Robbery Experience Inspires Prasad to Open Defence Tools Business
Swastika Shayal Prasad’s journey to owning a business of selling self defence tools all started with the horrible experience of being attacked and robbed.
“It was an unpleasant experience which I never want anyone else to experience,” Ms Prasad said.
In 2021, following the incident, the 30-year-old Project finance officer at Secretariat Pacific Community, started her business called Smart Equipped Tools, also known as S.E.T.
The robbery/attack incident
“It was one of the scariest days of my life. I was opening the gate and a robber came from behind and grabbed me and tried to cover my mouth; thank God for my quick thinking I tilted my head so my mouth was free.
“I screamed as loud as I could and luckily my sister and neighbors came running to my rescue. I did fall and got hurt while the attacker ran away.
“This incident really changed me and since then I’ve been saving up and thinking about how to start a business to help women and children to keep safe.”
Her business
Ms Prasad said the name of her business Smart Equipped Tools slogan “You’re set with S.E.T” signifies the safety of one.
Her products include a variety of selfdefense tools for both adults and children. She also sells portable door lock and stop alarms, portable fans and trolley bags.
“My product variety has indeed helped women; I got so many positive reviews it has been fulfilling to see my ladies being able to build that confidence.
“Most of my products are first in Fiji and it has been a little of a roller coaster to put my products out there to create awareness in the community.”
Ms Prasad has gained more than 2500 followers on her business’s Instagram and TikTok site in a year and is determined to get more variety of products for the safety of the communities.
“What starts from scratch is hard, but putting in the initiative and pushing through is important,” she said.
“I initially started with only about 15 adult safety key chains and today we have about 8 products and have grown so much since last year,” she said.
Smart Equipped Tool can be found on Instagram and TikTok and contacted through 9532152.
Her message is to always listen to your instincts, and if you feel like starting something, never be scared of failure.
“If you are thinking of doing something, just go for it, take the leap because no one is coming to do it for you, you are to take that step,” she said.
Background
Ms Prasad is from Tauvegavega, Ba. She graduated in Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Information system from the University of the South Pacific in 2016 and Post Graduate in Professional Accounting this year.
“I come from a middle-class family, my father is a mechanic and mother is a housewife. We found difficulties in making ends meet financially, especially with our studies from high school till university and the cost of our rent in Suva,” she said.
“Since childhood my parents always told me ‘no matter what you complete your studies and be independent, even if we fail, we are told to keep trying’.
“It was my dream to be successful in my career and also run a small community orientated business but I didn’t expect to achieve so much success so soon, I’m proud of who I am.”
Ms Prasad’s parents have been her biggest support in shaping her future.
She said despite her family’s struggles in the past, she chose to dream big and have faith in
God.