Ashneel Narayan just never gives up. He oozes optimism at the highest level. The 33-year-old owes the success he enjoys to his parents, especially his late dad Vijay Narayan.
“He was a pillar of strength in my life because he always offered great words of wisdom and taught me values with which I am leading my life today,” he said.
“He always ensured his family never slept on an empty stomach although he sacrificed his meals for us on numerous occasions.”
The Tagitagi, Tavua, native is the new director for a rebranded Sabeto Diary Store located at Natova in Nadi. The shop was not operational for more than eight years.
“My father was an asthmatic, but he had never let that ailment jeopardise his dreams of building a better future for his children. “He was a carpenter by profession.”
The lack of adequate employment opportunities in the Gold Town Tavua community was the sole reason for the Narayan’s to venture to greener pastures.
“My dad decided to move to the tourist town of Nadi because of the immense employment opportunities available in his profession at that time.
“New hotels and resorts were springing left, right and centre hence my dad didn’t want to lose the great opportunity that awaited.
“I was six years old and in Year 1 at the time we relocated to Nawaka in Nadi. Dad had bought a piece of land there.
“It’s still our family home and my brother is residing there while I am here in my newfound home.
“I am the second eldest in a family of three boys and a girl.” Mr Narayan finished his Year 8 education from Andrews Primary School in Nadi and lacked the academic skills to further his education career.
“I was never interested in school work; I didn’t understand the English subject, I hated maths and the other subjects just flew over my head. “I only loved football at school which is the reason I was in school every day.”
He said his parents understood his lack of desire to continue schooling and never pressured him in anyway.
“Dad was cool and suggested for me to learn some trade work like carpentry or mechanical skills; I opted for the former. I was not paid a single cent all the while I was learning the work of a mechanic.
I was only 14 years.” Mr Narayan commenced work in a jewelry store owned by his uncle in Nadi Town after an year at the garage.
“Kajal Jewelers was the place where I learnt the intricacies of being a businessman. I worked there for quite a long time. I started to earn money when I turned 17.
I was so happy that I got to a stage where I started to support my family, especially after my dad’s demise an year earlier.”
The soft spoken youngster opted to work in a five-star resort after a decade of working with his uncle.
“I got employed by Sheraton Resort and was in the grounds department. I chose to work in a resort because of the greater wages including other benefits.
I was there for four years until the novel coronavirus emerged and the rest is history.
I was doing odd carpentry jobs afterwards within the Nadi area as a means of earning some money at a very critical time for everyone.”
Mr Narayan started his diary shop a day after the second wave of a killer virus erupted in the country resulting in the subsequent containment areas and lockdowns.
“I was a bit jolted, but was ready for something like this. I have invested nearly $7000 in my business.
I am optimistic that tomorrow will be better than today. Nothing is permanent and so is COVID-19.
“I intend to be a successful proprietor and I always have the blessings of my mum and the ever-lasting support of my beautiful wife of seven years. I am a father to two wonderful kids and I will not let anyone down.
“I am undecided if I will go back to the hotel industry; maybe later but my focus right now is to ensure the success and profitability of my new diary store since I have a three-year contract.” Mr Narayan offered a word of advice to the masses.
“Life is not a bed of roses for anyone. Always be positive minded rather than complaining all the time.
Success comes to those who seek it.”
