A turn for the better
‘A change in your thought can change your life’
RADHIKA Lata’s dreams of becoming a teacher was dashed when financial challenges forced the Lautoka lass to find work. Today, she is the branch manager of Kasabias Hardware in Lautoka.
Her transition from teaching studies to the traditionally male-dominated hardware retail business is a story in itself.
“I come from a family of five,” she said.
“I live with my mum and younger sister in a settlement called Tomuka.
“My two elder sisters moved abroad while the youngest is studying at the University of the South Pacific in Suva.”
Ms Lata said the huge challenges she had to overcome throughout her life have enabled her to tackle anything.
“I was attending Jasper Williams High School when my dad passed away a couple of weeks prior to my Year 12 external exams.
“The 13-day Hindu rituals were a distraction, but they did not deter me.
“I used to wake up early in the morning to catch up on my studies and I thank my sisters for their support.
“Despite all that was happening on the home front, I attained excellent marks to qualify for studies to my dream job — becoming a school teacher.
“I wanted to continue with my education, but poverty got the better of me.
“I could not pursue further studies after the untimely passing of my dad, he was the sole breadwinner in the family.
“We had to make very difficult choices because the difficult financial situation we were in.
“I wanted to contribute financially towards the welfare of the family, especially my mum because there was no support.”
Ms Lata got a job at Smart Tech, a computer business in Lautoka, and after two years landed a role at hardware giant Kasabias.
“My love-affair with Kasabias commenced in 2011 as a salesperson and I worked my way up over the past nine years to become branch manager.
“It was not an easy feat, but I remained focused.
“I have proven that it is not difficult for a female to lead a hardware store even though learning about building materials was a challenging task.
“If a person is eager to learn, that person will succeed.
“I had zero knowledge about building materials when I stepped into Kasabias, but I told myself that I needed to acquire as much product knowledge as possible.
“I didn’t want to be stuck in one position, so I started to acquaint myself with all the departments.
“I was promoted to administration clerk, I became the third person in charge of the branch — after the manager and assistant manager.
“I did not stop working hard and in 2018 I was appointed assistant manager.
“After three months, I was promoted to branch manager.
“In today’s world, women are more than equal to men.
“A change in your thought can change your life if your goals are right.”