Terry Salote is hopeful business would improve despite the low sales she has been recording since she started in November 2021.
The single parent runs her own stall at the Handicraft Centre in Suva, jewellery sets, souvenirs and other handicraft items.
“I came in November and since November till today I never reached up to $100,” Ms Salote said.
“The border is open but you can’t really see any improvements because I think it may be because of this sickness.”
She said even though there were international visitors in the country it was not reflecting on her business.
The business owner took over from the former stall owner who shifted into the Suva Flea Market.
She said being a single mother was challenging as it was very hard to cope with the circumstances.
Even though the Christmas period brought in sales for some businesses it was not the same case for Ms Salote.
“From this business in a week sometimes I have nothing, even through this I just have my pay through my profit, through the profit from whatever I sell.”
She said last week she had just earned only $5 from Monday to Saturday.
“I just sold one bracelet, before last week it was just a necklace which was $10.”
These products were mostly brought by locals according to Ms Salote.
She added she was self-taught as making jewellery was her hobby.
“I learnt it by myself, I can see whatever they are doing and make it by myself.”
Ms Salote said she planned on running the business for as long as she could and she believed once everything normalised she would do well.
