Stall owner dreams big in small town
Fiji Times, Fiji
Akisi Bolalailai’s business is the only one of it’s kind in Korovou and she is determined to see it expand.
Akisi’s handicraft stall at the Korovou market cannot be missed because it is the only one in the small town.
Akisi said she saw the need to have a handicraft stall because there was none in the area.
“I know there is a demand for handicrafts so I thought of renting a space in the market to sell my wares,” she said
The mother of three said after spending all her years at home, operating a business was new for her.
“Korovou is a place which most people, who are either travelling to the West, North or even to Lomaiviti, use as a stopover. At the moment there are tourist buses that stop over and I do make business,” she said with a smile.
Akisi got the idea of a handicraft stall after visiting the Flea Market in Suva. “I was walking around the flea market and I thought that it would be good idea to sell some of those things in Korovou.
“I bought a few bags and tried it out. It sold like hot cakes so I began to buy more as well as other handicrafts.”
Akisi said people in the area had commended her for bringing something totally new into the market. Her table is decked out with shells, necklaces, anklets and arm bands made from traditional items such as magimagi and masi.
Akisi also sells flowers, which are neatly arranged.
“These flowers could be used as wreaths or a decoration in homes and churches,” she said.
Akisi is enjoying herself with her new business but her hope is that one day Korovou Town would have it’s own craft centre.
“At the moment I have to set up everything in the morning and later take it down in the afternoon in case it rains,” she said.