$1000 Grows Into Thriving Business
Three months ago, Sera Ledua left her housekeeper job after 10 years to concentrate on her handicraft business.
The decision has paid dividends because she has seen the growth in the business, so much so that the return on her initial investment of $1000 has been seven-fold.
Ms Ledua, 46, told the Fiji Sun that she never regretted the decision to quit her job because she has watched her business booming.
She operates her business from her home at Vesivesi Road in Kinoya, Nasinu.
She makes garlands (salusalu), traditional wedding attire, Masi, floral arrangements, bouquets, mats and her prices range from $60 to more than $200. In 2017 Ms Ledua was given a grant of $1000 through the Micro and Small Business Grant (MSBG).
She used the money to expand her business and was forever grateful to the Government for this initiative.
Ms Ledua made her submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday, along with two other grant recipients, sharing her success story, which impressed committee members.
“I was working as a housekeeper at an apartment in Suva for 10 years and normally
when I get home I then work on my handicraft,” she said.
“At one point it was too much for me to handle because my business orders kept coming, so I decided to resign and focus on my business alone.”
She markets her products on her social media page, named Salusalu Creation. “I get most of my orders from my Facebook page. My customers normally come home for pick-ups.”
Her customers come from all walks of life, including Government and members of the public.
It was a moment of pride for her when her garlands were worn by the Prime Minister and the Chinese ambassador to Fiji at last weekend’s 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China celebrations held in Suva. Ms Ledua also invests in a moneylending business, which started three months ago.
With an investment of $1000, she has now saved $3000 with another $4000 in principal.
Ms Ledua encourages other Fijian women to believe in themselves and work towards their goals. Standing Committee on Economic Affairs chair Vijay Nath encouraged Ms Ledua and other grant recipients to share their stories to inspire others.