When Aishna Nisha participated in the Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) Access to Finance Training, funded by the Asian Development Bank, she did not anticipate how significantly it would transform her business.
BAF Training:
She initially participated in the training to learn the foundational material, and subsequently to reinforce and deepen her understanding. The program provided her with practical tools that improved her financial literacy, strengthened her administrative capabilities, and ultimately positioned her to access further support for business growth.
Aishna owns Delltech Institute of Computers, a small service business located above a narrow staircase in Rakiraki Town. For nearly two decades, the shop provided printing, binding, laminating, and computer services. While she possessed strong technical and computer skills, she acknowledges that her knowledge of accounting, budgeting, and financial planning was limited. As the business environment evolved and customer needs shifted, these gaps increasingly constrained her ability to make informed decisions.
The Access to Finance Training addressed these challenges directly. Through the sessions, she learned how to prepare cash flow projections, develop annual budgets, track income and expenses, maintain organised financial records in Excel, and understand different financial products available to MSMEs. She also gained insight into service providers such as the Fiji Development Bank, Women’s Finance institutions, and other organisations that offer support to small businesses.
“The training was extremely useful. It taught me practical skills I could immediately apply, helped me understand my business finances, and connected me to resources and people I didn’t know before,” she says.
“During the second part of the training, I was introduced to various financial service providers in Fiji and learned about the loan facilities they offer, including interest rates and specific programs such as women’s loans. It was very informative and helped me understand which services I could access to support my business,” Aishna adds.
Business Link Pacific support:
Shortly after completing the training, Aishna was introduced to Business Link Pacific (BLP). With newly acquired confidence and a clearer understanding of her financial needs, she took the opportunity to apply for a grant. This was the first time she felt fully equipped to complete the financial documentation and justify why her business required investment.
Her BLP grant application was successful, and she received a $4,000 grant, which she utilised to purchase a new printer, a binding machine, a laminator, a paper cutter, glossy boards for photo printing, and essential stationery. “The equipment helped me roll on, and then I grew,” she explains.
The upgraded tools allowed her to expand her service offerings, increase efficiency, and better meet the needs of her customers.
Expanding opportunities:
Delltech now conducts training to bridge the gap quickly, where employers in the region were struggling to find job-ready office assistants with adequate computer skills. Drawing on her IT background and experience, Aishna launched short-format training programs offering one-week modules delivered over a one-month period. Each month, she trains between five and six participants.
“Most of my students don’t even go through interviews; they go straight into jobs. Business people around here call me when they need girls. I tell them exactly who fits where,” she says proudly.
Her graduates now serve as cashiers, clerks, office assistants, and administrators across Ra province.
Aishna continues to rely on BAF for technical advice when facing more complex regulatory requirements, including those from the Fiji Higher Education Commission.
“Whenever I don’t understand something, I call Nitika, and she connects me to the right person. If I wasn’t connected to BAF or BLP, I wouldn’t know who to go to or trust,” she shared.
Her long-term goal is to expand her training programs to national-level qualifications.
She aspires to relocate to a disability-friendly space and is considering future financing options, a process she now feels confident navigating because of the training she received.
For other MSMEs looking to grow and access support: Don’t navigate your business challenges alone. You can be like Aishna and reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Pacific (BLP) to explore grant opportunities, training programs, financial guidance, and expert advice tailored to help your business thrive.
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 our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.