CHOP your own wood and it will warm you twice.
For Rita – the proprietor of Prime Timbers Ltd, who wishes to be acknowledged by this name – her wood is her innovative business Prime Timbers, one of the oldest hardware businesses still in operation in Navua.
Located in one of the oldest buildings in Navua Town, Prime Timbers Ltd started off as a hardware store and gradually grew into one of the biggest timber and hardware suppliers in the town.
“I was born and bred in Tailevu and attended Nakaulevu Indian School,” said Ms Rita
At the young age of six, Ms Rita and her family moved to Navua because her father had won a contract in Pacific Harbour, thus prompting their relocation.
“Before, he was just working there as a tractor driver at Pacific Harbour international Hotel.
“And after about six to seven years of service, an opportunity arose that allowed him to start his own, a sort of landscaping business. By then I was coming to the end of my primary school years. I remember, as a young girl, looking at my dad and thinking, if he could do it, I could do it (start a business) too.”
Ms Rita’s early exposure to her father’s landscaping business sparked her interest in the world of commerce. Despite completing her formal education, she chose to join her father’s venture, eager to learn and contribute to the family enterprise.
“My father employed me in his business, just to earn some money and maybe, perhaps, learn a bit about managing the business.
“I always admired what my father did, so I was always interested in the business.”
Starting as an accounts clerk, Ms Rita’s admiration of her father’s work ethic and business acumen fuelled her passion for the trade. However, her thirst for knowledge and ambition to explore the world led her to seek employment outside the family business.
“I remember when I came home tired, I’d sit down and think. I thought to myself, maybe I should start a business of my own.”
With more than two decades of hands-on experience and a keen understanding of the market, Ms Rita believed she was well-equipped to embark on her entrepreneurial journey.
“By then, a lot of big companies had approached me and offered me good jobs.
“But, I guess, I thought it was about time, I did something of my own, something that would last.”
After much contemplation and planning, Ms Rita finally found the perfect location for her venture — the historic building in Navua, located on the right far end of the town across from the oldest running retail outlet, Uneune Shop.
The building that houses Ms Rita’s hardware and timber store dates all the way back to the 1930s. It sits at one of the oldest spots in the town, untouched and authentic.
With its rich heritage and prime location, the building provided the ideal setting for Ms Rita to realise her vision and breathe new life into the local business community. Armed with determination and a clear vision for her business, she embarked on the journey of building Prime Timbers Ltd from the ground up.
In 2006, Ms Rita’s vision began to take form as she officially opened her business and gave it the name it carries today.
“We started off with very little money, but over time, when we finally gained customer attraction and recognition, it became very popular and grew.”
As the company began to take shape, Ms Rita’s perseverance and dedication soon began to pay off.
“People saw my business as sort of small-scale because of the old building. But since then, Prime Timbers is the only one out of those big companies still standing here at the exact same location.
“Even if I have five items here in my shop, I will still operate, nothing will stop me because I have witnessed this business go through so many trials and come out stronger.”
Over the years, Prime Timbers Ltd has continued to flourish under Ms Rita’s leadership, expanding its product offerings and diversifying its services to meet the evolving needs of its clientele.
