‘Never be ashamed of your hustle’: Mum grows business to support family

A Suvavou mother is urging women not to be ashamed of their hustle as she expands her small business to support her three daughters.

Suliana Delaivuna, 34, sells food under an umbrella outside Suvavou House on weekdays, offering morning teas, juices and lunches. But she said it was not enough to keep up with rising costs.

She began selling clothes, shoes and jewellery in February this year, juggling both businesses to help sustain her family.

On Saturday, she showcased her products at the Westpac Female Founders Market at the University of the South Pacific in Suva — her first time at the event, which she only learned about the day before.

Her husband, a construction worker from Ono-i-Lau, also contributes to the household income.

With three daughters — one in Class 4 and twins in kindergarten — she said every extra dollar matters.

“Everything nowadays is expensive,” Ms Delaivuna said.

“I’m just doing some small things like this to help out for our kids.”

Rain remains her biggest challenge, as operating without a proper tent forces her to close during bad weather.

Despite this, she plans to apply for Westpac’s $5,000 Female Founders grant and hopes to one day open a restaurant.

“Doing business is not about being ashamed of what you do. You have to try it out to get something. You should be a strong woman.”