Walter’s screen prints
SUCCESS is a by product of experience, says Walter Brian Whippy. The Raiwai-based screen printer said his experiences over the past 15 years have led to the success of his home business and allowed him to provide for his family.
The 41-year-old father of three said the secret behind his rise in a very competitive field was through simultaneously learning and printing tee-shirts and sulu.
Walter attended Dilkusha Primary School and Dilkusha High School before moving to Gospel High School.
He dropped out of Gospel in Year 11 and the Galoa, Kadavu, man was presented with a challenge in terms of looking for work.
Because he grew up on the island and his home was close to the sea, Walter thought his work would be centred around the ocean.
He first tried diving, but felt like it wasn’t the right fit.
Walter said he felt different when he was introduced to screen printing by his former boss and brotherin-law Laisenia Seru.
“I just fell in love with screen printing,” he said.
“I started working with Laisenia at Xoolu and then he started his own company called Wasanitadra based at Raojibhai Patel St in Suva.
“After many years of learning the tricks of the trade, I decided to go out on my own.”
Walter established the Takali Ocean screen printing company and said the first few years were tough.
“This line of business requires dedication.
“While working with Laisenia, I learned how to do artwork on a computer and how to print and expose the film and all the processes right through until the final print on fabric.
“When I set up Takali Ocean, it was not so easy because I have to start off by doing manual printing.
“I have never regretted starting my own business as customers began to realise that one thing they could rely on was my on-time service.
“And as I progressed, I started to build confidence that I could take on the competition in the screen printing market.”
Walter said through the help and dedication of his wife Marica, their family business has managed to survive the economic upheaval caused by COVID-19.
“My faith and trust in God has been strengthened during this time, because no one in my family is an artist and I am a big testament of how, out of the blue, God can use you to be a blessing to others.
“The work that I am doing has put food on the table and enabled us to send our children to school.”
My faith and trust in God has been strengthened during this time, because no one in my family is an artist and I am a big testament of how, out of the blue, God can use you to be a blessing to others – Walter Whippy –