What is the best business decision you have made?
To learn English so I can make friends with my customers.
What is the best thing about being in business in Rotorua?
The school ball season. I love to see the girls in the gowns we have made for them; they are so excited and that makes me happy despite the long hours we've worked because all the balls come at once.
What is the worst thing about running a business in Rotorua?
Rents in the CBD are too high for small business people like me.
What is your biggest business opportunity in the year ahead?
We are moving to a new shop across the road in September because the rent's more reasonable. I wanted to work from home but my customers wouldn't let me.
What is the biggest mistake you have made in business?
Forgetting to make a groom's mother's dress. I had just started out and it was awful, I stayed up all night to make her outfit but she still wasn't very happy, neither was I.
If you could do another job for a day what would it be?
It wouldn't be a job, I would be a Keep Rotorua Beautiful volunteer because I am always picking up rubbish along Te Ngae Rd, seeing it makes me feel bad.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
I go fishing, I hadn't seen the sea until I came to New Zealand.
If you were Rotorua mayor for a day what one change would you make?
Random free parking days in town, not every day because too many shopkeepers park outside their shops blocking other people's customers out.
