Vakarusaqoli overcomes challenges and competition from other businesses

60-year-old Naomi Vakarusaqoli had it tough with the struggles of competing for sales for her catering business.

Vakarusaqoli says with the competition being tough for her to maintain sales she had to drop the prices because customers would go for cheaper caterers.

The owner of Smileys Catering adds it was difficult for her to travel from one venue to another as she did not have a vehicle however, her husband eased her problem in 2015 after he purchased a car for her catering business.

She says despite the challenges, her passion for catering grew when people started having an interest in her work which motivated her.

Vakarusaqoli was selling jam, fruit juice, pudding and dalo at the Courts Sisters in Business Fair with the help of South Pacific Business Development at the Vodafone Arena.

She says jam is her best-selling item.