Silina Goes Local For Success
Her business journey started because she wanted to do different things.
Sunday 21 January 2024 | 14:05
When the pandemic changed things, Silina Bale started learning new skills online.
She closed her Baglovers Fidji business but saw new opportunities.
This led to the birth of Finding Islands Tours—a way to share Fiji’s beauty, support young people, and connect with communities.
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Ms Bale has done it all, but throughout her many experiences, her love for Fiji and local opportunities has never been shaken.
From Bua Lomanikoro, Bua with maternal roots to Lakeba, Lau, Ms Bale has been a business owner, teacher, and traveller.
Her creative spirit and savviness brought her back to Fiji from France and New Caledonia.
“Unlike many success stories where people seek better opportunities, I found peace coming back to Fiji,” said Ms Bale.
As a fluent French speaker, she spent years working at places like Alliance Française de Suva and teaching French at Yat Sen and International School Suva.
She retired in 2023, focusing more on her growing business.
Her business journey started because she wanted to do different things.
“Being someone who gets bored easily, I started creating things at home with my kids,” she said.
Ms Bale learnt to sew from her mom and started making bags.
What began as a hobby became Baglovers Fidji, a business that did well until COVID-19. Finding Islands Finding Islands Tours collaborates with artists, youths, and organisations like Lami Paddling Club and the Ovalau Outrigger Canoe & Sailing Association, and youths of Lovoni, as a way of engaging communities.
Finding Islands Tours sells items made by locals to support them.
Ms Bale’s bags, now part of Finding Islands, share space with creations from small businesses.
Her dreams of doing educational and wellness tours and exploring unfamiliar places in Fiji.
Running a business and managing life as a founder, Ms Bale acknowledges the support she received from like-minded operators.
“We are part of the Duavata Collective,” Ms Bale said.
Feedback: jernese.macanawai@fijisun.com.fj
