Take advantage of Govt loan to grow your business
“IFULLY support the Fiji Government for assisting Fijians to continue or start with their business.” This was relayed by a 63-year-old, Kata Bogiono, who was the recipient of the COVID-19 Concessional Loan Package for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and runs a handicraft business at the Suva Handicraft Centre.
Originally from Udu point in Vanua Levu, Mr Bogiono, moved to Suva in 1994 and after leaving his job at Goodman Fielder due to health issues, he got into the handicraft business in 2008.
“I love fishing as I was raised near the sea and choosing to get into the business of handicraft was a tough start as no one taught me how to do this,” he explained.
“I believe that this is the gift that God has given me as I envisioned it and I started doing it. I do carving and have my own carving tools while my wife also does weaving and engraving at the shop.”
“I have had this business for the past 16 years and the best thing I did was invest for my children for their education and future,” Mr Bogiono added.
He highlighted that the challenge experienced by him in the business was competition from bigger players in the market who were not in the same business when he started.
“They started here about five-years-ago to buy handicrafts wholesale from us every three months – we are the distributors to them,” he relayed.
“All these big companies like Jacks, Tappoos and Motibhai started from here but they don’t buy from us anymore except for Tappoos but they do it every eight months now,” he said.
“Our business here is supported by locals as they are the ones who usually buy from us. Tourists do not buy from us as they are advised not to buy handicrafts as the law for quarantine is
very strict.”
“I applied for the Government loan because business was very tough due to all the competition that we were facing from other companies that we were even struggling to pay rent,” Mr Boginono added.
He said that he made two attempts to sell this business and go back to the village to do farming but was advised by some senior and mature people against it and he realised they were right as he is his own boss.
Mr Boginono received $2,000 in loan which was a big advantage for his business as he was able to buy more stock from it and stabilise the business.
“Some of the items sold in my shop is maqimaqi (strings made from coconut husk), Kuta, tapa, tanoa, frames, mats, bags, souvenirs and personalised engraving,” he said.
“Those who wish to get into business should not be scared of taking a loan because when you have a dream of doing something then go for it and achieve it. We are a living example of someone who took out a loan and is still running a business.”
“In this business you have to be very patient as sometimes we don’t make any money for three days because nearly everyone sells the same thing and the only difference is the prices so we keep it low to be able to sell our products,” Mr Boginono added.
He believes that itis important to have the support of one’s life partner and family as his wife motivates him to keep working hard and never give up.
“I enjoy what I do and as long as my legs are taking me places, I can still run and play rugby,” he said.
“For the budding entrepreneurs, I would advise them to work with passion, have a good heart and be content with whatever income you generate in a day.”
“My wife and I are thinking of starting a fish business where we will sell targeted bundled fish because sometimes in our handicraft business, we get $3 in a day but on a good day I can get $500,” he added.