08/01/2025
"Thank you, CPL, for your continued support of Boss Crew PNG. Your invaluable mentoring is a game-changer for business owners like me, navigating the journey of entrepreneurship and growth. We truly appreciate your commitment to empowering local businesses!"
Meriba-May Igara is the founder of Boss Crew PNG, a business that brings Papua New Guinea’s unique wildlife to life through plush toys. The idea for Boss Crew PNG was sparked by the desire to design a plush toy inspired by the cuscus, an iconic animal of PNG. The aim was to create a product that both locals and tourists could enjoy, cherish, and share. The name "Boss Crew PNG" draws inspiration from the local PNG term "boss crew," which refers to the trusted companion of a bus driver. Similarly, her plush toys are crafted to be beloved companions for children and collectors, promoting a connection to PNG's wildlife.
Boss Crew PNG has since developed six distinct plush toy designs under its Poro Adventures range of PNG endangered animals, including the Kapul (Cuscus), Suna (Tree Kangaroo), Piku (Pig-nosed Turtle), Kumul (Bird of Paradise), and Muruk (Cassowary). A portion of the profit is donated to the Tenkile Conservation Alliance, an organization that supports the protection of the Tenkile tree kangaroos, a critically endangered species of tree kangaroo found in the Torricelli mountains of Sandaun Province. Suna is a representation of the Tenkile Tree Kangaroo. Meriba-May finds it deeply rewarding to see children, both local and abroad, enjoy these plush toys while contributing to a greater cause. The Poro Adventures range of PNG endangered animal plush toys was officially launched on City Pharmacy shelves on March 8, 2023, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
Meriba-May is now a participant in the CPL Foundation Inc. (CPLF) and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) Business Mentoring Program 2024, an initiative aimed at empowering women-led businesses in Papua New Guinea. As one of six mentees selected for this pilot program, she completed a four-day in-person training workshop with ABV business professional Zarah de la Cruz and is currently undergoing a six-month remote mentoring phase.
“The mentoring program has been transformational for me. I’ve gained clarity, confidence, and actionable skills to strengthen my marketing strategies and enhance my operations,” Meriba-May shared.
The CPLF-ABV Business Mentoring Program was co-developed to solely focus on women entrepreneurs in Papua New Guinea. With all six mentees now in their remote mentoring phase, the participants look forward to Zarah returning in April 2025 to conclude the program with another in-person engagement, marking the successful completion of this initiative.
Boss Crew PNG has since developed six distinct plush toy designs under its Poro Adventures range of PNG endangered animals, including the Kapul (Cuscus), Suna (Tree Kangaroo), Piku (Pig-nosed Turtle), Kumul (Bird of Paradise), and Muruk (Cassowary). A portion of the profit is donated to the Tenkile Conservation Alliance, an organization that supports the protection of the Tenkile tree kangaroos, a critically endangered species of tree kangaroo found in the Torricelli mountains of Sandaun Province. Suna is a representation of the Tenkile Tree Kangaroo. Meriba-May finds it deeply rewarding to see children, both local and abroad, enjoy these plush toys while contributing to a greater cause. The Poro Adventures range of PNG endangered animal plush toys was officially launched on City Pharmacy shelves on March 8, 2023, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
