When people think of Samoans and indigenous Pacific Islanders (Pasifika), they tend to think of athletes, entertainers, and The Rock. Much less often they picture lawyers, doctors, and engineers. This makes it special news to learn of Pasifika lawyers like Leah Tuisavalalo, who runs a law group and serves the community at large.
What is her connection to the South Pacific? Leah Tuisavalalo was born in Connecticut. Her father is from New York, and her mother is from Western Samoa. Her mother’s father comes from the Wendt family in Lefaga, and her mother’s mother comes from the Patu family in Vaiola. Ms. Tuisavalalo lived in Connecticut until her freshman year of high school, when her dad became the Country Director for the Peace Corp in Western Samoa. As a result, she spent her high school years in Western Samoa. Afterward, she attended and graduated from University of Hawai’i in Manoa. After graduating, she moved back to the mainland and attended law school. She received her law degree from Santa Clara University of Law in 2007. She lived in Redwood City, California, and loved her Santa Clara life. However, it was expensive to continue living in that area. With a law degree under her belt, she moved to Fresno, California, otherwise known as the Central Valley, to live closer to her husband’s family. What is her Legal Practice? After Ms. Tuisavalalo passed the California bar exam, she started off doing contract work. Her mother-in-law shared her resume with the Polynesian community in Fresno. This networking led to interviews and various opportunities to work for law firms. In fact, she worked for two of the largest immigration firms in Fresno, before starting her own practice with her partner. This empowered Ms. Tuisavalalo to make a difference by serving the Pacific Islander community. She founded Pasifika Immigration Law Group, LLP . This company is a full-service immigration law firm, located in downtown Fresno, California. Their attorneys have extensive experience in all areas of immigration law, as well as criminal law as it relates to immigration issues. They speak Spanish, Russian, and Samoan. They offer in-person consultations and appointments in the Fresno, San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, as well as in Salt Lake City, Utah by appointment. Pasifika Immigration Law Group, LLP hosts workshops that are legal based, such as residency, citizenship, and legal forms. (Inside tip - it is a red flag when the applicant’s name is not on the legal form.) What are some issues that Pacific Islanders face? Some immigrant Pacific Islanders face stigma because they do not have legal documentation. During tourist season, some islanders travel to the mainland but do not go back to their island home in time. Then they fear returning home because they will be barred from visiting the United States again. In situations like this, they need assistance with information, remedies, and legal documentation. Another issue concerning the Tongan community is their vulnerability to the fraud of adult adoption regarding immigration. Some undocumented immigrants fell victim to the promise of citizenship through adult adoption. People who found themselves in this situation needed information about the proper steps for naturalization and remedies. A more common issue for Pacific Islanders is not wanting to ask for help because of various challenges. Some people do not have the money for the legal resources that are available to them, and they experience shame because of this stigma. Others do not know that they need legal assistance, because their situation is so unfamiliar, and so unlike their ways back home. Quite simply, they do not understand the law and norms of a foreign society. The workshops that Pasifika Immigration Law Group, LLP offers the community help overcome these obstacles by educating the people and providing valuable resources and solutions. What are some Recommendations for Pasifika Law Students? Ms. Tuisavalalo recommends internships for law students because the internships provide valuable experience. The experience is hands-on which makes it practical. Internships lead to mentorship and training. Also, internships allow students to meet other practicing attorneys, thus expanding their network. What are some Recommendations for Pasifika Lawyers? She recommends striking a life “balance” between family and work. This balance is valuable for preventing burn out and increasing productivity. Young lawyers may be tempted to put their own needs aside, but they must resist that temptation and practice self-care. Ms. Tuisavalalo estimates that other Pacific Islander attorneys, and potential attorneys, may want advice. For that reason, she believes there is a need for an organization for Pasifika lawyers to share resources and information. Leah Tuisavalalo is a Pasifika lawyer who cares about the community. Her law group is a valuable resource for the Pacific Islander community, because often our community is underserved and forgotten. As a result, we should celebrate the success of community members, and promote the good work that these members do. You can contact Pasifika Immigration Law Group, LLP through any method. PHONE (559) 441-9400 FAX (559) 441-9401 ADDRESS Pasifika Immigration Law Group, LLP 923 Van Ness Ave, Suite 100 Fresno, CA 93721
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Some say the best business is the one which offers solutions because it meets a need.That's what Measina Treasures of Samoa is doing - meeting needs of the global community who are interested in Samoan education, products, stories, and entertainment.
What sets Measina apart from other Samoan online stores and platforms? Morwenna Petaia, the owner and founder. You'll find her personal touch and care in Measina programs. One of the many solutions that I'm happy to find at Measina Treasures of Samoa is their work with Samoan writers. Measina meets this under-served need because they list and promote Samoan authored books. What sets Measina apart from other platforms that list Samoan authored books? Measina Treasures of Samoa does not charge a listing fee which saves money for the author. Although Measina takes a small commission fee, the author enjoys most of the profits. Unlike other platforms, Measina supports small authors and content creators who just need a chance to get their foot through the door. They root for the little guy (even if in fact, we're tall and big in stature). Measina Treasures of Samoa has a stylish website, YouTube channel, and social media presence. They work tirelessly in keeping their word to promote the culture, language, and stories of Samoa. Want to see a Measina interview with one of their Samoan authors? Then check out this video: https://youtu.be/Wdmd7WzND7c Katalina's Island Grill Above is a photo of Katalina in front of her restaurant's signage and counter. Heleni Pahulu, Katalina's daughter, spoke with me about her family‘s restaurant, Katalina’s Island Grill in Hayward, California.
Address: 821 Sycamore Ave, Hayward, CA 94544 Dine in, or take out. Authentic Tongan food and drinks Catering service (pick up only): Call (510) 200-9504 For me, this is the Real Tonga Room of the Bay Area because Katalina's Island Grill sells authentic Tongan food, drinks, and desserts. They play familiar island jams (music), and their interior is decorated with signature pacific designs and photos. The restaurant is suited for families and celebrations because of the large tables and entertainment stage which are characteristic of pacific islander culture. In 2020, they will host live shows. Follow them on Instagram, and Facebook so you can stay informed. Sooner than that, if you're in the Bay Area, then visit their family restaurant for a home cooked meal and friendly service. Hear their story in my show, "Pacific Business Podcast." Heleni talks about their menu, working with family, Tongan culture, and the impact of positive Yelp reviews. This is a Two Part interview. Click on the links below to listen: Part One: (1/2) Katalina's Island Grill Part Two: (2/2) Katalina's Island Grill Favorite my podcast to hear more from "Pacific Business Podcast." https://anchor.fm/fanaika-faagau  Morwenna A. Petaia met me on skype, from across the pond, to talk about her experiences as the owner of Measina Treasures of Samoa in Melbourne, Australia. Measina Treasures of Samoa does three things: 1) Sell products, made by Samoans from all over the world; 2) Blog about all things that are Samoa; 3) Share educational programs through the Samoan culture. Morwenna is a talented Samoan business owner, wife, and mother. Our Samoan culture is the basis of her business, and the bridge for Samoans in the diaspora to connect with Samoa. In today's world, we import a lot of non-pacific goods into the Pacific Islands. Refreshingly, Measina Treasures of Samoa helps us share Samoan made products with the rest of the world. As a result, this business has its reach into the United States. We also discussed the importance of developing a business community, and the impact of economic power. Please check out our talk. This is a Two Part interview. Click on the links below to listen: Part One: (1/2) Measina Treasures of Samoa Part Two: (2/2) Measina Treasures of Samoa Pacific Business Podcast Last year, I worked with a small business which was suffering a lot of cash flow problems. Their biggest problem was that they did not have the Time and Patience to go over their budget, spending, and expenses. It was an especially costly problem because the harder they worked, the less money they saw.
Making money was not a problem because they were a reliable, hardworking team with returning customers. The problem was that they did not know how to generate a profit after paying their bills. I met with them, and went over their expenses. We discovered a few items that cost them $4000 a month, but these were not necessary costs. Just to name a few:
As new business owners, my concern was to reduce overhead costs. We worked together, trimmed any fat (unnecessary spending) of the new business, and brainstormed ways to increase revenue. It was a learning experience for us both to be more self-interested as a business owner. To follow my blog, please subscribe on the homepage. Fanaika Fa'agau Consulting, LLC  Kasanita "Nita" Faagau-Tiliti sat down and talked about her experiences as a co-owner of Continental Appliance Company in San Francisco. They offer appliance repair services in the Bay Area. Nita is a hard-working Polynesian business owner, wife, and mother of three. She and Sal (husband and co-owner of Continental Appliance Co.) feel blessed to run their own business and serve customers in the Bay Area. She explained the value of investing in home appliances. In a rich place like the Bay Area, there's a temptation to throw out defective home appliances especially if the warranty expired or if there's no warranty at all. But Nita talked about the convenience of calling her appliance repair company to come to the homes of customers and repair the appliance, and the environmental benefit of re-using the repaired appliance as opposed to throwing it away and adding to the landfill. This is a Two Part interview. Click on the links below to listen: Part One: (1/2) Continental Appliance Co in SF Part Two: (2/2) Continental Appliance Co in SF Pacific Business Podcast Who is the Pasifika community? Pasifika people are indigenous to the Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian islands. But they live in the diaspora, such as the United States.
Many societal problems that the pasifika community faces require economic solutions. For that reason, there is a strong push for business development because of the potential for wealth and job creation. Surplus of money can help in paying for solutions in education, health, and civic engagement. Here are some helpful Small Business Resources: U.S. Small Business Administration: is a government agency that helps start and grow your business with free business counseling, finding a SBA lender for business loans, and much more. Visit their website to find the nearest SBA District Office. Coconut Wireless United States facebook page: has 3000+ followers which means that it has a large reach. Business owners should contact the page, and ask if they can share announcements which helps promote events/products/services Islander Elevation app: reinvests in our Islander People by connecting Pacific Islander businesses with each other, and providing job resources. This app is great for iPhone entrepreneurs who do a lot of business and communication on their phones. (The link leads to their Instagram page, but from there you can download the app.) Pacific Business Podcast: is my own podcast in which I interview Pasifika business owners, and talk about their business experiences in the United States. Please subscribe to hear us talk story about interesting community topics. If you know of additional resources, then please comment below and I will update this blog entry. If you're thinking of starting a small business, then you're probably wondering:
Should I operate as a Sole Proprietor, or form an LLC (limited liability corporation)? Well, it depends. First, there are various business structures you can consider such as sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, corporation, and S corporation. But sole proprietorship and LLC are the more simple and common structures. Second, which state do you plan to run your business? In some states, it is especially more expensive to operate an LLC. Third, is your business vulnerable to lawsuits? The more likely a client or merchant will sue, then the more likely you may need to invest in forming an LLC. If you do need legal advice, then it's best to seek a business law attorney. Below are some comparisons between the two structures: Sole Proprietor As a sole proprietor, there is no separate business entity. This means that the sole owner is one in the same with her business because the owner is personally liable for the company's debt. There is no formal registration for a sole proprietorship because the owner automatically becomes a sole proprietor as soon as she performs business activities. However, you may still need to obtain necessary licenses and permits depending on your industry. LLC Forming an LLC creates a separate business entity from the owner. This means that the owner is shielded from most personal liabilities. Formal registration is required in order to form an LLC, but the forms and filing fee depend on the state in which you conduct business activities. Below are some of the state websites:
Consultation: If you'd like additional help in determining whether to operate as a sole proprietor or form an LLC, then contact me today. Ruby Fanaika Fa'agau Consulting, LLC (775) 237-8667 [email protected] |
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