Stepping into Bownisa Investment Supermarket, visitors are struck by its clean floors, dustless shelves and beautiful smell, as reported by this newspaper on Friday, June 5, 1992.
The polished grey tiles, colourful pot plants and the hygienic environment were all a reflection of the woman who managed the place — Temalesi Kurisaqila (pictured).
“Being a nurse for 35 years leaves you thinking always clean,” Mrs Kurisaqila said.
She was an assistant nursing director before retirement.
“I decided it would bore me if I continued with nursing because 35 years is a long time to be in one job.”
She moved to Cuvu in Nadroga about a year earlier and started running what was then the largest supermarket in the area.
The idea of setting up a business in Cuvu originated a few months before she retired.
Her husband, former Minister for Health Dr Apenisa Kurisaqila, owned the land on which the supermarket was situated.
“Seeing the area was developing, we decided we should contribute by having a large-scale supermarket in the locality.”
Mrs Kurisaqila found her work interesting because she devoted all her time to the business.
“My job is very interesting because the neighbourhood is a blend of two rich cultures without any political friction, and they come shopping as friends.”
The most sensitive thing about business, according to her, was to draw a line between her generous culture and the hard rules of business.
“Culture can be a barrier to success if a line is not drawn between cultural expenditure and business expenditure.”
She said to cater for the kerekere (subsistence) tradition, she gave money only if she had it but never from the business.
“When culture overrides business, then doom is nigh.”
Mrs Kurisaqila was born in Mavana Village in Lau.
She attended Lelean Memorial School before entering the Tamavua Nursing School.
Over the years, she rose steadily through the ranks until she was assistant nursing director.
Her advice to nurses was that they should work with dedication because dedication was the pillar of nursing.
And what was the most exciting time she had after starting business?
“When I started collecting money,” Mrs Kurisaqila said with a maternal smile.
