Attaining an academic qualification is not your only pathway to success.
That was the message of empowerment that businessman, Taniela Rararua, believes in. It is also a piece of advice he wants to share with high school dropouts and youths roaming the streets and yet to find their place in society.
Taneila believes God has intrinsically embedded unique skills and talents in human beings and the onus is on every person, through self-discipline, to utilise these gifts for one’s benefit and as a source of privilege to others.
Taniela is from the village of Rakiraki in the tikina of Yale on the island of Kadavu. Today, he is a successful self-made entrepreneur specialising in coffin design and manufacturing, a business he operates from his home at Kalokolevu Village, Rewa along the busy Queen’s Highway.
Life wasn’t an easy ride for Taniela. He probably went through more than any young man should have to experience in a single-parent home.
However, his faith in God and himself allowed him to gain strength to encounter his struggles and forge a better life for himself and his family.
As he began his journey through high school, (Year 14) his father left the family, leaving behind his mother to play both the role of father and mother.
“Because my mother was unemployed and the cost of education was high at the time, I had to make the painful decision of dropping out of high school on the eve of my external examination,” he shared.
“I had to do this to help my mother support the family.”
At home, Taniela worked hard to ensure he and his mother had enough to survive. He revealed how he would go out to sea with a cousin who lived with them. They would wait for hours for low tide to collect shellfish and mussels and bring food home.
Another chance at Montfort
Taniela received another opportunity to attain an education when offered a place at Montfort Boys Town, a vocational training institute run by the Catholic Church in Fiji, located at Veisari, a few kilometres outside Lami Town.
It was here that Taniela learned the value of time and skills management, as well as self-discipline, which helped shape his work ethic throughout his career and today, as a business owner.
“I am grateful for my time at Montfort. The values and lessons instilled in me during my time there are the reasons I have continued to stay focused on my goals and purpose in life,” he said.
Shortly after graduating he married into the village of Kalokolevu and started working for Pacific Green, a furniture company based in Sigatoka.
Joining the correctional service
After a year at Pacific Green, Taniela expressed his interest in joining the Fiji Corrections Service and after enlisting and completing the relevant training he became a corrections officer.
“Two years after joining I was given the responsibility, along with another instructor, to oversee and look after inmates who were being up-skilled in the field of carpentry.”
“While I was in this role, a new entrepreneurship course was set up which involved both the inmates as well as us – the prison officers,” he said.
As he slowly completed the course, Taniela began to contemplate the possibility of setting up a coffin manufacturing business one day.
“So, after 10 years in the prison service, I left to join the private sector as a security guard for a prominent organisation based in Suva where I worked for a further nine years.”
During this time, Taniela began to lay the groundwork for setting up his coffin-making anufacturing business. He gradually began to purchase all the electrical and hand tools he would need and set aside emergency funds.
Starting the enterprise
The first funeral casket Taniela built for a client took him about three working days to complete and it was done without the use of any electrical equipment.
“I only used a few hand tools, and the entire work was done manually through the use of a hammer, chisels, and a handsaw.”
As his client base grew, so did his earnings and he started to reinvest back into his business by purchasing all the necessary tools he needed that would lift the quality of his work and increase his output.
Taniela has also begun passing on his knowledge and expertise to his children to prepare them when they eventually take over the business.
“A son of mine is now studying engineering at Montfort Boys Town, and he always helps me out in the workshop whenever I’m working on a casket.”
“After I finish up the labour-intensive stuff, his job will be to apply the finishing and beautifying touches which includes the fabric interiors and applying stain or varnish,” he said.
Taniela has also been able to purchase two vehicles that are used as funeral hearses and hired out to clients. He formally registered his business in 2018 and aims to open a shop in the city of Suva soon.
Why coffin manufacturing and design?
From a business perspective, Taniela chose coffin making because he believed there would never be a shortage of customers.
“Every day someone is born, and someone dies, those are the facts of life. It will continue like this till kingdom come,” he said.
He also desires to help fellow Fijians organising a funeral for their loved ones by providing them with a one-stop shop for purchasing a good quality casket and a reliable hearse for transportation, at a reasonable cost.
The Kadavu man believes that in tough times, businesses need to have a human and personal touch in service delivery because ‘we all experience loss and grief’ at some point in our lives.
As a person of faith, he encourages young men and youths to find their passion and purpose in life by surrendering to God.
“If you want to succeed in all your endeavours and plans, it is essential that God takes centre stage in your life,” he said.
” You must serve him properly first, only then will your hopes and dreams come true.”
Taniela hard at work at his home-based workshop at Kalokolevu Village.
Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
The two vehicles Taniela purchased to be used as funeral hearses. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
Taniela busy at work on a casket order. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
The beauty is in the details…Taniela also incorporates manual tools in his work. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
Taniela stays focused while operating an electric hand drill. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
One of Taniela’s beautiful funeral caskets. Photo: SUPPLIED
One of Taniela’s beautiful funeral caskets. Photo: SUPPLIED
One of Taniela’s beautiful funeral caskets. Photo: SUPPLIED
