Employment
ORIGINALLY from Korotolu Village in Moce, Lau, Kesaia Vakaola makes and sells masi (tapa) for a living. She lives in Khalsa Rd, Nasinu with her husband.
Before she opened a stall at the Suva Flea Market, Ms Vakaola was based at home taking orders from her clients.
The 56-year-old would travel to places as far as Ba, Yasawa and areas in the west to get materials to make masi.
She said that on these trips she would strip the bark from the masi plant herself to begin the process of making tapa.
“I would strip it myself from the plant and get it ready for all the process that follows before having it printed.”
Ms Vakaola extended her business by opening a stall at the Suva Flea Market last September.
When the stall opened, she started with just three masi suits for kids selling at $60 each. She then started buying and selling mats to make a profit.
“I started with just three masi suits and now I have extended the business to sell Fijian artifacts of all sorts,” she said.
Ms Vakaola sells locally made fans, baskets, magimagi, bags, wreaths, mats, wedding attires and just recently she started making garlands (salusalu) too.
Her items range from $10 to $250. In a good week she could make up to $500.
Ms Vakaola said her income supplements her husband’s income meet their daily financial commitments. “With my income, I try my best to help my husband out in any way I can,” she said.
Some of the challenges she faces included barganing clients who reduced her profit margin.
“When customers bargain further for discounts it really affects my business but one way or another I always manage to balance it out, and still make enough profit,” she said.
Ms Vakaola urges women to get out of their comfort zones to earn an income to help their families.
“We all have different talents, some of us are good at creating things with our hands, and we should find that niche,” she said.
She encourages women to try new things with the resources around them.
To share employment success stories please email: vraicola@fijitimes.com.fj for contacts:
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