Q&A with Telesia Macnamara - Pasifika Coaching Foundation

Personal Background and Journey

As a Pacific woman travelling with your husband and three young daughters, what motivated you to take on this international opportunity, and how has your family supported your journey?

Two key motivations for me to embrace this international opportunity are, firstly, my desire to grow both personally and professionally as a Pacific woman entrepreneur, and secondly, my family, to serve as a role model, particularly for my daughters, which is something I lacked growing up. My husband has been incredibly supportive of my endeavours, especially in terms of health and well-being. We are both fit and healthy, and he endorses the idea of travelling and participating in marathons or Ironman competitions abroad. Thus, when this chance arose, he registered for the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon and gave me his full support, sparing me the need for lengthy explanations. He completed the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon just three weeks after the Auckland Marathon. Regarding our daughters, they are somewhat young to grasp the concept, but I have discussed with them my work commitments and devised activities we can enjoy as a family. I am thankful for the select few in my circle who have backed me, my vision, and my clients who have pushed me to improve as a person and a coach. Thank you.

The Vietnam Experience

What were your first impressions of Vietnam, and how does it compare to your expectations?

My initial impression was that Vietnam was a safe and bustling city. The roads, especially with motorbikes swarming from every direction, seemed chaotic. However, after spending a few days in the city and deciding to commute by motorbike, I discovered the organised chaos and considerate nature of the drivers. Despite the apparent disorder, they know the importance of sharing the road. They don't resort to anger or shouting; instead, they're highly alert and communicate by honking. I found this approach both pleasant and fascinating.

How has being immersed in an emerging economy like Vietnam broadened your perspective on entrepreneurship and innovation?

I've come to realize that I'm in the right place at the right time. During the first week, we were immersed in Vietnamese culture across various industries, which offered me fresh perspectives on global networking and sparked innovative thinking for my business. At my host company, I have the privilege of leading a team on our project. This is significant for me as I usually work independently; thus, leading a team not only reveals the leader in me but also pushes me to the next level of entrepreneurship. It challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and harness my entrepreneurial spirit, such as confidently communicating project ideas to my project manager.

Are there any unique cultural insights or entrepreneurial practices in Vietnam that stood out to you and could inspire or influence Pacific entrepreneurs?

Two aspects that struck me about Vietnam are its workplace culture and the hardworking nature of its people. I observed more women than men, particularly the elderly who seem like they should be resting at home, still by the roadside selling food, never giving up, yet remaining joyful and smiling. This has inspired me to be thankful and to remember that we are all striving for better lives, regardless of our current circumstances. In every company I visited over the past week, I noticed that people and culture are the highest priority. They celebrate parents, family, teachers and honor traditional values, practices, and their ancestors for life's blessings. Their holistic approach in the workplace, such as practicing mindfulness with breathing exercises and walking during lunch breaks, helped me and my colleagues to acclimate comfortably.

Personal and Professional Growth

How has this experience challenged or expanded your thinking as an entrepreneur and a health coach?

Personally, contemplating the achievement of my dreams in the coming years is a challenge. This journey has instilled in me an entrepreneurship growth mindset, teaching me to be content with my current state while striving diligently for the upcoming year. Balancing work, family, and relationships is equally challenging. My relationships have taught me to prioritise my roles as a mother and a wife, for without my family, I might still be job hunting. Embracing my mistakes has been enlightening, allowing for genuine reflection. Considering my purpose and vision, I've realised that if not me, then who? The sacrifices and errors and the crucial lesson of thinking differently and persisting have greatly broadened my perspective. Professionally, I take pride in my progress. Networking and self-promotion have led to corporate and health organisations seeking out my health coaching services. Beyond that, I am thrilled with my progress so far, and this experience has fueled my passion to work even harder on my upcoming pre-diabetes project upon my return to Aotearoa, which is both thrilling and daunting

Balancing family life and professional growth is a unique dynamic. How has this program supported or shaped your journey as a mother and a businesswoman?

Apart from showing my age! Haha kidding! As I've mentioned earlier, balancing motherhood and being a businesswoman presents unique challenges, but I also see it as an opportunity for growth. This program helps foster that growth, and being surrounded by Great Pacific women entrepreneurs allows me to share my experiences and learn from others, with the goal of instilling a growth mindset.

Community and Connection

How do you think this internship and your exposure to Vietnam will benefit your local community and the Pacific diaspora when you return?

This internship has given me the confidence to develop a plan for my prediabetes project, which will have a significant impact on the Pacific community's health and wellbeing. I've begun documenting ideas and communicating with my local community centre to implement the project. I'm excited to apply the knowledge I've gained from Vietnam, particularly regarding food culture and practical approaches to addressing health issues affecting Pacific people. I believe in taking calculated risks and exploring new opportunities, as not trying at all means never knowing what could have been.

What role do initiatives like this play in strengthening ties between Pacific nations and countries like Vietnam?

This presents a great opportunity to expand our global network and build strong relationships, particularly in trade and enterprise while leveraging our shared cultural values and traditional practices to bring people together.

Reflections and Future Aspirations

What has been the most surprising or impactful moment of your experience so far?

Today at work was a surprise as I showcased my entrepreneurial spirit by sharing my idea for our project, which turned into a business opportunity for them and a valuable experience for me and my team. Our project involves creating a luxury wellness retreat for foreigners visiting Vietnam. Instead of conducting extensive research, I proposed that we participate in one of their retreats, which would allow me and my team, as well as my family, to travel to different parts of Vietnam, conduct research, and provide them with business opportunities while honing our entrepreneurial skills, such as negotiation and effective communication. To my surprise, he liked the idea and informed me that they would look into a travel package for next week. Although we don't know the cost yet, it's a great opportunity for us to practice our negotiation skills. I've assigned my team to handle the negotiation process. Sorry girls haha

Looking ahead, how do you plan to apply the insights and skills gained during this internship to your business and community?

This experience has already demonstrated that my vision for my business and community will continue to expand, fueled by my purpose of addressing health challenges in the Pacific community through innovative thinking and entrepreneurship. I intend to integrate the skills and insights gained into a premium program focused on Pacific health, which will include courses, workshops, and potentially a book. As the saying goes, 'a healthy person has many wishes, but an unhealthy person has only one: to be healthy.

What would you say to other Pacific women considering opportunities like this?

Before seizing an opportunity like this, please take a moment to appreciate your good fortune, then go for it and welcome both the familiar and the unknown. Malo