Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Pacific Women in Business & The Power of Community

There’s something profoundly powerful about being a woman in business.

It’s not just about climbing the ladder or making a name for ourselves—it’s about reshaping the spaces we enter, leading with intuition, and building networks that uplift entire communities. 

 

 

For Pacific women, this strength is deeply ingrained in our DNA.

We are natural innovators, problem-solvers, and connectors. 

 

We carry with us a legacy of resilience, cultural wisdom, and an ability to adapt—qualities that make us unstoppable in industries once dominated by men.

 

As part of the first all-Pacific, all-female cohort to receive the Prime Minister’s Scholarship—special mentions to Pacific Coorporation Foundation, THANK YOU—my journey to Vietnam was more than an opportunity—it was a mission.

 

A mission to absorb, to learn, and to bring back knowledge that could transform our own communities. 

 

Zooming on my Grab bike through the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting rural factories along the Mekong River, shenanigans in Mũi Né, Phan Thiết, and witnessing firsthand the ingenuity of small businesses, I saw how resourcefulness and tradition can merge to create thriving enterprises.

 

It made me wonder: How do we harness this same energy back home?

But what struck me most was the Vietnamese women.

Women who, despite societal expectations, had built empires from the ground up. Women who had turned their homes into salons and storefronts, kitchens into restaurants, manufacturing hubs, and ideas into industries. 

(Think about who does your nails? I bet you it’s a Vietnamese woman. They dominate the industry, globally. It’s inspiring just thinking about it!)

Not surprisingly, the entrepreneurial spirit was everywhere, reinforcing a truth I’ve always known—we are made for this.

The Power of Women: Intuition, Adaptability & Influence

 

One of the greatest gifts women bring to business is intuition. We see potential where others see obstacles.

We listen, observe, and refine, ensuring that every decision isn’t just strategic but deeply considered.

My experience as an event designer and wedding planner for over thirteen years has reinforced this truth—understanding what people want before they even articulate it, curating experiences that feel effortless yet deeply personal, and navigating challenges with grace and agility.

Vietnam reaffirmed this for me. Watching women entrepreneurs run tech companies, eco-tourism ventures, markets, and salons, negotiate deals, and create global brands from their homes, I was reminded of the power of women-led businesses.

 

The world is shifting, and we are no longer asking for a seat at the table—we are building our own tables.

 

As women, we lead differently. We don’t just build businesses; we build legacies. We create opportunities for others, we bring our families and communities along with us, and we lead with heart.

 

Shaping the Future for the Next Generation

 

This isn’t just about my journey; it’s about the next generation. 

I give back to innovative programs like Young Enterprise, which are crucial in nurturing young minds, instilling an entrepreneurial mindset, and fostering skills like resilience, communication, and leadership. It’s about creating pathways—whether that means becoming a startup founder, an innovator within a corporation, or a community leader. 

I have always chosen to work with South Auckland High Schools because representation is essential. 

 

Connecting with other 6B's - Brown, Beautiful, Brainy, Bilingual, Bi-cultural and Bold South Aucklanders living out their dreams—is fantastic for their personal and professional development.

 

 

As Pacific-Aotearoa women, we must continue to encourage and lead by example, showing our young people from diverse backgrounds—especially our young girls—that their voices are valuable, their dreams are valid, their ambitions are limitless and the world is your oyster.

 

 

What’s Next? Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Our conversations create waves...

If this blog resonates with you, I want to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below—let’s talk about your journey, challenges, and wins. 

If you want to know more about my intern-trip as a Global Citizen & Ambassador of Aotearoa New Zealand, please get in touch and ask me anything. Better yet, let's put an itinerary together, ASAP. Hehe.

Message me at Teuila@weddingshewrote.co.nz, if you’re curious about my top recommendations on why Vietnam is the next best destination for your dream wedding experience! I’ll be sharing an upcoming blog post on why Vietnam is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. 😉 

Pro Tip: If you ever have the opportunity to live and work abroad, do it.

 

 

Want to connect?

Let’s chat! Whether you're in business or want to travel to Vietnam, an entrepreneur in the making, keen travellers, or engaged couples... looking to take their dreams global—let’s build together and create something to remember! ✨✨

 

💡Want to be inspired?

Visit Vietnam. Thank me later.

P.S. Vietnam is for self-care, cafe-loving, adventure-having, shopping-happy, baddies. Did somebody say girls' trip? 😉