When Kartika Raman’s daughter turned two years old, she decided to start up a home-based business to cater, especially, for the needs of her only child.

Eight-year-old, Kanshika, suffers from microcephaly, a rare genetic condition that causes the head to become smaller than expected.

Ms Raman started her business in 2016 selling fish slices but Cyclone Winston put a lid on the growing business.

Despite this, the determined mother, applied for assistance from the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) by selling pre-loved clothing which she got from her brother in New Zealand.

And for a while, it did well.

“But since I was operating from home, I could not expand my business so I had to start a catering business, Kanishika’s Catering, the name inspired from my daughter.”

“Kanishika is the name of my only daughter and despite her full dependence on me, I still manage my business and I hope to inspire her in everything that I do.”

“With the help of my husband, I have fixed customers from his workmates at Suva City Council and other corporate bodies that order food and even catering services.”

“I always believe that a woman should never rely on a man to support her.”

“Women are capable enough to earn and with SPBD, we are able to create our own businesses and be successful businesswomen.”

Ms Raman advises stay-at-home mothers and unemployed women to use their time to invest in small businesses that can help them grow.

Her zeal to grow in her own venture has enabled her to buy a car, furniture and has even helped taken her family to New Zealand on two occasions.

Ms Raman is one of the loyal customers at SPBD.

She has also signed up for a fixed term deposit with the financial institution in the hope of buying a land to build a home to give her daughter more financial security in future.

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