In the bustling Lautoka Municipal Market, Takelo Sorovou has emerged as a successful entrepreneur, operating a thriving stall filled with dalo and kumala. His journey began in 2019, a time when the global pandemic and ensuing lockdowns profoundly impacted the livelihoods of many.
Mr. Sorovou recounts how dire circumstances propelled him into entrepreneurship. “I started during Covid in 2019 when there was a lockdown in the city. With the city shut down, employment vanished, and financial stability dissolved. I had a lot of financial problems. I couldn’t get a job. I couldn’t get insurance. I was in lockdown,” he recalled, reflecting on the significant obstacles he faced.
In an effort to support his family amidst uncertainty, Mr. Sorovou took the plunge into business. “We had to come out and do something. That’s why I came to start up,” he shared. With limited resources, he launched his stall with just a small bag of cassava.
The path to establishing his business was fraught with challenges. The high operational costs during the pandemic required him to carefully manage his resources. “During Covid, it was very expensive, maybe $120, $150, and you had to make do with what you could do to get a profit,” he mentioned.
What started as a temporary endeavor transformed into a burgeoning operation as he built valuable connections in the market. “I came here and met some new friends. They taught me how to navigate business in the market, because business in the market is different from other businesses. So, I learned from them and now I’m enjoying it,” he explained.
Over time, his modest venture has significantly expanded. “I started with only one bag of cassava when I came here. That’s the only thing I could afford. But now you can see, I’ve got more stalls here,” he stated with pride.
The market dynamics have shifted, too. “Before, we used to have seasons—good season, low season—but now a lot of functions are happening. Every weekend, there’s a function, so people come in and buy dalo and kumala. There’s a feast every day,” he described, emphasizing that sales peak around the holidays when customers seek festive goods.
Beyond financial reward, Mr. Sorovou values the ability to cultivate a loyal customer base and manage his own schedule. “One good thing is I’m starting to bring in my customers. When they want dalo, they call me. If they want cassava or kumala, they come here,” he noted.
For other aspiring vendors, he stresses the importance of patience. “One of the things I learned here is patience. When you stay here, you’re patient. You won’t get $100 or $200 every day in sales. Sometimes you’ll get more, sometimes less. But if you have patience and build up your customers, you’ll have no problem,” he advised.
Support from his family has played a vital role in his success. “I have my family too. My brothers and sisters support me. They work overseas, buy from me, and send it to their friends,” he shared.
He takes immense pride in the flexibility his business affords him as a parent. With children in university, being his own boss allows him to be present for important family moments. “I can look after my children. I don’t need to ask for a bus to give me permission to go and see them in school. Whenever the teachers call or the school needs me, I’m there,” he revealed.
Together with his wife, who works for the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, they now enjoy a stable household income. “We might say we’re our own boss, but we have to really work hard. Every morning I wake up; sometimes at 2 am or 3 am I off-load my dalo here. You might make some sacrifices, but the reward is sweet,” he concluded, exemplifying the resilience and determination that many small business owners embody today.