Starting small better than waiting for money to start business: Mori

It is better to start small and work your way up than waiting to have thousands of kina to start a business, Minister Commerce and Industry Wera Mori says.
Mori, who was the guest speaker at the opening of a K2.5 million wing of the Birdwing Butterfly Lodge in Popondetta last week, said starting small enabled the owner to manage the business as it grew and expanded.
“When you start small, you will be able to adjust to difficult situations in your progress,” Mori said.
Owner and founder Birdwing Butterfly Lodge Paul Toki said it had taken him and his wife Violet 22 ‘long and hard years’ to get the lodge to its current status.
From its early humble beginnings in 1997 with just two bedrooms, a common shower toilet and a kitchen with only two staff, Birdwing Lodge has expanded to a modern hotel accommodation.
The new wing of the Birdwing Butterfly Lodge consists of 16 rooms, eight on the ground floor and another eight on the top floor with balconies overlooking Popondetta.
Birdwing Butterfly Lodge manager Tony Toki said it was the first phase of a five-phase development plan.
He said there were plans to build similar wings and other apartments.
Toki said the lodge employed 20 staff.