(Picture caption: De La Salle YES team Seki Jams is sharing Samoan culture through selling siamu popo or coconut jam.)
As the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) celebrates its 40th anniversary, the number of Pacific students taking part in the initiative is increasing every year. Over the next few months, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) will profile Pacific YES teams – we hope you get behind and support these budding entrepreneurs too...
Seki Jams, from De La Salle College, Auckland
Seki Jams is a YES business based at De La Salle College in Auckland, promoting Pacific flavour through selling siamu popo or coconut jam.
The team is of Samoan heritage, which has also provided inspiration for their business plan and product.
Proud of their Samoan culture, the team wanted a way to share their traditions, and food - siamu popo – was the perfect outlet.
All of the team members have the same goal of becoming successful entrepreneurs and believe the YES initiative is a great kickstart for their journey.
To ensure the quality of Seki Jams is top notch, the team has connected with numerous people and organisations in the food industry for feedback and advice.
Seki Jam’s recipe for its siamu popo belongs to the late Noah Sinclair-Pritchard, who will continue to live through the sharing of the tasty product, the team says.
Seki Jams is currently selling their products online and at markets.
Visit Seki Jam’s Instagram page to place an order.
The Young Enterprise initiative has supported a total of 5000 students (up until 2022), mentoring and developing their entrepreneur skills and ambitions.
This year, 482 Pacific students from around Aotearoa New Zealand are taking part in the hugely beneficial initiative, an increase from the 457 students last year.
To take part in YES, student groups or businesses must complete four challenges, Validation, The Pitch, Sales and Promotion and the fourth challenge of presenting an Annual Review.
There is over $20,000 in the national prize pool as well as regional awards, cash prizes and tertiary scholarships, while students also have opportunities to attend national business competitions, events and go on partner programmes.
Visit the YES Market website for information on teams’ products and services.