Philomena juggles time with studies and her business

By STELLA MARIE AIHI
(DWU Journalism Student)
UNIVERSITY student Philomena Lucian set up her own business to help herself and her parents financially – and has not regretted the decision one bit.
“I knew I had to at least start up something to help support myself financially, being an independent young woman, and also help my family in little ways that I can at the age of 21 in 2022. That was my sole purpose in creating my little business.”
The 22-year-old Central student-businesswoman owns Minzii’s Shop she set up in 2022 while pursuing a Bachelor in Health Management degree at the Divine Word University in Madang.
“Minzii’s Shop is an online small business that I am operating while being an undergraduate final-year student this year.”
She has never regretted the decision she made to start her own business.
“I encourage everyone to try it out.”
Juggling studies and running a business can be a daunting experience. But Philomena now knows how to handle both.
“As a university student, I started my little side-hustle in 2022 during my school holiday in November and December, by selling ladies’ earrings and handbags to assist me financially.
“It was not really a problem for me when I started because it was during my school holidays. I had all the time to myself to do my sales.
“The daily struggles I encountered motivated me to carry on and not give up.”
The other reason she wanted to persevere was noticing her parents struggling financially during her studies in Madang. It convinced her to help herself and not solely be dependent on her parents.
The little income she received from selling helps her buy her own basic needs.
Last year, Philomena began to face difficulties in running her business because she was also trying to concentrate on school work as a third-year student.
But she found a way out of that by practising good time management.

“ As a university student, I started my little side hustle in 2022 during my school holiday in the months of November and December by selling earrings and handbags for ladies to assist me financially.

“Most of the time, I am with my laptop and phone completing my assessments or studying for my test, and at the same time dealing with customers. I was getting orders not only from customers in Madang but in Port Moresby too where I live.”
Philomena is glad that she has been able to cope with running her business on the side which has enabled her to establish a network with other small-medium business owners in Madang and Port Moresby.
Philomena advises her peers, and unemployed people doing nothing around the house, and even employed people, to run small businesses to support themselves financially as life is becoming harder especially in urban areas.
She now does not have to worry looking for jobs after graduating from university.
“Once I complete my studies at university next year, I have my business waiting for me to operate and keep me busy. I will have a full time job and be able to expand Minzii’s Shop as it is my dream to see the business grow.”
Just along the lines of what St Francis of Assisi, Italy, once said: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”