Leaving a stable job as a dental assistant to pursue her passion for baking was a leap of faith for Natasha Sivo, but she says it has given her the flexibility to support her family while building a successful business from home.
The 29-year-old owner of Natasha's Investment told fijivillage News that she worked as a dental assistant for almost seven years while selling food packs on the side before realising that the income from her side business was higher than what she earned in her regular job.
INSERT: Sivo on business 24th July
Sivo, who has family connections to Taveuni, Bua and Savusavu, says her business offers a wide range of products, including custom cakes, cupcakes, pastries, pies, brownies, food packs and barbecue packs.
She also runs pop-up stalls during market days and provides catering for weddings, birthdays, engagements and other special occasions.
While the business has continued to grow, Sivo says balancing work and family remains one of her biggest challenges.
She says being a full-time mother to three children requires careful time management, while sourcing baking ingredients can also be difficult.
She also says Fiji's hot climate presents challenges when decorating cakes, requiring her to use more expensive ingredients to maintain the quality of her products.
She adds that she mainly promotes her business through Facebook, Instagram and word-of-mouth recommendations from family, friends and satisfied customers.
Despite increasing competition, Sivo says she does not see other businesses as a threat.
She says competition motivates her to improve and grow.
When asked whether she regrets leaving her career as a dental assistant, Sivo says she has no regrets.
She admits some relatives questioned her decision to leave a secure job, but says starting her own business has allowed her to work flexibly and put food on the table.
She says rather than working a nine-to-five job and leaving her children in someone else's care, she now has the opportunity to raise them while earning an income.
While encouraging other women and aspiring entrepreneurs, Sivo says people should not be afraid to pursue their business dreams.
She says there is strong support available through government programmes and other financial institutions to help women entrepreneurs and other MSMEs succeed.
Sivo is urging aspiring business owners to formally register their businesses, become tax compliant and take advantage of training programmes that help them develop financial management skills and grow sustainable businesses.
Meanwhile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were celebrated for their contribution to Fiji's economy, with 252 businesses recognised by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service for their commitment to business development, tax compliance and continuous learning during the celebration of MSME Day in Suva last week.
Among them, 39 MSMEs successfully completed a comprehensive three-year training and coaching programme, graduating as independent businesses that are fully compliant with tax and customs requirements.
The event also saw the launch of the MSME Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide and MSME Newsletter, two new FRCS resources aimed at making tax compliance and business management easier for small businesses across Fiji.
Speaking at the launch, FRCS Director of Taxation Momina Beg highlighted that FRCS recognised that to help Fiji grow, it could not remain in its offices enforcing rules but instead needed to become a partner to businesses.
Beg says the new publications were developed after listening to the concerns of MSMEs, many of whom had questions about taxation and business obligations but struggled to find answers outside office hours.
She says the FAQ guide provides step-by-step information on registering a business, understanding tax obligations, filing tax returns, bookkeeping requirements, VAT registration, PAYE registration and income tax obligations.
She adds the newsletter will keep MSMEs informed on key guidelines, including information for produce suppliers and middlemen in local supply chains, while providing updates on business and tax matters.
