We are all born with a grab bag of gifts and gaps. Identify your true talents, then find out how to use them to make money.
These were the words of 22-year-old Fredrica Nagan, who hails from the Garden Island of Fiji and is always looking for new challenges to get herself involved in.
She says she always loves challenges. New ideas pushes her to seek her full potential.
Fredrica is a student at the University of the South Pacific pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce Double Major in International Business and Marketing with Tourism Management.
She is also a volunteer with WWF (World Wildlife Fund), a member of the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) and a lifetime member & Young Leader at the Fiji Girl Guides Association and a John Maxwell Youth Facilitator. She resides in Valelevu, Nasinu.
Baking has always been a hobby for Fredrica at home, and she loves to try out new ideas and skills she sees on the internet.
Fredrica started off just baking for her nuclear family, then slowly word got out. Now Fredrica spends most of her days preparing orders for her customers.
“I usually close my orders the night before if I have only a few for the next day, but I usually advise my customers for two-day advance notice for their orders. I then carefully plan out my orders according to their delivery times,” she said.
“Executing an order doesn’t take up much of my time when my family members help out, but if I was carrying out orders on my own, it usually took about an hour or two for one particular order of brownies, coconut slices, pies, buns or scones. Birthday cakes usually take me at least five hours.”
Fredrica usually does her shopping at Shop n Save and RB Patel because they have the ingredients and specials.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Fredrica abides strictly to safety protocols when preparing and delivering orders.
“When I am carrying out delivery, I put on double masks with triple filtering and gloves. I sanitise my hands before wearing gloves. I have the gloves on, after contact with customers upon exchange and after an exchange of goodies.”.
One of the most challenging baking projects Fredrica had to go through was when she decided to expand and start with birthday cakes.
She had to bake cakes for a 1st birthday celebrations. A considerable sized party and one usually celebrated in a big way – being the first big party for new babies.
She said she was nervous. For a moment she became hesitant and doubted herself and began questioning herself: “how did she get herself in this situation”.
But Fredrica pulled through and she executed it well. She was even in awe of what she was capable of.
Fredrica draws motivation from her parents. They are the two people who inspire her the most.
“Seeing how far they have come and the struggles they have been through to provide for my little brother and me is something I can only hope to measure up to one day.
“My extended family and friends are my inspirations as they have always been there supporting and encouraging me in any way they can.
“I am definitely grateful and blessed to have such great support in my life and for my business.”
One of the challenge that Fredrica had to deal with was having to do most of the baking and delivery herself.
She is usually exhausted by the end of the day, but goes to bed knowing that she has baked to the best of her abilities and satisfied her customers.
“My advice to youths would be to always keep exploring your talents and grab opportunities as they come.
“Never be afraid of what you think you cannot do, be open to challenges and face them head on with an open mindset.
“Trying something new won’t hurt, it only expands your level of awareness and knowledge capacity.
“Do things you are passionate about and always keep God at the centre of it all.”
