For many women, starting and running a business can be a challenging journey. For Suman Sharma, Director and Driving Instructor of Sugar City Driving School in Lautoka, it has been a rewarding journey fuelled by passion, hard work, and success.

Located at 52 Naviti Street, Lautoka, Sugar City Driving School was established in 2017 after Suman became a qualified driving instructor. Taking a chance on a new career path, she decided to start her own driving school and provide driving lessons to people in her community.

When she first started the business, Suman did not expect it to become as busy as it is today.

“I thought I would only have one customer a day or maybe four customers a week,” she said.

However, as more people heard about her services, the number of students continues to grow. Today, Sugar City Driving School welcomes numerous learners every day, making it one of the trusted driving schools in Lautoka.

As an instructor for both manual and automatic vehicles, Suman enjoys helping people gain the confidence and skills needed to drive safely on Fiji’s roads. Seeing her students pass their driving tests and become independent drivers is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

Being a woman in the driving instruction industry has also allowed Suman to show that success can be achieved in any field with commitment and a willingness to work hard. Over the years, she has built strong relationships with her students and earned the trust of many families throughout the community.

Beyond the driving school, Suman and her husband are also involved in their family’s long-running businesses. The family operates a watch repair shop and barber shop located at 15 Tukani Street, Lautoka. The barber shop was first established by her husband’s brother around 30 years ago, and the family has been managing and operating the business for the past 15 years.

Today, both businesses continue to serve the people of Lautoka, and Suman is grateful for the support they have received over the years.

Looking back on her journey, Suman is proud of what she has accomplished. What began with modest expectations has grown into a successful business that helps people achieve an important life skill while also providing for her family.

As a woman entrepreneur, Suman hopes her story encourages other women to believe in their abilities and pursue their goals, no matter how big or small. Through Sugar City Driving School, she has shown that women can succeed in any industry, create opportunities for themselves, and make a positive difference in their communities.

“As a woman, I am proud of what I have achieved. I hope my journey encourages other women to believe in themselves and never be afraid to pursue their goals.”

She encourages anyone interested in learning how to drive to connect with Sugar City Driving School through their Facebook page or by calling 993 8908.