KELEPI Stark is one of the few young entrepreneurs who turned ambition into action through the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) and Fiji Commerce Employers Federation (FCEF) pilot training program aimed at helping university graduates kick-start their business ventures.
After successfully completing the program, Stark was awarded a grant of $5000 — an amount that was significant to breathing life into his home-based venture, ‘Stark’s Catering’.
Today, the 22-year old Yasawa native operates his small business from home in Suva with a renewed sense of purpose, using not only the financial support but the knowledge and skills acquired from the training to navigate the early challenges of his entrepreneurship journey.
His journey begins with modest aspirations: to find a phone capable of taking high-quality photos for marketing his food online.
“Obviously, I’m not buying the iPhone 17,” Stark joked.
Instead, he chose to invest in tools that would serve his business without overspending, reflecting the grounded mentality that has guided much of his early entrepreneurial path.
When asked about his progress balancing business, work and studies, he shared that things started off smoothly.
Enrolled in two academic units at the University of the South Pacific (USP), he found the flexibility to manage both class-work and business coaching sessions. However, midway through the program, things became more challenging, which forced him to take on a part-time job as a tutor at USP, a decision driven by necessity but one that limited his availability for workshops and coaching.
Despite this, Mr Stark never lost sight of his goals.
“Even though I was constrained in terms of my availability, it didn’t take away the passion to continue business,” he said in an interview with The Fiji Times.
Detailing the drive in his passion for education and business he said many might find the juggling act overwhelming but it’s clear that it was all temporary.
“I am a peer tutor in school while being a student and entrepreneur and right now, I cannot leave this job for the business yet, because it’s still sustaining me. But hopefully, if the business grows, I’ll focus on it full-time,” he said.
As a home-based business, Stark’s Catering is built on passion and community connections.
While it may not strike outsiders as ‘innovative’ in the traditional tech-driven sense, Stark sees his business as a reflection of his story, one that he hopes future program participants will embrace.
“Innovation is also your story,” he said.
“Even if food is not as innovative as you think, if it talks about your people and the people you’re involved with, then that’s innovative.”
He said meaningful business ideas do not always have to be radically new—they just have to be authentic.
Additionally, he acknowledged that the pilot program had some hiccups, but he remains optimistic that future cohorts will benefit from a smoother process.
He urged TSLS and FCEF to strengthen their communication and streamline operations to avoid unnecessary frustrations, especially for participants who may already be dealing with the uncertainty that comes with launching a new business.
An inspiring aspect of the journey for this scholar of environmental studies is his advice to future participants.
Many young entrepreneurs, he said, become obsessed with the idea of being different—of standing out through flashy ideas but the heart of a good business lies in passion and personal relevance, he said.
“People try to convince you that you have to think like nobody else, but it’s not about that. If you’re passionate and have a story, that’s enough,” he said.
This perspective brings a refreshing take to the world of youth entrepreneurship.
It’s not just about innovation in the traditional sense, it’s about creating something that speaks to your identity, your roots and your values.
In Stark’s case, food became his medium to express this.
He envisions Stark’s Catering growing into a sustainable enterprise, one that not only supports him financially but also brings people together through family inspired meals.
With the skills learned from the training, the resources from the grant, and the unshakable passion he brings to the table, Stark is determined to make his mark in Fiji’s growing small business landscape and through the support of TSLS and FCEF, he has taken the first real steps in building a business that reflects who he is.
Stark’s story showcases the significance of accessible youth entrepreneurship programs, one that don’t just provide funding, but also mentorship, flexibility, and a platform for young voices to share their stories through business.
