Optimism is key in the food and beverage industry, says a lawyer who has opened up her second coffee shop in the capital city.

“Every day, you have to press the reset button, because every day is a new opportunity to make another dollar,” said criminal lawyer and restaurateur, Vuli Savou.

“The process is fun; you have to have self talk.”

Ms Savou now owns and operates Gloria Jean’s Thurston St franchise, in Suva.

“It’s a great place to hang out,” she said.

“My friends come around, so I get to hang out with them.”

Just six months ago, she took over Gloria Jean’s Damodar City.

“I guess I really am a business-minded person,” she said.

Why Food And Beverage?
For as long as she can recall, Ms Savou has been selling something.

“Even when I became a lawyer, I was always selling something on the side,” she said.

“To get to Israel, my daughter and I had to sell pasta to make up for the shortfall in our travel budget.”

She grew up helping her aunt in the business of a market vendor, even after school.

“The food and beverage business is an ongoing project for me and my daughter – who is 15 going on 105,” Ms Savou said.

She believes Fiji offers the perfect ground for more food and beverage businesses to flourish.

“There is a lot of room for that; we just need the know-how to evolve,” she said.

Ms Savou describes herself as a private person who is “smart enough to get things done”.

In reality, she is eloquent, sociable and gets straight to the point.

Qilaqila Vanuabalvu, Lau. Photo: Jon Apted – FaceBook

Where Would You Take Friends To?
Qilaqila, Vanuabalavu, Lau.

My mum is from there.

And the place is beautiful.

Gloria Jean’s coffee house at Thurston Street. File Photo: Kelera Sovasiga

What Is Your Favourite Spot For A Coffee Or Pie?
Gloria Jean’s Thurston Street, Suva.

It is more suited to my age group, as the Damodar City coffee shop has a host of people, and is more suited to the teenage market.

Gloria Jeans Damodar City, Suva. Photo: Leon Lord.

What Is Your Favourite Backyard Spot?
Gloria Jean’s Damodar City.

It has glass walls through which we can see who is passing by.

When friends pass by, I wave at them in acknowledgement.

As soon as I know I have their attention, I wave them in.

Totoya Island Bay.

What Is One Place In Fiji On Your Bucket List?
Totoya.

It is where my father hails from.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj