Connecting for success: Sione Faumuina’s proactive approach with Amotai
When Sione Faumuina and his wife Renay decided to take a leap into the business world, they didn’t just dip their toes in – they dove headfirst. It all started with a casual conversation about side hustles.
“Rather than starting from scratch, I said to Renay, ‘Let’s buy a business’” Sione recalls with a laugh.
The opportunity came in the form of Pinpoint Promotional Products, a well-established company with a rich history.
“We bought it from a lovely lady in Auckland almost three years ago,” Sione shares.
“My wife was running it during school hours while I was working full time for another company. Towards the end of last year, I put a plan together and presented it to Renay, and by February, I was fully immersed in Pinpoint.”
Initially focussing on promotional products like pens, Pinpoint under Sione’s leadership began to expand its offerings.
“We started to add apparel – corporate workwear and uniforms,” Sione says. “It was all about offering more to our clients.”
The real game-changer for Sione and Pinpoint came with their introduction to Amotai, a network supporting Māori and Pasifika businesses.
“I first heard about Amotai through a friend, and a few months later, I decided to explore it,” Sione recalls.
Joining Amotai opened a world of opportunities.
“The Meet the Buyer events were really helpful,” Sione notes. “Meeting buyers face-to-face and getting to know other suppliers was awesome. I felt like a kid in a candy store seeing so many opportunities for Māori and Pasifika business.”
Sione’s proactive approach was key.
“I started dedicating time each day to personally email 20 buyers,” he says. “Networking, following up, and putting yourself out there – it’s all part of building your business.”
This hands-on strategy paid off.
At a Meet the Buyer event in Auckland, Sione connected with multiple potential clients.
“The event was fantastic”, he says. “I got onto a preferred supplier list for an organisation that I met there and have already secured some sales.”
The Tauranga Meet the Buyer event was another pivotal moment for Sione.
“The Tauranga event was smaller and more intimate which allowed for deeper connections,” says Sione, “I met a buyer there who was new to Amotai and they immediately connected me with their procurement team. That introduction led to Pinpoint being added to their preferred supplier list and we’ve already started quoting for work.”
Sione’s cultural roots as a Kiwi-born Samoan play a significant role in his business approach.
“Relationship building, honesty, integrity, and serving others are at the forefront,” he emphasises. “When I signed up with Amotai, I believed in the kaupapa and thought, what can I do to help them too?”
His commitment to Amotai’s mission went beyond just benefiting his own business.
Sione was able to speak to one of his key clients, DHL, and encourage them to become buyers with Amotai.
“I have a great relationship with DHL as a preferred supplier, and I saw an opportunity to get them on board with Amotai as well,” he explains. “I’m happy to use some of my contacts and introduce them to the benefits of joining Amotai as buyers.”
Looking ahead, Sione is excited about developing a unique line of Māori and Pasifika branded products.
“We’re working on creating a product line that reflects our cultural heritage,” he shares. “This is our way of standing out in a competitive industry.”
For other Māori and Pasifika suppliers considering joining Amotai, Sione’s advice is clear:
“It’s a great opportunity to get in front of companies you might not otherwise reach, but you’ve got to put in the work. Network, follow up, and don’t be shy. There’s a lot of potential.”
Amotai CE, Anna-Jane Edwards commends Sione’s proactive efforts.
“Sione is a testament to how Māori and Pasifika businesses can thrive with the right opportunities and dedicated approach,” says Anna.
“His dedication to leveraging our resources and building meaningful connections for Pinpoint is inspiring and shows the power of our network.”