VIANI-based House of Salt – the producers of Fiji Sea Salt and organic wellness goods on Vanua Levu walked away with the National SME of the Year award at the FDB National SME of the Year Awards 2025.
The award recognises an SME that has demonstrated outstanding business performance, robust innovation, strong leadership and exceptional growth potential, with the capacity to transition into a major corporate enterprise in the years ahead.
House of Salt also won the Sustainable SME of the Year award.
House of Salt owner and director Jone Waitaiti winning both awards meant a lot to the business and to their operations.
“We have been recognised as sustainable because that is always what we try to be at the House of Salt and that is to be sustainable,” Mr Waitaiti told this newspaper.
“We have no waste in our salt production, zero waste.”
Business partner and fiancée Jannette Smith joined her partner in acknowledging their team back at Viani in Cakaudrove for their hard work.
“I want to thank our team for working so hard, coming to us day and night to support us, support family, support the community. I want to thank also my own families for always pushing us forward, also giving us the encouragement to always be there,” Ms Smith said after the win last Friday.
Other winners included:
-Best Agri-Business SME of the Year: Avishay Singh of Sahil’s Party Ice and Frozen Supplies
-Sustainable SME of the Year – House of Salt
-Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year – Leone Vulaca Prosthetic and Orthotic Centre
-Women Entrepreneur of the Year – Dr Marilyn Cornelius of Alchemus Prime
-Youth Entrepreneur of the Year- Tanisha Lal of NailedIt
-Best Businessperson of the Year – Apakuki Nalawa of Resonance Entertainment
-Best Cooperative SME of the Year – Lavena Coastal Walk Eco-Tourism Cooperative Limited
-Best Maritime SME of the Year – Krishneel Deo of Delaivuna Farm Fresh Eggs.
FDB chief executive officer Filimone Waqabaca said there were strong responses this year from SMEs with 145 businesses submitting more than 300 applications across eight award categories.
“These numbers tell us something very encouraging. They tell us that entrepreneurship in Fiji is alive and well. They tell us that businesses are investing, growing, innovating and looking beyond today’s challenges towards tomorrow’s opportunities,” Mr Waqabaca said.
He said applications were received from agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, renewable energy, technology, retail, food processing, and many other sectors.
He added there were also strong participation from women entrepreneurs, youth-led businesses, cooperatives and enterprises operating in rural and maritime communities.
“It shows that opportunities throughout Fiji – not only in our towns and cities – but in every community where people have the courage to pursue an idea and make it grow.”
