Don’t stop, never give up and always believe in yourself - Malumuvatu

One should not stop, never give up and must always believe in themselves.

This was the message by Ana Geli Malumuvatu, the founder of Kavalicious Taveuni in Martintar, Nadi.

Malumuvatu who runs a kava business says she diversifies her business into value-adding products including kava powder, kava cookies, kava soap, kava moisturizer and kava dishwashing soaps.

She says her hardships in life is what motivated her to start her own business as her parents had to travel to Labasa or Suva and stay for weeks to sell their products.

The founder says she then thought of changing the mindset to try and find accessible markets for the farmers.

Malumuvatu has been in the industry for 2 years and she is currently supporting 200 farmers in the community.

She says most of her struggles was not getting paid when sending products overseas.

The founder says they are now dealing with Investment Fiji to overcome these challenges through an agreement. They also have two kava bars in Nadi and a farm in Taveuni. The 40-year-old says right now she only buys kava from Taveuni however, they are looking at buying it from other parts of Fiji as well.