A local hair salon in Apia is looking to cash in on Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, which gets underway on Sunday after the salon was chosen as the official hair stylist for the current Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands.

Peata's Salon in Leone is the official hair stylist for Miss Samoa, Haylanni Pearl Mataupu Kuruppu as well as current reigning Miss Pacific Islands, Fonoifafo McFarland Seumanu during the pageant.

Hair salon owner Peata Daizy Pula, a single mother who after previously working for a longtime salon owner before branching out on her own, told the Samoa Observer that her business was able to overcome various hurdles including the Covid-19 lockdown.

She said her business is now flourishing thanks to the support of mothers and women in the local community and she remains grateful for her customers. 

"Business has been extremely busy for us for Christmas and New Years, it started from November and hasn't slowed down," Peata said.

"The working public and weddings are being booked from overseas. We also have family and friends booking for family and friends here and paying online, the bookings are rolling in and business is picking up.

"The pageant starts Sunday and we are the official hair stylist for Miss Samoa Haylanni Pearl Mataupu Kuruppu and also Miss Pacific Islands, Fonoifafo McFarland Seumanu." 

Peata is well known in Samoa as a very friendly and dedicated hairdresser and has many local clients who return due to her prioritising her customers' privacy and trust. 

In an earlier interview she said that her teen daughter helps her in the salon. A client of the hair salon, Marlene Schwalger said that she is very comfortable going there because they are always nice and kind to her.