Vikashni Devi Prakash has been serving customers from her cozy popular eatery in Nabua, Suva, for the past 10 years.
Through determination, long hours, and family support, she said her business, AVSA Food & Snack, has grown into a familiar and reliable food stop for people seeking Indian delicacies and a quick snack bite.
Before stepping into the food business, Vikashni worked as an early childhood education teacher.
While she valued her work in education, she eventually decided to pursue entrepreneurship and establish her own source of income.
That decision led to the birth of AVSA Food & Snack, a modest restaurant that has steadily built a loyal customer base over the past decade. In the early years of her business, she said mornings were always the busiest time of the day.
Many of her regular customers are garment factory workers who stop by for breakfast before heading to work. Their consistent support helped her establish the business and gain confidence as a new entrepreneur when she started.
She said over time, the customer base has expanded quickly. While some of her early patrons still visit, she now welcomes many new faces that have learned about her restaurant through word of mouth.
She highlighted, the growing reputation of the restaurant has helped it expand into a popular food spot for those that pass by daily. “One of the main attractions of AVSA Food & Snack is its menu,” she said.
She focuses mainly on delicious Indian cuisine. “Customers visit the eatery to enjoy a range of dishes including curries, traditional Indian sweets, snacks, tea, soft drinks, and even fish and chips.
“Although the journey is rewarding, it has not been without challenges.”
Vikashni said one of the issues she faces involves drunkards gathering in nearby public areas and disturbing the peace for patrons. She said such situations affected their customers.
When incidents occur, she does not hesitate to call the police to ensure their safety and comfort. Despite this disturbance, she loves operating her restaurant in Nabua.
“This place is the foundation of my business since I started it here, and I want to remain here for awhile.”
Vikashni’s dedication to the business is reflected in her daily routine.
She begins work as early as 6am every morning to prepare food and set up the restaurant for customers.
Sometimes she finishes around 5pm, while other times she stays until 7pm depending on demand. She said family support has always played a vital role in the success of her business.
Vikashni runs the eatery with the help of her mother and sister, who assist with preparing food and serving customers.
However, as the restaurant grows, she hopes to employ additional staff to help manage the increasing demand. Over the years, she has also made improvements to her space. The small space she started with has been renovated to provide a comfortable setting for customers.
The eatery now has a couple of tables and caters for at least five or more customers at a time.
Vikashni said the business has provided a livelihood and financial independence for her family. Through the income generated from the restaurant, she has been able to buy her own ride, pay household bills, and contribute financially to family obligations.
She also supports her husband, a head teacher at a primary school in Suva.
Vikashni said she has ambitious plans for the business and hopes to expand AVSA Food & Snack one day.
She wants to transform it into a larger “wine and dine” style restaurant where customers can enjoy a wider dining experience.
After 10 years of hard work and perseverance, she continues to serve her community with pride — one meal at a time.
Vikashni says she enjoys cooking and she turned it into a business venture 10 years ago.
The inside of the eatery.
