Ruining a small business today in PNG

By Mathew Minape

"10t FACE, SAIKO BLO MONEY, YU LAIK KAMAP ELON MUSK OH" ARE INSULTS DRESSED IN SARCASM: STAY AWAY FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO HAVE MONEY PROBLEMS WHEN RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS

These phrases—"10t face," "saiko blo money," and "yu laik kamap Elon Musk oh"—are sharp Tok Pisin insults often used in Papua New Guinea to cut down someone's ambitions, appearance, or financial status.When you are trying to build or run a small business, navigating financial relationships with close family and friends can be incredibly risky.

Why Separating Business from Family/Friends is Crucial Sarcasm and Jealousy: Phrases like "yu laik kamap Elon Musk oh" (Oh, you want to be like Elon Musk?) are classic examples of "tall poppy syndrome." Instead of supporting your drive to succeed, people may use sarcasm to make you feel guilty for trying to build wealth or improve your life.

The "Wantok" System Pressure: In PNG culture, the wantok system creates strong obligations to help family and community members. However, when running a business, mixing these obligations with your cash flow can destroy your capital. Friends or relatives might expect free goods, unpaid favors, or "loans" they never intend to pay back.

Entlement and Disrespect: Labeling someone as having a "10t face" or being a "saiko blo money" (crazy for money) is a way to guilt-trip you. It implies you care more about money than relationships. In reality, protecting your business's money is just basic survival, not greed.

How to Protect Your Business:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: 

Make it a strict rule that business assets and personal favors do not mix. If family members want your product or service, they should pay full price to support your growth.

2. Keep Your Finances Secret: Do not discuss your business earnings, profits, or financial troubles with envious or constantly struggling friends and relatives.

3. Learn to Say No: Practice saying no firmly but politely. You can say, "The business accounts are locked for expenses only, so I cannot withdraw cash for personal favors."

Building a business requires discipline, and sometimes the hardest part of that discipline is protecting your hard-earned money from the people closest to you.