Sereana Taleitaki “Talei” Sokoiwasa may have had a “tough life” growing up without parents in Veidogo, one of Vatuwaqa’s well-known informal settlements but it did little to discourage her from turning challenges into opportunities.
With $35,000 from her own savings, Ms Sokoiwasa bought equipment for her own hair salon – Soko Beauty & Netcafe – which opened last week at its new location at Carpenters’ Building opposite the Suva municipal market, offering hair extension services.
“That was money I saved on my own, I struggled for it. I applied for loan but no bank would give me any loan,” the Matuku island singer/songwriter/businesswoman smiled, recalling her journey.
“I grew up with my grandmother and only met my father when I was 30, so it has been a tough life. I grew up poor and didn’t complete high school because my family couldn’t afford to pay my school fees,” said the 32-year-old.
“Thankfully, I had my mother’s relatives who have been very supportive of me.”
Growing up, the “Wainimata” singer dreamt of either joining the police force or the military but life took her down a different road when, as a young mother, she had to put food on the table for her children.
Ms Sokoiwasa started off selling food from home before discovering an interest in hair braiding, which she further developed through an American friend she met here.
“When she was in Fiji, she taught me how to do her hair and that’s where I learned to do hair extensions. I was operating out of the Flea Market at the time, renting space with other hair stylists. After two years there, my friend motivated me to come over to America to see what is there so I can bring it back here to Fiji. So I went there and learned,” she said.
Ms Sokoiwasa moved to her current location after three years at the Suva Flea Market and she has plans to expand her business to the West and the Northern divisions, as customers there would make their way to Suva to access her services.
Soko Beauty & Netcafe currently employs four braiders and was opened at its new location by Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya.
“I know and I have seen how hard she has worked,” said Ms Tabuya of Ms Sokoiwasa.
“For those of you who have worked with her and around her, she’s that kind of woman who never gives up.
“She’s always going, she’s always striving, regardless of the challenges that she’s come through. This is what women economic empowerment is about. It’s one of the very important aims and visions of the Ministry of Women, which is to empower women economically. It’s a special day for me and also all the women of Fiji because all women deserves to look beautiful.
“One day I’d like to see that women are acknowledged as the backbone of our economy because we drive the economy. We really are the engine of the economy,” Ms Tabuya added.
Ms Sokoiwasa urged women wishing to go into business not to be easily discouraged.
“Keep on doing it until you reach it. The more challenges or hardships that come, the more you have to persevere. It’s perseverance that will lift you over your mountain of challenges,” she said.
