Page 39 - Islands Business June 2023

SPBD

MEET THE MEMBER

Miriama Degei

Miriama Degei of SPBD Fiji’s Nakavu Centre is a versatile my sewing and screen printing as I don’t want to be distracted.”
businesswoman who works tirelessly for her family. The dedicated entrepreneur says her customer base includes family,
The 52-year-old who hails from Bemana, Nadroga – runs several friends, church members, even gas station workers and supermarket
income streams from the comfort of her home in Votualevu, Nadi staff nearby.
– thanks to the support provided by SPBD (South Pacific Business “The service and products I offer are very demanding, especially
Development). during November and December when there are a lot of festivities.
She specialises in tailoring, weaving, tie and dye, and screen printing. “One of my church pastors is travelling soon to America and has
In April 2020, she joined SPBD after her businesses came to an abrupt made a big order for dresses and sulus, so I’m getting that done.
halt due to the crippling COVID-19 pandemic. Degei says she remains grateful despite the difficulties.
Degei says she had to overcome many obstacles to get to where she “SPBD has really helped me in so many ways, especially in times of
is. need. My mum recently passed away and I used my savings to cover
“On the 3rd of September 2014, our house was burned down. We lost funeral costs. I’m very grateful for SPBD because they give me time to
everything except the clothes on our backs. We lost about FJ$40,000 do repayments.
worth of our belongings, including all my business items. Through SPBD’s help, Degei has gone through three loan cycles. She
“I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to do business again because what is now on her 4th, with a new loan of FJ$7,000 to further improve her
is the point of running a business when disasters happen unexpectedly?’ businesses. This new loan enabled SPBD to reach its US$250 million
We lost everything, and I thought I could not make it again.” loan disbursement milestone.
With the help of the programme, Degei was given a much-needed “I’m looking forward to renting a better house so that I can work
boost to restart her entrepreneurial journey. properly on my business products there.
“I began with a help loan of FJ$1,500 and from there, my business “I want to buy a secondhand engine for my aluminum boat that needs
started rolling,” she said. repairing.
Degei’s entrepreneurial endeavours have expanded further in “I also bought on hire some white goods like pressure cooker, urn and
wooden furniture and coffin making, homemade dishwashing paste, fish an oven from Courts Fiji Limited.”
selling, pre-packed foods, and even being a private driving instructor. To aspiring businesswomen, she says: “Don’t ever look down on
With her vast skill set, multitasking comes naturally to Degei. yourself. Even if you are a woman, you can do anything to achieve
“I was not professionally taught. I have never done any courses, but I your goal. Do your best, whether it’s the smallest thing or the biggest
just see things how they are made and I learn to do them myself.” thing. Be committed and believe in yourself.”
She adds: “When my family goes to sleep at night, that’s the time I do

Islands Business, June 2023 39
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