Curiosity and motivation are the two main principles that have guided Tarusila Mei.

The 40-year-old has been a market vendor for over a decade and her guiding principles have taught her valuable life lessons and, surprisingly, have awoken in her a new talent.

Ms Mei has used her time to both learn and make one of Fiji’s most beloved accessories — the salusalu.

The idea began as a curiosity for Ms Mei, who would casually observe her friends put together colourful and  creative pieces.

“My salusalu business began around 2018,” she said.

“Sometimes I would just sit and observe other women making salusalu to sell. This not only heightened my curiosity, but the women themselves would advise that I could do it too.

“They told me, all  I needed was the willingness to do it and so began my journey.

“It’s actually time-consuming, but a fun experience.”

In 2018, Ms Mei made her own salusalu  for two of her children on their graduation day. What made the occasion even more memorable was the sight of them wearing the salusalu she’d created with patience and love.

“My second daughter was in Class 7 at the time and she won a progressive prize, while my other child, who was in Class 3, came first in her class.

“This was both a joyful and motivating time for me, in fact, it fuelled my passion to  create more.”

Ever since then, the feedback from the public has been excellent, and Ms Mei feels responsible to make well-crafted designs to suit customers’ needs.

She said she managed two successful businesses that have only been made possible by hard work and resilience.

She also runs a vegetable stall started by her mother-in-law years ago.

“My brother-in-law has land at Narara and supplies me root crops and vegetables. Like all businesses, some days are fruitful and some are not.

“If I don’t have a certain produce then I usually  buy from the middlemen.

Her daily routine consists of waking up at around 4am for her devotion before she prepares her children’s lunches.

Besides her busy life, Ms Mei enjoys listening to gospel music in her free time.

She says she plans to expand business in the next five years

Her only advice to women out there is to disregard gender barriers in the search for a successful and prosperous life.

“If you are willing, just do it,” she adds.