Miliakere Liku, 67, is one of the familiar faces that will greet you when you visit the Flea Market in Suva. Originally from Tonia Village in Tailevu, Ms Liku has been in the tailoring industry for the past 30 years.

She has supported herself and her two daughters over the years with the income she earns from sewing.

“My husband left us when my two daughters were very young and I moved back to my parents’ house in the village,” she said.

Ms Liku taught herself how to sew by using her mother’s sewing machine and she would usually sew her own clothes.

“One day in 1984 I was in Korovou in Tailevu North shopping when a lady admired the dress and skirt (jaba) I was wearing and said she was looking for a tailor to work in her shop,” she recalled.

For the next 15 years, she worked at the Riverside Tailor in Korovou and became well-known to the locals.

“I sew uniforms, dresses, shirts for students and also for those in Korovou. Through those years I gained a lot of experience and improved on my sewing skills.”

Ms Liku would sew about seven dresses in a day and even though her wages weren’t enough, it was her love for sewing that kept her going.
She said the income earned supported her daughters’ education and they are now in their thirties with secured jobs and families of their own.

Ms Liku finally ventured out on her own in 2003 when she applied to get a stall at the Flea Market.

“It feels great to be my own boss and now the profit I make is used to buy my groceries only as I stay with my niece in Valelevu.”

She said most of her customers from Korovou are surprised to see her running her business in Suva.

Ms Liku said her busy periods are usually during the annual Methodist Church conference and Christmas.

“I will continue sewing until my body cannot take it anymore.

When that day comes I will then head back to the village.”

Her advice to anyone wishing to start a business is to first save some money and at least have a plan in place which is very important.

Ms Liku also thanked her two daughters for supporting her throughout the years.

So if you’re looking for a place to sew skirts, dresses, shirts, pillow cases, amongst other for you and your family at a reasonable price, then check Ms Liku out Stall 113 at the Suva Flea Market.

Feedback: mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj