Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) celebrated the 13th anniversary of its establishment on Saturday - a successful journey the company attributed to God’s favour.

A small ceremony was held on Saturday at which the management and staff of S.S.A.B. gathered at its megastore an hour before opening. 

Cake was on hand to celebrate S.S.A.B.’s birthday celebration but the ceremony was mainly a chance to express praise and gratitude to God for the company’s 13 years of success in business.

According to the President and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of S.S.A.B., Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai, the company started in 2008 with only four employees including herself.

Tofilau said that after 13 years S.S.A.B. now employs more than 180 employees with a total of seven branches, four stores in Upolu, two in Savai’i and one in Auckland, New Zealand.

“I am thankful to God for his favour and many blessings over S.S.A.B. all these years,” she said.

“Everything is all God’s doing which enabled S.S.A.B. to reach its 13th birthday…and we look forward to the future.

“With the journey, it’s really God who we credit for all the love, especially the blessings and favour, we always honour God.”

She said that the company has a prayer room located at the top floor of its three-storey building in Togafu’afu’a. 

“The journey of S.S.A.B. has been challenging…in the beginning we had to find financing to fund the whole project but along the way,” she said.

“As we grew, we needed more people, the more expenses, we needed to expand, we needed to actually build more buildings.

“But I am one of those entrepreneurs that believe in hiring people to make money, I have strong faith in God.”

The C.E.O. said that while other people look at their finances and they cannot afford to hire someone, she thinks differently.

“If I see there is a gap and I need someone to breach that gap then I will hire that person and I believe that bringing people to make money and help develop and grow the company.

“And that is how S.S.A.B. grew from four to 180 plus employees.” 

Tofilau said that their journey growing and expanding the company was not easy.

She said when the COVID-19 global pandemic hit Samoa’s economy local businesses became infected by the same fear that gripped many international operations.

“I feel for other businesses they have lost some of their employees and other businesses temporarily closed down,” the C.E.O. said. 

“Negative thinking and fear of what COVID-19 might bring will disallow all of us from achieving what God has already planned for us.

“Negativity does not have a place at S.S.A.B. because it doesn’t exist at S.S.A.B.”

However, the S.S.A.B. C.E.O. stressed that she had continued to ask God for his favour and protection over the company.

“And God has not failed to open up more opportunities for the company.”

Amidst the global pandemic S.S.A.B. in fact expanded its product-lines to opportunities identified by Tofilau such as an embroidery and bag section, custom-sewn bags and customised bottles, screen printing and a new seamstress section.

She said that having a positive mindset is one of the values that she emphasises as part of S.S.A.B.'s culture and one that helps explain the company's growth.

S.S.A.B. is known for its charitable work.

During the Pinktober campaign, S.S.A.B. and Samoa International Finance Authority (S.I.F.A.) raised $34,000 for the Samoa Cancer Society.

Another achievement this year by the company was their partnership with the British High Commission which led to the opening of the God is Light library for the inmates at the Tanumalala Prisons. 

“My heart is for promoting literacy and education because I love reading and I believe in the power of having good reading skills and writing skills,” Tofilau said. 

She acknowledged the strong support from her husband Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai and her four sons.

Tofilau also thanked her mother who is her number one prayer-warrior Nino Stanley-Vito as well as Aumua’s parents Segi Leung Wai and Kuini Leung Wai for their prayers and support.

“I also want to thank: Va’asiliega Gaseimaninoa Pelenato, Pelemato and their family; Fuimaono Fritz Vito, Faletua Tualasea Serah and our SSAB Savaii store staff and all their families; Nancy Vito-Alefosio, Maiava Paul and their family; Manu Ken Saifoloi, Vanessa Stanley and their family; management and their families; S.S.A.B. family; my hard working staff and their families; and my C.E.O. champion team. 

“I also want to thank my beautiful cousin Melissa Stanley Van Horn (Managing Director of SSAB Sei Oriana), Walter Van Horn and Li’a for looking after our store in New Zealand especially at these unprecedented times.”

She also acknowledged the support from her niece, Maiava Jody Faalenuu Meleisea (Managing Director of GIAS) and her husband Fata Sam Meleisea (Tualauta rep in American Samoa’s House of Representatives), Lise Eves (Assistant Manager GIAs), Athena Meleisea and her beautiful grandmother.

“My sister Fuimaono Ata Toleafoa and her husband Toleafoa Kuka. Thank you GIAs Team in Pago for always looking out for me and S.S.A.B.

“I am grateful to my gorgeous sister Tofilau Jenny, her husband Lilomaiava Pupi and the amazing team at Mercy Shop for all the support the past years, my beautiful sister Lofi Leung Wai and the great team at Loralei Gift Shop as well as Ellie Moananu and the hardworking team at Connexions. My heart is full and I thank you sincerely for your support.

“To all the supporters and loyal customers of S.S.A.B., thank you so much for your support and patronage the past 13 years. We pray for the Lord’s blessings upon you all.”