A mother of seven is proud of her small business and is hoping to inspire other women and young farmers in recognising the potential in selling vegetables.

Kololi Filemoni, 51-years-old from the village of Faleasi’u owns her own little stall in the village and is a perfect example that hard work pays off. She was hesitant at first but did not realise that how lucrative such a business can be if done with hard work and consistency.

She is a fine example of how informal employment is earning people more than being employed in the formal sector.

“I started this new stall a few months ago, it was hard starting a business even this small but somehow I still managed,” she said.

“We have put much effort in farming and handicrafts for good money. I remember starting this business, we almost failed two weeks after it started but my husband and I never gave up on this.”

“A few months later, I noticed a very huge change in the business. My husband and I are over 50 and we dedicated to this business because it has started paying dividends."

Mrs. Filemoni used to work before but what she is making now is far much more than what she was earning working for someone else. She used to get around $200 a week when employed. Her own business nets her $500 a week on average in profit and sometimes even more.

"I no longer have to work under other people instead, I make my own money and I am my own boss," she said.

“Apart from monetary profits, we get to eat fresh vegetables everyday. We have grown healthy and so have my children. I think this is an advantage."

Handicrafts are one of the main products she sells in her stall and other products include ‘ie Samoa and ili Samoa. These handicrafts are made by different women committees and they distribute it to partners like Mr and Mrs Filemoni and other stores.

The couple also grow and sell their own vegetables.

"Round cabbages hardly grow at our soils, so our trick to it is trading. Trading tomatoes with round cabbages or Chinese cabbages with eggplants and more," Mrs. Filemoni said.

"I hope I set a good example for young farmers and gardeners and know that there is a possibility money can grow out from crops and vegetables."

Mrs. Filemoni advises young farmers to not give up but keep going. She said farming is hard but once you get used to it, the bounties will make people have their own homes and cars.