Super mum strives on for family
Priti Lata is a multitasker who manages a small home-based catering and baking business, a preschool and day care center while studying and looking after her family.
Two years ago, she had opened her preschool and day care center which took in six children for preschool classes. Now her preschool is growing as more children are getting enrolled.
Ms Lata, a mother of three, lives in Nakasi and she looks after her children and sickly father-in law while trying to operate her small business.
“So, I opened the day care center so I could have everything at one location which would make things much easier for me,” she added.
She said being a mother and also looking after the children in her preschool was something she enjoyed.
“I feel satisfied that my children are growing up. Every time I’m around them, I enjoy every moment together,” she said.
“My preschool and daycare center gives my children time to study and at the same time spend quality time together with warm meals.”
Ms Lata worked for the Ministry of Education in 2014 but left her job to look after her youngest son who was going to start kindergarten.
Once her son started into primary school, Ms Lata started studying at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre in 2019.
She studied cooking and baking at the vocational to gain the necessary cooking skills and certification.
She also pursued her Diploma in Early Child Care & Education on the same year.
Business background
Years earlier, Ms Lata operated a shop called Pritis Fashion Wear in a shopping plaza along the Laucala Beach Estate from 1997 to 2017.
She spent her teenage and adult life in the shop with my parents.
“I was making Indian sweets and taking orders for birthday cakes and all. So, one day my husband asked me if I wanted to undergo some cooking training and get certified to help grow the business. So that is why I went on to study at the vocational centre,” she said.
She said being a mother had brought the best out of her which also motivated her to startup of a business.
“I also participated in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) which was organised by the United States of America embassy to Fiji. The programne was for seven months, I learnt so much about being a women entrepreneur which has given me some ideas about running my small business. I graduated from the training in March this year,” said Mrs Lata.
While juggling her business, family and study came with a lot of challenges, Ms Lata said she was fortunate to have entire support from her family.
“I believe Mother’s Day should not be just a one-day occasion, we should make our mum’s proud every day and share the warmth and love they have for us. In our culture we say if there’s heaven then it is right underneath mums’ feet,” she said.
“Family member’s contribution plays a very vital role in any business. If family members contribute and support, then the victory is yours. My children, husband and my mother always support me.”