Page 25 - IB FEB 2017

Business
Entrepreneur defies the odds to survive

A big heart pays Secrets of success

PHYSICALLY-disabled Taina Foss SUCCESSFUL business woman
is a beacon of light. Taina Foss is unperturbed by the
Her business pursuits aside, limitations of her physical disabil-
the Nukuwatu resident who sells ity. At 55 years old, she pushes on
pastries and knickknacks outside for Jesus and for her daughter.
Lami’s Shop N Save supermarket The achievements of her small
has other interests. micro entrepreneur trade are de-
She feeds the homeless and pendent on the constant practice
hungry and says the returns Taina Foss believes in God and charity work. of a few factors which she candidly
are rewarding in that the same Photo: Frederica Elbourne shares here.
people return to her with what little q Money rolls in daily from such
money they can spare, to pay for ... I think I make ventures. Contain expenses.
her kindness. ‘ more money than q Say no to credit.
Mrs Foss feeds stray dogs and q Be humble. Accept that the
where possible, takes them home those with better customer is always right. And
to nurse or keep as pets. improve your product accordingly.
She also pays herself an hourly jobs because on q Always break even with every-
rate of $4 from her daily rakings. Mondays they’re at thing you sell. Never settle for less
The future is looking up for Mrs and never sell yourself short.
Foss after she was offered a spot my door asking for q Study spending habits and
to open a tea shop at what will be ‘ accept fluctuations in business
Lami’s newest shopping mall, lo- money ... turnover. Be ready to pick it up for
cated along the Queen’s Highway. the better the next day.
She will not consider selling someone asks me to sell something for q Reward yourself, modestly.
elsewhere because Lami is the them, I ensure I make my cut. Nothing q Marketing doesn’t have to be
stopover for travelers heading like having an extra $10 in your wallet expensive. Mrs Foss has become
West of Suva. from that.” a recognised figure from Navua
The business has the potential Mrs Foss suffers from rheumatoid ar- to Lautoka because she used her
of being a robust and thriving thritis – a consequence of physical abuse voiced and her products to work
adventure. she endured that led to injuries untreated. it for her.
Her disposition however makes her
almost ageless. She surrounds herself
“One account is for my daughter’s with an air of quiet confidence. Poised “I also pay myself after everything is
education – she can access it when she’s and dignified is her posture. squared up.”
18. The other account is for me - for days Her flawless skin and wrinkle-free face Her daily rakings is not a matter she
when I am sick and unable to work, and are age-defying. Her salt and pepper- is open to discuss, but Mrs Foss gives
for times when I just want to close shop coloured hair, coiffured neatly behind her us a fair idea of how much she might be
and travel West for a weekend.” neck, is perhaps the only altering hint of taking home.
From Monday to Saturday, at around what is otherwise. “I sell 40 roti parcels a day at $1 each
midday, Mrs Foss sets ups her table of Her eyes are bright, her voice crisp if the filling is vegetarian. If its chicken
goodies near the front entrance of Lami’s as she speaks softly in a firm tone that curry, I sell the parcels for $2 each.”
Shop N Save supermarket. She executes echoes volumes of her inner strength and On any given day, she sells 40 pieces of
such a feat with minimal assistance after robust mental wellbeing. pie for $1each. A slice of chocolate cake,
wheeling herself from home to town “Being disabled doesn’t make you from a tray of 30 pieces, is sold for the
with whatever she can cart for the daily nothing. You can still do something. The same price.“If unemployed people can see
sale. She solicits help as and when she door’s there. Knock. It will open. Might what I’m doing, and do something similar,
can get it. take a while, but it’s worth something then maybe our crime rate would be lower,
Sometimes, she includes locally bottled meaningful,” she coyly points out. poverty will be alleviated.”
imported perfumes, socks, and little knick Mrs Foss employs one person to assist Challenging as it can get for her, she
knacks in her line up of items. But food her with food preparation. says her ultimate goal now is to meet
is a constant, because “people eat every- “I pay someone to make the roti. I people daily and testify about God’s grace.
day,” she smiles. make the curry. I also bake with the help
“If I spend $10 on material or ingredi- of my daughter. The roti filling changes PUBLISHER’S NOTE: P4
ents, I make sure I make a $10 profit. If regularly.

Islands Business, January 2017 25