BASEBALL Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Lasorda once remarked “the difference between the impossible and the possible lie in a man’s determination”. No one knows this better than Vilisite Qera.
Losing her dad at the tender age of three was the beginning of a new journey for the Coral Coast’s renowned restaurateur who manages and owns Vilisite’s Seafood restaurants in Korotogo and Sigatoka Town, a regular stopover for tourists and locals alike.
Her determination is the telling factor for success.
“My dad passed away when I was only three years old.
“My mum is from Namatakula, Nadroga so we moved to her village from my dad’s village in Wainilotulevu Namosi when I was 11 years old,” Vilisite said.
Vilisite’s mother remarried a man of Indian descent when she was 12. It was her stepdad who taught her the business skills which helped lay the foundation for her success today.
“My business experience started when I was only 12 years old. My stepdad taught me to sell roti for my bus fare and how to always save at least two thirds of what money I have and live on one third.”
Vilisite joined the tourism industry at the age of 16 after having dropped out of school at Class Eight. Her 16-year stint in the industry revolved around the food and beverages department. This is where she gained her culinary skills.
In 1988 with $3000 savings, Vilisite started her first business. With an open fire, a kerosene fridge and a lantern, Vilisite’s Seafood Restaurant was born in Korotogo along the Coral Coast.
“When I started, I did all the cooking, serving and cleaning, basically everything.
“I was just trying it out to see how it would work and I saw that it went very well. I started to hire extra help as I saw the business began to grow.
“I started with only seafood, which was in abundance along the Coral Coast. Even though I have branched out to other foods but my specialty is seafood.”
She built her full restaurant in 1992 with a seating capacity of 60. This was further extended to have five rooms for accommodation. The restaurant also included a clothing and a handicraft store.
Vilisite approached FDB in the year 2000 to expand her business to target the local market as her main restaurant had been focused on tourists. She opened the Sigatoka restaurant and milk bar in 2002.
However, when she thought her tough upbringing was beginning to bear fruit, disaster struck twice testing her resolve.
“Both of my restaurants have survived fires with one in 2008 and the second one in 2012 but that did not deter me. It was heartbreaking to see what I’ve built perish so quickly then I got up and rebuilt it.”
Since her first loan, FDB has partnered with Vilisite providing her with working capital for her restaurants and the purchase of her four vehicles totalling around $200,000.
In 2012 Vilisite’s $140,000 restaurant in Sigatoka was reopened with a seating capacity of 92 offering all of her signature seafood dishes.
Her well-prepared cuisine is predominately fresh local marine fish, shrimp, lobster, octopus in curry, garlic and butter, or coconut milk. Vilisite’s restaurant offers five full seafood meals at dinner, or you can choose from a blackboard menu.
“I have come a long way and I am fortunate to have survived the test of time and to see another milestone achievement through the opening of this new restaurant. I never looked at the problems but I mainly focused on the solutions which I believe has enabled me to reach this far.”
Vilisite’s determination turned her dreams into reality.
* Lote Raboila is the FDB’s media and community relations officer.
