Business

Copycat a concern for entrepreneurs

September 18, 2019 4:35 pm

Copycat or plagiarism in the business industry is a growing concern amongst entrepreneurs in Fiji.

Speaking at the Youth Forum at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Party & Events Fiji Managing Director Kim Beddoes says it’s important to work with integrity.

Beddoes urged youth and students at the forum to come up with unique business ideas in order to stay relevant in a competitive market.

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“Unfortunately in Fiji we do have a big copycat culture and so I would encourage new business owner to try and come up with something new and be proud of your work. And also as I mentioned in the forum today find something thats unique and something you’re good at and do your business with integrity.”

Forum participant and USP Student, Triveshni Sharma says while the Fijian government is pushing for more job creators, there are still more factors that needs to be considered.

“As like young people, if you want to become and entrepreneur right now the challenge is in terms of finance as majority of us are on loans. We has to pay that off and we have to think about it but as the people inside said, it’s not really that you have to become one right now. You can have a first job, a second one and a third one but finance is a bit of an issue.”

‘The Merch’ managing director Watesoni Nata Jnr. says this sort of platform acts as a support system for emerging entrepreneurs.

“With entrepreneurship, the challenges are many but what I would advise young budding entrepreneurs and students that are thinking of venturing into this field is ‘don’t be scared’. Get in there. The challenges you’ll face along the way, but you’ve got to build the patience and the resolve inside you to be able to counter all these challenges.”

Around 300 students were part of the Youth Forum with the theme ‘You’re driving change in Entrepreneurship.”