40-year-old Laleena Devi has become the first woman in Fiji to run a hardware business, expanding the business to Family Choice Supermarket and Cafe which was launched yesterday.
While speaking to fijivillage News the Managaing Director of Family Choice Supermarket & Cafe Laleen Devi says she started in 2012 with Custombuilt Sheetmetal, working her way up to become a director and shareholder of the company.
She says she gained experience in hardware and materials, which eventually led her to open her own hardware business in 2018.
She further says it was not an easy move but with the right support,she has managed to build it.
Devi says for six years,she has operated her hardware store from her home in Vatuwaqa and then, in 2023, she decided to expand and rented a bay in Walu Bay to open a hardware store.
She says she rented a space at Matua Street, Walu Bay and opened my hardware store, which is now already a year old.
She further says she then took the opportunity to expand even further when another bay became available which has led to the opening of Family Choice Supermarket & Cafe yesterday.
She adds that now they have the supermarket and cafe, creating jobs and helping the community,.
She says she has employed nearly 30 people across her businesses, with nine in the hardware store, nine in the supermarket and another 13 from her old company, Custombuilt Sheetmetal.
Devi says she invested close to $200,000 and it took a lot of sleepless nights, long hours and the support of her family, especially her husband, who was always there for her.
The Director says through her business ventures,she is focused on empowering others, especially women.
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