Luisa Radovu, a single mother of four, has always been a provider for her family despite going through so much of life’s adversities.
From dropping out of school at year six to being disowned by her family after a disagreement during her early motherhood years and four failed marriages, she had fought her way through life just to be where she is today.
Ms Radovu worked as a house maid, a baker and also has multiple certificates in sailing after registering and paying for her own spot in Maritime studies. She had sailed and worked in many resorts during her younger days to make up for the struggles she had been through.
Today, 55year-old Ms Radovu lives in a settlement at Wailoku running a canteen business that she opened in 2017 and it provides convenience to nearby residents.
Whenever she can, she sells food parcels and pastries at the Suva market.
“I only reached class six in education, but I managed to make it to Fiji National University for maritime studies. I signed myself up and paid for my own fees to study sailing where I graduated with five certificates,” Ms Radovu said.
“But before all that I made a living from being a house girl, I also worked in cafes and restaurants by cooking and baking.”
Ms Radovu was also a participant in the Start Improve Your Business (SIYB) training conducted by the Ministry of Trade.
“To be very honest, there were times where I had lost hope in my business, there were times where it just got so hard, I couldn’t handle the pressure anymore,” she said.
“But the training that I went through gave me hope and confidence that I can progress and perform in my business.
“It also taught me how to provide better customer service for my customers.”
Ms Radovu plans to expand her business further and maybe one day open a bigger shop that is accessible to those in her community.
She currently awaits her government grant from the training she attended to boost her financially and move her business to new heights.
