Kamlash confident

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Kamlash at his Lautoka Municiple Market grog stall. Picture: SHIRAZ KASIM

Kamlash is a glaring example of a resilient person who has overcome overcome many challenges to become a successful Fijian businessman.

The Korotari in Labasa native had moved to the country’s second largest city with his wife after the expiry of their land lease.

“I moved to Lautoka 15 years ago in search of a better life because our land lease in Labasa had expired,” he said.

“There were very few employment opportunities in the North during that time also. I spent most of my formative years working as a foreman for Classic Buses in the Sugar City.”

Mr Kamlash said he decided to dropout from school to focus on the family’s business.

“The decision to leave Year 10 was an instant because my late father got sick. I sacrificed my education to ensure that all my other siblings were able to complete their education.

“I started looking after the family business. It wasn’t a big business, but we were mostly engaged in doing renovation works. I was raised in a big family of five brothers and three sisters.”

He said later relocated to his uncle’s residence at Kashmir in Lautoka.

“I was staying with him for some time before finding a suitable place to rent at Field 40. I have been residing there for the past 14 years with my wife. All the rest of my siblings have also left Labasa.”

Mr Kamlash said his interest to start his own business was by chance.

“I had realised the potential of a massive demand for yaqona and decided that selling quality yaqona should be an alternative form of employment for me.

“By this time I got sickly and opted out of doing hard labour work any more. I then applied for a stall at the Lautoka Market and currently own six tables. I used to pay $49 a week in stall fees until the Government offered a fee waiver for all stall owners in the country this year.

“I managed to establish myself as a prominent yaqona seller in the Lautoka market despite my education level through pure hard work and self-belief.

“My revenue has grown because of my sole trader enterprise. I have created my own business success story from scratch because I had the will and determination to do so.”

Mr Kamlash said he too was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, weathering the impact of the pandemic to get his small business back rolling was a slow process.

“I believed in myself and continue to do so despite the economic fallout despite the pandemic. I needed to bounce back because I was without any income. The bills also had to be paid and the restrictions on movement and closure of businesses had a huge impact on my business.

“It was extremely difficult because COVID had devastated my business. It was tremendously challenging the past year, however, I have managed to continue with my small business.

“It’s great to notice the easing of some stringent health protocols, which allowed a steady flow of customers to my stall. I am happy that I have been able to navigate through these unchartered waters although we are not out of the woods yet.

“As I reflect on the challenges faced during the first and second wave, I remain hopeful that better days lie ahead as we approach a new year.

“I believe that even though the pandemic has lasted longer, it won’t last forever.

“I continue to operate the same way, but I’m also cautious about safety. My goal remains the same. “I want to be someone and not be invisible.”

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