From packer boy to business owner
The saying “just do your best and God will do the rest” has been Shivneel Naiker’s motto that kept him optimistic through his most difficult times.
The 27-year-old businessman, who owns and operates Quality Distributors and Office Supplies along Ratu Mara Road in Samabula took the risk of opening his business during the pandemic in May 2021, just when many businesses had started to close down.
“I only started my business with $1000 as a home-based business,” he said.
“Initially, it was a struggle because of Covid-19.”
The young man of Natawa, Tavua, came from humble beginnings working as a supermarket packer boy to pay for his school fees.
“I am from a middle-class family, my father used to work at the Vatukoula Gold Mines,” Mr Naiker said.
“When I was in form 3 (Year 9), I started working at the supermarket to pay my school fees until form 6 (Year 12).
“My parents, two sisters and I used to live in a one-bedroom house, which was not easy.
“After completing high school, I attended the Fiji National University and obtained a diploma in electrical engineering.
“I did my practical in Tavua earning only $20 per week. I came to Suva and worked in several companies where I gained knowledge about chemicals.”
Being a young entrepreneur, Mr Naiker believes that if it is a person’s dream to achieve something, then they should give it their best shot and trust that God would do the rest.
“If one wants to achieve something, they have to dream about it,” he said.
“A business takes time to progress but one needs to keep working hard for it.
Today, Mr Naiker employs two people. He sells cleaning chemicals, car care products, industrial chemicals and office stationery.