Lusiana Dansey, a 51-year-old entrepreneur from Rewa with maternal connections to Kadavu, is cultivating her passion through a blossoming flower business. Within months of launching, she discovered her true calling in selling flower plants, but realizing the strong competition, she chose to innovate in order to differentiate herself in the market.
Harnessing her creativity, Ms. Dansey began crafting unique floral accessories, including flower tekiteki (floral hairpieces), leis, and decorated hair clips. “These unique creations allowed me to combine my love for flowers with artistry, attracting customers who appreciate my originality and craftsmanship while helping me carve a distinct identity in the competitive local flower market,” she shared.
Though new to the floral trade, Ms. Dansey is channeling a wealth of experience from her previous work in the tourism sector in Nadi, where traditional floral accessories were celebrated. Inspired by this backdrop, she started creating and selling tekiteki at local markets, finding initial success that encouraged her to explore additional floral products like side combs and hair clips.
Ms. Dansey aims to cater to a diverse student community at the University of the South Pacific (USP), many of whom wear traditional floral adornments. By participating in the ROC Market at USP, she has connected with students and broadened her customer reach. “Selling these flowers to the students at USP has been going quite well, as most of the island students are fond of wearing them,” she noted.
While she faces increasing competition, particularly at the FNPF Plaza in Suva where many women are offering similar floral items, Ms. Dansey is determined to maintain her unique presence. One challenge she encounters is sourcing distinctive hair clips and flower slides locally. As options are limited in Fiji, she is exploring international suppliers to find materials that set her apart.
Despite these challenges, Ms. Dansey is committed to growing her business. She plans to expand into new venues such as the Damodar Night Market, aiming to reach a broader audience and further showcase her creative floral offerings.
Transitioning from selling plants to developing vibrant floral accessories, Lusiana Dansey is not only embracing change but also firmly establishing her footprint in a competitive landscape. With her motto of “blooming—one flower at a time,” she is determined to bring beauty and joy into her customers’ lives, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of her homeland.