Kumar Thankful For Govt Scheme In Saving His Shoe Shop Business
'Government stepped in just when I needed that boost and I am so thankful to them for thinking of us'
Continuing the family legacy and keeping his dad's business alive is what keeps Arvind Kumar grounded.
The 33-year-old manages Abhimanu's Shoe Repair shop in Ba town and is a recipient of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism's Small and Micro Business Grant after Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Mr Kumar inherited the business from his father.
“He was running this shop for 30 years and after that I took over. I have been managing it now for 10 years and I have not once regretted it,” he said.
“This place is always easily flooded. During TC Winston, the shop suffered greatly. I needed help urgently and this came through the grant. “Government stepped in just when I needed that boost and I am so thankful to them for thinking of us.
“If it wasn't for Government, I wouldn't know where I would be today. They stepped in just when I needed the boost because it's hard to recover when you lose everything in a flood or in this case the cyclone.
“These natural disasters deter your business. And already being a small business it can be crippling,” he said. With the grant, he was able to buy essentials that he needed.
“I bought rubber soles, zips for bag repairs, sewing threads and leather. With all that I was able to restart the business.”
On a good week, the hardworking man says that he usually makes $250.
“It fluctuates every now and then. But it's a good business and I am happy with what I have and where I am right now. “People who have been given the grant need to utilise it in the proper way. Use it where it's meant to be used,” he said.
If it wasn't for Government, I wouldn't know where I would be today. Arvind Kumar Businessman