A local entrepreneur is emphasizing the potential for growth in handmade businesses despite the challenges faced. Iowana Salusalu, who operates her craft business called Wananavu Earrings, shared her insights on sustaining operations through artisanship.
Hailing from Qelekuro, Tailevu, she manages this venture alongside her six children. Situated near a coastal area in Natovi, her business is a prominent feature of the local landscape. Over the past 20 years, Salusalu has gained experience working in various hotels, including Shangri-La. Following the onset of COVID-19, she realized the importance of establishing her own business from home.
Salusalu began developing her business in 2019 and has been dedicated to crafting her products, seeking to elevate local entrepreneurship by providing valuable skills to her community. She sources materials locally, including shell and wood, to create her jewelry items.
Currently, she is also collaborating with her daughter on this business, which has been thriving through strategic marketing efforts aimed at expanding their customer reach. Residents often visit her shop to appreciate the beauty of the items on display and explore the unique offerings.
She mentioned, “If we make $2 a day, that means we are on the right track and can achieve much more within a week.”
Salusalu’s products range from $2 to $4, with special sets priced up to $55. She aims for daily earnings between $200 and $400, contributing positively to her family and strengthening her business’s foundation.
Her enterprise not only benefits her financially but also serves as a learning opportunity for her children who are currently training in the craft. Salusalu encourages locals to persistently push forward in their business endeavors, emphasizing the necessity of an unwavering commitment to achieving personal and professional goals.