Hobby turns to successful business
WHAT started off as a hobby has turned into a successful business venture for Felichya Kayes.
Mrs Kayes is the owner of Aroma Kitchen, a business that specialises in traditional and Indian style homemade chutney, pickles, and dips.
She hails from Vanua Levu and lives in Pacific Harbour with husband Stephen and their daughter Zoe.
Mrs Kayes, an entrepreneur and fulltime housewife, said she opened her business on January 8, 2019 and had been receiving positive feedback from the public about her products.
“All our products are 100 per cent vegan, gluten free and vegetarian,” she said.
“Our products are traditional Indian condiments that are made from 100 per cent locally grown organic fresh fruits and vegetables, mixed with traditional spices.
“These are wonderfully versatile ingredients to have in the kitchen.”
Mrs Kayes says their products go well with any dish and not just Indian dishes.
“Try any of our products as a condiment to cheese, crackers or vegetables, sauce for meat, seafood, or stirred into rice or pasta, added with sandwich, wrap and over ice cream. You’ll be blown away with the taste.”
Looking back she said the idea to start her own business emerged after they had difficulty purchasing gluten free products.
“My husband takes gluten free products and there weren’t many on the market to choose from. So, I started making dips and sauces for our every day use, which is gluten free and healthy at the same time and since then I never looked back.
“There is a lot of demand for vegan and gluten free products in today’s market as most of us are just trying to eat and live healthy.”
Mrs Kayes said the impact of COVID-19 on businesses had been bigger than any natural disaster.
She said like most businesses, income had dropped significantly and because of widespread unemployment, the road ahead did not look good.
Despite the challenges encountered she is grateful to still be able to put food on the table.
For those hoping to buy or find out more about this homemade chutney, dips and pickles you can check their Facebook page Aromakichenfiji or follow them on their Instagram page Aromakitchenfiji3.