BY JOY OFASIA
AMID the colourful shops at the National Art Gallery in Point Cruz, located within Honiara’s business district, Judith Stanley stands out as a symbol of patience, determination, and hard work.
Sitting behind her booth, displaying beautifully crafted products, she revealed to SOLOMON WOMEN how her commitment and vision turned from a small dream into a registered small business.
Judith’s journey began in 2007 when she first started making crochet baskets and food covers, products inspired by the work of her relatives.
“I used to sit at the art gallery with my family, watching them skilfully create and sell their products. That motivated me to start my own business,” Judith recalls.
What started as a humble venture, creating small handmade items, soon thrived into a grown small business. In 2018, Judith took a significant step forward by securing a space at the newly built Crafts and Market Centre at the National Art Gallery in Honiara.
She registered and named her shop “Changava Craft Shop,” a place where she could showcase her products, as well as those from other local artisans.
Born and raised in Marovo, Western Province, Judith moved to Honiara after getting married and starting a family. She is now the proud mother of two children, and her small craft shop has become the primary source of income for her family.
Despite the challenges of the hustle and bustle of Honiara city, Judith’s shop supports her children’s education and helps meet the everyday needs of the family.
As her business grew, Judith reinvested her profits by purchasing a wider variety of products from other local artisans. She began collaborating with woodcarvers to create unique carved products and also started selling woven baskets and mats sourced from all nine provinces in the country.
However, like many small business owners, Judith has faced her fair share of obstacles. From paying for rentals to securing necessary licenses, including Honiara City Council (HCC) and tourist licenses, she has worked tirelessly to ensure her business complies with government regulations.
“My market depends a lot on tourists visiting the gallery,” she explains. “When cruise ships dock and tourists come in, they often buy my products, and I’m very grateful for that opportunity.”
What Judith started as a humble venture, creating small handmade items, is now a grown small business. Judith has words of encouragement for other women and girls in the country.
“If you want to succeed in business, you have to be faithful, patient, and stay focused. Not every day will bring in the sales you expect. There will be days when no one buys anything, but it’s important to keep going. Always aim high, and never give up on your goals.”
