BY REBECCA MACKIN
KNOWN by many as one of the cheapest second hand clothing in town, one could not by pass the country clothing second hand located at the Kukum area, East of Honiara.
Country Clothing is owned by Mrs. Julie Moaki who comes from the Northern part of Malaita Province.
She is 36 years old and is married with one child.
Her second clothing is known mostly as the five dollar clothing shop by many despite its name Country Clothing.
Mrs. Moaki herself is one of the mothers who is hard working and doing her best to provide for her family needs in support to her husband who is currently working.
Speaking to Solomon Women Newspaper, a shy and humbled Mrs. Moaki said that it was not easy at first when she started her clothing but despite the hardships and challenges she kept the business going.
“I was only fiften years old when I came to Honiara, which also was my first time.
“I have only reached grade three and could not able to complete my primary and secondary level in Education.
“Upon my arrival here, I went to live with my aunt. I decided to find a job and was accepted to work for a Chinese Shop located here at Kukum.
“I worked as a shop keeper for a year and then i left and took up another job at Island Clothing Second Hand as a clothing assistant.
“Working there for the past eleven years, I saw the demand for clothing is high.
“Then one day I became very sick and I could not able to go to work, that was when I decided to stop working, but with the increasing demands of my family need, the Idea of starting a clothing shop came to my mind and I discussed it with my husband.
“He agreed and we started the second hand clothing by beginning with two bales with the price of $5.00 – $3.00 per cloth which is the price we chose. With that clothing price we started to see customers coming in and out. And as the years go by slowly the number of bales increased as well as customers,” she said.
Mrs. Moaki says that since running the clothing business, she has her normal customer s and new customers.
“What I always hear from my customers whenever they walk in or purchasing for cloths is they say is that the cloths are cheap and affordable’.
“Running this second hand clothing has helped a lot in providing for my family needs and also helped a lot in other areas such as customary issues e.g. Marriage, death and so on.
“But in running this business I also face challenges, such as there are times where I have to close up the shop for at times just to do other things such as sewing cloths that needs to cut or that needs some sewing. And the major challenge is space’.
“The space here is small and I don’t have a permanent one. But if i find a space then I will expand my clothing shop that will happen when my husband is transferred to the provinces and I will probably be able to secure a space for my business.
“But despite that i try my best to keep the business stable and running.” “Every money I get, I save a little in my savings account,” said Mrs. Moaki.
She said that saving money is what one of the common thing that most people lack in running business or even wage earners especially locals. Whether the income you get from the little market or business you operate either big or small.
“Always save money because the money it self will be able to help you in complicated situations or whenever a need arises. Country clothing is located opposite the Kukum field shop and the cloths price range from $5.00 and downwards. On weekends it called the happy hour which a plastic of cloth cost $10.00.”
