Sharma’s Love for Work Keeps Her on the Move
Adevoted wife and a businesswoman, these are the roles that Lalini Sharma takes seriously.
She is also a part-time mechanic to her husband and single-handedly runs her own motor vehicle part shop in Nawaicoba, Nadi.
Ms Sharma has used her experience and business acumen to provide a service in the motoring world.
To date, she is so proud to be owner of Custom Spare Parts (Fiji) where she does all of her company accounts, customer service, buying and overall managing the business.
Her passion as a wife, mother and businesswomen is powered by the eagerness and passion to learn in the man’s world.
“I think I’m the first part shop woman owner with mechanical knowledge which I have learnt from my partner,” she said.
Ms Sharma can even also change the wiper blades of vehicles.
Background
Ms Sharma, 38, is originally from Ba. She attended Namosau Methodist Primary School from Years One to Eight before she enrolled at Kamil Muslim College for Years Nine – 13.
She comes from an average family background where her dad, Chandrika Prasad Sharma, a Hindu pundit was the sole income earner in the family. Her mother, Lalita Devi always stood beside and advised her on what is wrong and right in life.
She had one sister and three brothers.
Her career journey
When she moved to Nadi in 2003 she pursued her career as a cashier at Tappoos and rose up the ranks.
She completed her degree in accounting and management from Fiji National University.
She has also done a fire training course and occupational safety and health (OHS). She has successfully completed a baking and pastries course with TPAF.
In 2008 she joined Chase Apparel until 2012.
Three years into her job she found better life when joining the tourism industry and started work as accounts personnel at various jobs.
These include from 2012 to 2014 at the Denarau Shuttle, 2014 - 2015 with Turtle Island Resort and then at Fish on Denarau from 2015 – 2019.
She was later promoted to be an accountant and after that to administrator manager.
“I have struggled a lot to be successful in life,” she said.
Things did change for the better in 2015 when she married Karan Kumar of Navo, Nadi, a successful mechanic by profession.
Later In 2019 they discussed opening a motor vehicle part shop with the vehicle and lubricants.
“We also do motor vehicles servicing mechanic works and panel beating. I’m still in business despite this pandemic,” she said.
“In today’s world I deal with car parts and lubricants. Almost all of my customers are male. I feel proud of myself for managing a part shop when I started in 2019 I had no knowledge of car parts, filters, and lubricants,” Ms Sharma said.
“Today, basically now the part numbers of the parts and in which vehicle which engine oil transmission oil and filters go. I even have knowledge of how a car is serviced
and how the spark plugs are changed.
“I have learned a lot of things about cars. My husband Karan Kumar who has also supported me helped me from 2015 when I was stuck with dealing in car parts.
“I have sacrificed and spent most of my time doing research to get knowledge of car parts. I have spared all my free time doing research for car parts lubricant.”
Ms Sharma wants to see herself in 10 years as a well-established business entity importing various parts, tyres and lubricants in the county.
“I have a dream to become a chartered accountant. Maybe my dream will be true within five years from now. All units I will be doing are accounting units,” she said.
“As a business we all strive with the objective of getting more customers in the shop. I would like to thank all my customers.
“Given the chance I want to see myself in Parliament as well.”
Furthermore, the couple are old school car lovers, brining to life some of the old signature vehicles which do not run on our roads these days.