Council Member Profile: Ms Velenie Jacob!
Dear members,
Each week we will be showcasing one of our Council members, to allow you to find out more about them, and what they would like to see happen for the sector they represent. This week we talk to Ms Velenie Jacob.
Council Member: Ms Velenie Jacob
Business: Lokol Akaonting Solusen / Narara Consulting / Bella Trading
Industry Sector: Representing Women in Business
Velenie Jacob has extensive experience working in and for the private sector, having begun her career at Credit Corp and moving onto the Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotions Authority. It was working with small businesses that she noticed there were gaps in her client’s financial management skills, and a real need for financial literacy training. It was here the idea to start her own business to help them was formed.
Velenie started consulting as a part time endeavor, that quickly grew into a full-time business aptly named Lokol Akaonting Solusen, which pushed her to become a full-time entrepreneur.
Soon after, and with two business partners in tow, Lokol Akaonting Solusen grew in its scope and capacity -Velenie expanded her consultancy offerings and renamed her new business entity Narara Consulting. She is also managing a business that her late father started named Bella Trading. In 2023, Velenie revived Bella Trading, and is now purchasing virgin coconut oil from local producers and adding value to it with hopes of growing an export market share.
As a representative for Women in Business on the VCC Council, Velenie would like to focus on providing business skills and financial literacy support to those who have just started their own micro businesses. She would like to help raise their voices to be heard in places where their voices matter and are needed. She would like to see these businesses flourish and grow to their full potential. As someone who is passionate about financial literacy and business growth and development, Velenie would like to empower all Women engaged in Micro-Businesses and is motivated to do supported by VCCI and its business development programs.
Velenie and the VCCI team will be organising some fantastic women in business initiatives in the coming months so watch this space for your opportunity to join her at one of these events!
