MARKET LIFE: A Mighty long time as a vendor

MARKET LIFE

Nordia Mighty says being a vendor is better than working a nine-to-five job. She has been selling fruits and vegetables for about 20 years. She said that she used her business to send her three children to school.

"Mi pickney dem big now, and they have children. Mi son wi help mi pack the melon and papaya dem, and mi daughter use to help mi, too, but she nuh deh here again," Mighty said.

She said that during this time of year, graduation time, sales are generally sluggish.

"Wi out here long time, so mi know how the things stay," she said.

"The price nuh high now, but wi still sell. When mi have oda mix-up load, wi will sell, but like how a melon and papaya a sell, nothing much nah gwan," she added.

While not many people are readily prepared to do vending, Mighty said that the profession is something she would encourage others to get into.

"Mi woulda tell people to do it, but a nuh everyone can stay inna it because it nuh up all the time. People think that it always a go up, but that is not the case. If dem cya manage the downtime, it nah go work out fi dem," she added.

The 55-year-old vendor said that the job is often risky as thieves prey on vendors.

Her 26-year-old son told The STAR that he is prepared to take over from his mother whenever she decides to stop vending.

"A she a di boss, and mi a the second. Anything she seh, mi wi do," he said. "Mi nuh have no trade, and mi cya work inna office, so mi affi stay yah so."