Labasa florist embraces digital growth

A passion for flowers has blossomed into a successful handicraft enterprise for Labasa entrepreneur Olivia Filomena.

She says attending the recent Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) and Business Link Pacific (BLP) MSME Networking Expo opened new opportunities to grow her business through digital marketing.

The 56-year-old from Naodamu operates Rosi ni Qamea Handicraft, a Facebook-based business selling floral arrangements and handcrafted items. She says the expo broadened her perspective and gave her practical ideas to expand her online presence and reach more customers.

Ms Filomena said she was a stay-at-home mother before turning her passion for flowers into a business.

Floriculture began as a hobby, but encouragement from a friend inspired her to start selling flowers from home before expanding into handicrafts.

"I buy some handicrafts and make others myself, including salusalu and wreaths. We also have clients from overseas," she said.

The 56-year-old said she had always hoped to own a business, although she never imagined it would be in handicrafts and floriculture.

She said attending the Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) and Business Link Pacific (BLP) MSME Networking Expo in the North exposed her to new ideas and business opportunities.

"This expo has been very beneficial for my business because I learned a lot about digital marketing," she said.

Ms Filomena said selling products online was faster and more efficient than relying solely on face-to-face sales.

"I hope to attend more expos in the future because they create many opportunities for small businesses," she said.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic had been one of the biggest challenges for her business, but operations had since stabilised as customer demand recovered.