<p><strong>Rona Conn</strong>, founder of <strong>Otherdots</strong>, is transforming Pacific agriculture and trade by connecting Indigenous producers to global markets.</p><p>Rona’s story is deeply personal. She comes from a legacy of agricultural and community empowerment in Papua New Guinea, and she’s carried that forward—building sustainable businesses, focusing on trade-led economic growth over traditional aid.</p><p>She’s bridging food security and economic gaps, joined by alliance partners creating a win-win for all, which means community-driven solutions to empower thousands of families. A solution that can be scaled which is the next step. She built all this with no investment, no debt and almost no tech.</p><p></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/2ZkECviKTJY?si=NCDqXjddEpqGQP6p"><strong>Live episode</strong></a><strong> on youtube</strong></p><p><strong>Contact Rhona:</strong></p><p>Rhona on <a target="_blank" href="https://pg.linkedin.com/in/rhona-conn-6252a17a">Linkedin</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://otherdots.world/">Otherdots</a> website</p><p></p><p><strong>Maria</strong></p><p>Linkedin: <a target="_blank" href="https://go.ggutt.com/maria-linkedin">https://go.ggutt.com/maria-linkedin</a>TikTok: <a target="_blank" href="http://go.ggutt.com/tiktok">go.ggutt.com/tiktok</a>YouTube: <a target="_blank" href="http://go.ggutt.com/videos">http://go.ggutt.com/videos</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><p>* Rhona Conn's journey is rooted in her legacy of agriculture and community empowerment.</p><p>* Milne Bay Organics was created to utilize unused fertile land in Papua New Guinea.</p><p>* The importance of educating farmers about the value of their resources.</p><p>* Community collaboration is essential for economic growth and sustainability.</p><p>* The shift from aid to trade requires a change in mindset among local communities.</p><p>* Building alliances among local producers can lead to shared success.</p><p>* Technology can play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural practices.</p><p>* The need for traceability in food production to ensure fair pricing.</p><p>* Rhona's approach emphasizes the importance of community trust and relationships.</p><p>* The journey of transforming local economies is a long-term commitment. Cultural understanding is crucial for business success.</p><p>* Growth can lead to bottlenecks that need addressing.</p><p>* Connecting markets to farmers is essential for sustainability.</p><p>* Technology can bridge gaps in supply chains.</p><p>* There is significant demand for agricultural products globally.</p><p>* Infrastructure challenges hinder supply chain efficiency.</p><p>* Empowering local communities leads to better outcomes.</p><p>* Building trust takes time and effort.</p><p>* The journey of establishing a business is often fraught with challenges.</p><p>* External partnerships are necessary for scaling operations. Creating strong alliances is crucial for overcoming competition.</p><p>* Evolving towards a profitable business model ensures sustainability.</p><p>* Data collection is essential for guiding development efforts.</p><p>* Local knowledge is vital for effective policy-making.</p><p>* Quality control is key to maintaining market trust.</p><p>* Balancing profit and purpose is necessary for long-term success.</p><p>* Experience in the field leads to better business decisions.</p><p>* Economic opportunities can significantly reduce crime rates.</p><p>* Empowering local communities fosters independence and self-sufficiency.</p><p>* Technology can enhance supply chain efficiency and scalability.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://ggutt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">ggutt.substack.com</a>