When the COVID-19 pandemic brought financial uncertainty to many families, Vintika decided to turn her passion for candle-making into a way of supporting her household.
Two years later, that decision has grown into a small business producing handmade scented candles for home décor, gifts, weddings and birthdays.
Vintika says she wanted to create something different that was not widely available in Fiji while giving people the opportunity to buy locally made scented candles.
She says building the business has not been easy, with most of the materials needed to make the candles having to be imported because they are not available locally.
Vintika says import duties and the cost of bringing in supplies make it difficult for small businesses to keep their products affordable.
Insert:Vintika on import duties
She is calling on the Government to consider reducing import duties on materials used by small businesses, to help local entrepreneurs grow and make their products more affordable for customers.
Vintika credits her family and friends for helping her along the way, saying their support through social media promotion, word of mouth and assistance during market days has been key to growing the business.
