THE Suva Flea Market has been like a second home to a number of small and medium enterprises over the years, with some of them operating their stalls since 1995.
Mohammed Nawaz, 60, has operated his business from the Suva Flea Market since 1995 and is now ready to retire, kick back and take it easy with his wife and two granddaughters.
Mr Nawaz is specialised in repairing shoes and bags and also sells shoes, bags and other knick knacks from his stall.
“I learnt how to repair bags and shoes from my work at Ambalal Footwear and then I worked for JB Footwear.
“I looked after JB Footwear’s flip flop factory in Lami during my 30s and then when Ambalal opened a stall here at the flea market, I worked for the company, looking after the stall,” he said.
Mr Nawaz lives in Savutalele in Tacirua, 6 Miles and plans to retire soon.
He said business had been good but he did not have anyone to hand it over to therefore he planned to retire and spend time with his family.
“Business has been good for me and I have never regretted my decision to start my own business.
“The advantage here is that I am my own boss and I have the freedom to work at my own pace.
“I have built a reputation for myself with the quality of my work and I have regular customers who always come to see me when they need some repairs done,” he said.
Mr Nawaz has been lucky with his business and has been fortunate enough to earn a good living for his family and being able to improve their standard of living.
“I have a daughter and I was able to provide for her education from my income from the business.
“My income supported her education until tertiary, that’s when she got a scholarship,” he said.
Mr Nawaz pays about $12 per day for his stall but has no complaints as he is able to make enough for his family.
“I am always here early in the morning and open for business by 7am and I close the shop at 5pm — Monday to Friday — as I am a Seventh-day Adventist.”
Mr Nawaz said he would always be grateful to his former employer Ambalal for giving him the opportunity to learn the trade of shoe repair as it had benefited him and his family over the decades.
Meanwhile renovation works at the Suva Flea Market are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
