Entrepreneur Sulita Vanabale was the recipient of a $10,900 loan from microfinancing institution South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) as it celebrated surpassing $150 million in loan disbursement – since its inception – to support women entrepreneurs across the country.
This is the fifth loan for the founder and owner of Vanabale Investment and bakery since joining SPBD’s Nausori branch as a member in 2023.
In 2023, she took a loan of $1500, and $2500 in 2024, a higher amount of $9300 last year, and this year – $10,900. In an interview with this newspaper, she said she would use the money to buy a new bread oven and another vehicle to transport the products.
She said over the years, the SPBD had helped her grow her business – from a small canteen to a standard shop and a bakery, build her concrete house, and buy her electric appliances and tools for her business.
“I was able to build my concrete house, buy my first car to deliver my products, my mixer, oven, moulding machines, washing machine and other electric appliances for my business,” Ms Vanabale said.
At present, her business employed three workers.
She said some of the challenges she faced were short of staff during busy days, the high cost of food prices, and increase in fuel costs.
However, she added she prioritised baking to cope with those challenges because those products sold the most.
Meanwhile, Ms Vanabale has her repayment plans worked out, saying she saved money from her daily sales despite being the only breadwinner for her family of nine. She has also set her eyes on opening a supermarket in future.
SPBD managing director Lorraine Seeto said the loan to Ms Vanabale was disbursed through the Nausori branch.
“Sulita’s loan is not merely a transaction, it is the loan that carried SPBD Fiji beyond the $150m mark,” Ms Seeto said.
“Her story joins thousands of others that demonstrate the power of opportunity and the extraordinary potential of women entrepreneurs.”
Sulita Vanabale of Vanabale Investment and bakery. Picture: KARISHMA KUMARI
