Meli Rokotakala, who has spent 20 years in the tourism sector, found his true calling amid the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he left his job in Nadi and returned to his hometown of Nabalebale Village in Cakaudrove, where he took the time to reflect and discover his innate talents.
While enjoying the peace of his backyard garden, Meli developed a passion for the vibrant beauty of flowers. This love for horticulture inspired him to create decorative arrangements for homes, transforming what began as a hobby into a flourishing business. Drawing on his extensive experience with South Sea Cruises, Fiji Club, and Tuitai Adventure Cruises, Meli launched his own endeavor named Meli’s Artfeast Investment.
Since starting his business, Meli has gained recognition as a leading event decorator in Savusavu and Labasa, enhancing a variety of events such as birthdays, funerals, weddings, corporate functions, and religious ceremonies. Known for his perfectionist approach, he carefully selects flowers from his garden to craft arrangements that showcase his artistic sense of color and design. His endeavors have also driven him to open a savings account with the BSP branch in Savusavu, a crucial step toward financial independence.
Meli embraced an opportunity to enhance his skills by participating in a three-day workshop organized by BSP in collaboration with Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) under the THRIVE programme. THRIVE, which stands for “Together, Helping to build a Resilient, Inclusive, and Vibrant Economy,” aims to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary skills for effective business management. Meli understood the significance of properly running a business, recognizing that success is founded on more than just passion; it also requires a solid grasp of financial management.
Reflecting on his journey, Meli noted, “Not everyone is destined for blue- or white-collar jobs.” He believes that many young people have great potential as entrepreneurs and need appropriate support to nurture that potential. Being the eldest of four siblings and an alumnus of Savusavu Secondary School, Meli urges the importance of pursuing careers that inspire happiness. He remarked, “Many people are unhappy in their jobs but continue for the sake of their families. It’s vital to find out what makes you truly happy and pursue it.”
Meli expressed gratitude to BSP and ABV for the opportunity to attend the transformative workshop in Labasa. He encourages young individuals to identify their unique talents and to actively contribute to their communities rather than merely following the crowd.
The Fiji THRIVE programme emerged from the “Your Enterprise Scheme” (YES) initiated at BSP headquarters in Papua New Guinea in 2019. In partnership with ABV, this programme was developed to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in PNG through essential knowledge and resources. BSP Fiji adopted and customized the programme to better serve the local market, renaming it THRIVE to reflect its mission of fostering a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant economy.