been blessed with have a job in your life.
How has coworking at Greenhouse been for you?
Having this space has made such a huge difference. The team at Greenhouse really has been intentional with building out a community around this space and you really do feel like you are coming into a space that is welcoming and generative. I work 3 days a week from here and it’s helped me tremendously! From the private zoom rooms to the open space where the shared desks exist, to the outside decking. Each corner of the coworking space strikes the tricky balance of being fit for purpose and versatile! Its a welcome alternative to the traditional ways of working that exist in our societies.
Date: 8th March 2022 (Friday)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Platform: Zoom / FREE Session
Many ‘defining’ moments in life come from having crucial conversations, as these create significant shifts in attitude and behaviour. Conversations come in many forms, from friendly to professional, from low-risk to high-stakes, and from relaxed to tense. Every day we engage in numerous conversations, each which play important roles in shaping our expectations, relationships, and outcomes. Navigating conversations effectively takes certain skills, such as social intelligence, courage, self-control, and even humility.
For entrepreneurs and leaders, communication is a key component to leading the people around you, to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. When stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong, it’s important that everyone involved in the conversation feels safe. Look for signs of fear and bring the conversation back to safety. There’s often a gap between what we say, what we mean, and how someone else perceives what was said. When engaging in a crucial conversation, blend confidence with humility. Be confident enough to state opinions and facts, but also be open to accept a challenge.
Book your FREE seat now to join us for this virtual session with William Parkinson and don’t miss out on the importance of having those crucial conversations.
Tell us about yourself and what you do?
Since I arrived in Fiji in 2020, I work on the development of renewable energy projects in the Pacific region.
What is your favourite thing about the work that you do?
Developing such projects on an island-scale is very engaging because you can observe immediate results in the clean energy transition of these countries, towards more sustainability and independency.
Tell us about your favourite way to spend a day off
I love doing outdoor activities and Fiji has an amazing playground for this, both on land and sea.
In 3 words how would describe Greenhouse Coworking?
Enthusiastic, Dynamic and Ingenious
Date: 30th March 2022 (Wednesday)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Platform: Zoom / FREE Class
What is impact investment? Simply put, impact investment is an investment strategy with the intention of a beneficial effect on the social and/or environmental aspect, alongside a financial return. As investors, social entrepreneurs, and human beings, we have a moral imperative to take on the challenges facing our planet and our global population. Through impacting investing, we can be agents of social change – while also achieving (and very often exceeding) our individual goals as investors and entrepreneurs.
With the promotion of sustainability and social responsibilities, impact investment provides a unique opportunity for small businesses to steer towards a more impact appealing stance for potential investors in their search for green and great ideas!
Speaker bio: Jinita Prasad, Financial Sector Specialist
Jinita is a high-performing executive operating on a regional platform specialising in financial sector development across the Pacific. Her focus areas include impact investment, blended finance, SME’s access to finance and gender lens investing. Having worked in the private sector for more than 15 years, Jinita moved from mainstream finance to development finance, using her strong business and technical skills to implement development programs that support social enterprises and SMEs. She currently serves on the board of VB Holdings Ltd, a publicly listed company in Fiji. Based in Sydney, Jinita’s professional network within the private and public sector across the Pacific remains strong, enabling her to identify opportunities and risks for clients and stakeholders. Jinita has previously served as the CEO for South Pacific Stock Exchange playing a critical role in developing Fiji’s capital markets.
Given her passion for women’s economic empowerment and SME development, Jinita also served as the vice president for Women in Business Fiji and was an executive for the Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a number of years. Jinita holds a BA in Accounting and Financial Management from University of the South Pacific (USP) and a graduate diploma from Financial Services Institute of Australasia in Applied Finance and Investment and was and a co-facilitator for MBA Finance Class at USP.
Get your FREE tickets now or email us at cowork@greenhousefiji.com to discover the opportunities that presents itself for small businesses through impact investment in the Pacific with Jinita Prasad.
Date: 25th March 2022 (Friday)
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Platform: Zoom / FREE Class
So you want to start a business and need help funding it? Coming up with creative ideas is easy; selling them to strangers is hard. Pitching your business idea to investors can be a nerve-wracking experience and nailing this aspect of entrepreneurship is what often stands in the way of your vision and your financing needs.
A good pitch is succinct. In most cases, you only have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention and get your point across. All too often, entrepreneurs, sales executives, and marketing managers go to great lengths to show how their new business plans or creative concepts are practical and high margin—only to be rejected by corporate decision makers who don’t seem to understand the real value of the ideas. Why does this happen?
Book your FREE seat now and find out at this session on how to pitch your ideas to investors!
Speaker Bio: Takia Ross, Owner and Lead Make-up Artist for Accessmatized, LLC
Takia Ross is the Owner of Accessmatized Make-Up Artistry, home of Pretty Mobile Baltimore DMV’s First Mobile Make-Up Studio and creator of KiKi Thunda Cosmetics. Holding true to her mission to provide exceptional customer service, amazing make-up artistry, and to create products that help their customers feel their most confident sevles; she has been named one of Baltimore’s Top 25 Women to Watch, one of the DMV’s Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises, and one of Baltimore’s Top Community Builders. She is the co-host of The Shelly Bell Show on SiriusXM radio and has recently worked with Nike, Experian, and Visa as the Director of Glam on projects that amplify the voices of Black Women Founders. She has been featured in Forbes, The Baltimore Sun, The Daily Record, The Baltimore Business Journal, the Baltimore Times, and many more publications for her service to the Baltimore Community and her commitment to empowering and advocating for Black Women in business. She is a mother, teacher,photographer, international speaker, and author of So You Want to Pitch a workbook that shares the lessons Takia learned while pitching and winning over $150,000 in cash and prizes.
Speaker Bio: Cecilia Flores, COO & Co-Founder of Webee
Cecilia Flores is a tech entrepreneur passionate about the social impact of disruptive technologies and innovation. She co-founded Webee, a software-industrial IoT and AI company based in Silicon Valley, to increase the efficiency, visibility, and sustainability of industrial operations. In July 2020 she was named the Best US Enterprise SaaS winner of the Female Founders Competition, a major global competition organized by Microsoft’s M12, Melinda Gates’ Pivotal Venture, and Mayfield Fund. She was also recognized as a 2020 winner in the Globant Global Awards in the “Game Changer” category in the US and Canada and as “Entrepreneurial Force” winner in La Voz del Interior, an award that recognizes the leaders of the Córdoba, Argentina business ecosystem. Cecilia is listed in the 2021 Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Most Influencial Women and a 2021 Tory Burch Foundation’s Fellow.
Cecilia’s career spans over 15 years in operator roles driving revenue for large multinational businesses.
Members, simply get your ticket from your online portal Nexudus, or if any issues, you can also email us at cowork@greenhousefiji.com and we’ll send you the details.
See you there!
