What started as a retirement plan has grown into a long-term mission to strengthen Fiji’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for Pravind Anand, founder of Small Medium Enterprise Solutions and an approved Business Link Pacific (BLP) Business Advisor.

In 2020, when the retirement age was still 55, Pravind began planning his next chapter. A start-up accountant and licensed tax agent, he had long envisioned establishing a centre dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. When an accounting practice in Tavua became available, the opportunity aligned perfectly.

“I bought the business walk-in, walk-out,” Pravind says. “Tavua is home. I knew most of the clients, and I’ve always wanted to serve MSMEs, especially micro-entrepreneurs.”

Rather than expanding into a high-volume firm, Pravind opted for a deliberately hands-on approach. With a small team of two staff members, he provides one-on-one support, allowing him to understand each client’s business realities closely.

“I don’t want too many clients. I want to do the work properly and make sure businesses are doing things the right way.”

A focus on compliance and capability

When he took over the practice, Pravind observed that some businesses were struggling with basic compliance, poor record-keeping, unregistered workers, and unpaid statutory obligations.

“I don’t just prepare accounts and move on,” he explained. “If wages are recorded, I need evidence. Workers must be registered, and contributions must be paid. Everything has to be documented.”

Beyond accounting, he provides business mentoring and advisory services, particularly for micro-enterprises.

“Many people know their trade, but they don’t understand business,” he says. “Someone may drive a bus for 25 years and then buy one after retirement. Driving is what they know, business is something they must learn.”

Record-keeping as the foundation of growth

Pravind consistently stresses that documentation and record-keeping are essential to business success.

“I’ve seen people sell produce worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, yet their living standards remain the same,” he says. “When there are no records, they don’t know where the money went.”

He encourages MSMEs to start with simple systems.

“A basic cash book, money in, money out, makes a huge difference,” he said. “Once you can see where your money is going, you can plan, save, and grow.”

He also highlights the importance of capturing indirect costs, such as transport and travel, which are often overlooked by small producers but carefully accounted for by middlemen.

Separating the business from the owner

Another key message Pravind delivers to MSMEs is the need to separate personal and business finances.

“The money belongs to the business, not the owner,” he says. “The discipline comes when you put yourself on a fixed pay and live within it.”

Regardless of weekly turnover, he advises owners to draw only what has been allocated to them

“Treat yourself like an employee. That’s how businesses survive,” he says.

Supporting access to finance — responsibly

Pravind also assists MSMEs to access grants, loans, and business support programmes. However, he is selective about the applications he submits.

“The business must be genuine,” he says. “Funding should lead to growth. If there’s no improvement after six or twelve months, then the support hasn’t achieved its purpose.”

He has recently supported applications from mechanics upgrading equipment to childcare providers expanding services that enable more women to enter the workforce.

“These are investments that strengthen communities.”

A passion beyond retirement

While establishing the business was initially intended as a retirement pathway, Pravind says his work with MSMEs has become a lifelong commitment.

“When clients succeed, that’s the real reward,” he says. “I treat every proposal as if it were my own business.”

His call to action for MSMEs is clear: seek advice early, document everything and treat business seriously.

“Coming to a business advisor is like going to a doctor,” Pravind says. “We diagnose the problem, identify the weaknesses, and provide a plan. If business owners follow it, their businesses can recover and grow.”

For Pravind Anand, supporting MSMEs is no longer just a post-retirement plan; it is a purpose-driven effort to build stronger, more resilient enterprises across Fiji.

Call to action

Pravind encourages MSMEs that need business advisory, compliance support, or growth planning to seek assistance early through verified professionals.

“MSMEs should work with approved BLP Advisors who understand the realities on the ground,” he says.

Business owners seeking support can visit the Business Link Pacific (BLP) website to identify approved BLP business advisor or directly engage Small Medium Enterprise Solutions for tailored, one-on-one advisory services designed to help businesses become compliant, sustainable, and growth ready.

To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.

The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor.

If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with Business Assistance Fiji to arrange face-to-face Diagnostic.