When Pauufu Olavie Parker, 51 opened a car wash business in Tavua merely a decade ago, she took into account detailed information of running a successful business because it was to be her first ever business stint.
She had in fact pursued the business out of her personal interest to assist fellow women who were single mothers and those who may have encountered rough patches during their marriages.
While the carwash business may have been considered a male trade for many years, the services offered by women who have worked for Strides Car Wash for the past nine years has made many happy customers returned to them for a thorough vehicle wash before going about their daily business.
Today, the former street dweller has become a life-saver for a group of single mothers and widows in Tavua by providing jobs and a place to live.
She is the proud owner of Strides Car Wash located in the heart of Tavua Town and employs five dedicated women in their 40s so they were able to provide for their families.
“This business has been running for nine years and all employees are women,” Ms Parker said.
“I was brought up in the streets, got married at a young age and I thought everything was going to be ok but things did not work out and I got separated.
“My experience and struggle on the streets made me do something to help widows and single mothers and even school drop-outs and most of them live with me.”
Ms Parker had to let go of some employees when the COVID-19 pandemic struck a couple of months ago and currently employed four staff.
She said some of these laid-off employees would return to work for at least two days in a week so they could provide for their families.
“These women do brilliant jobs and they have win hearts of many customers who kept returning for their vehicles to be washed.
“This is a group of women who are simply working to earn an honest living because at the end of the day all we want is to food on the table.
“They love the work they do and always make sure a customer is satisfied after his vehicle is washed and to us this is the most important.”
Ms Parker her employees have done marvellous jobs to many residents of Tavua and its neighbouring vicinity in the past couple of years.
The Tavua businesswoman has recently purchased a 16-acre land and their next goal is to establish a commercial farm which could help substitute the car wash business.
She added the business had strengthened her employees and encouraged them to believe and have confidence in themselves.
“We hope to purchase some more gears for these women employees….their gum boots, water blasters, cleaning chemicals and fresheners which would help us a lot in running the business.
“We have been affected by COVID but we still manage to pay our $800 monthly rental and provide for our families.
“We do hope the business will pick up soon and our customers would continue coming to us.”
