Running her own business
FROM cook to market vendor, Savita Devi says she has never been happier with being her own boss for two years now.
The 46 year old from Waila, Nausori sells all kinds of produce from bhindi (okra), eggplants, cabbages, ginger and guavas to name a few.
Her market stall of three tables is located inside the Nausori Municipal market.
"I used to work as a cook at a restaurant for five years until I started to get peaky then I thought why not start my own small business?," said Mrs Devi.
"Being my own boss gives me so much freedom to do other things in between and if I want to start late or leave the market early for home — it’s up to me. Before I come to the market, I get a few things sorted at home first for my husband and son. Market vending isn't our only source of income, my husband is a truck driver for a company and my son is a student at the Fiji School of Medicine (FSM)."
Like any other business, Mrs Devi says sometimes she makes a good profit, sometimes she doesn't and other days she takes home absolutely nothing.
"That's how it is here at the market," she said.
"I'm here six days a week, I start 7am and sometimes finish at 5pm or 6pm — it all depends on how fast my produce sells. In one day, I pay $1.25 for one table, so that's a total of $3.75 a day. Some of my produce are bought from middlemen as far as the West, Tailevu and others I just gather from our garden at home. During
school holidays, business is slack but during the festive seasons like Christmas, its always a busy period — business becomes really good. On a good day I could rake in more than $100 - that money is used to pay for my tables, buy more fresh vegetables and grocery shop for my family."
A bag of guavas adds Mrs
Devi is bought at the price of $90.
"I bought these guava's from a farmer in Tailevu and sell them according to their sizes — prices range from $2 to $4," she says.
"Guavas have a lot of health benefits and they are much affordable at the markets compared to the supermarkets."