At 57 years old, Jyoti Bala has turned a childhood need into a flourishing business on Nede Street in Lautoka. A talented tailor, she began sewing at the age of 17, motivated by financial constraints that limited her education opportunities.
Bala recounts her journey, stating, “When I was 17 years old, I left my school, my parents didn’t have money to pay for fees to go to high school.” Her career in sewing started at a store in Nadi, where she initially crafted mosquito nets.
As a single mother of two living in Vitogo, Bala launched her own establishment, Jyoti’s Tailoring, in 2014, after sharing a sewing space since 2008. Despite facing formidable challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and her husband leaving in 2009, her determination has allowed her enterprise to flourish.
“I paid for my daughter’s fees, which cost $19,000, all from sewing clothes, and all those sacrifices paid off because my daughter is a lecturer for TISI Sangam Labasa,” she shared with pride.
While her business continues to thrive, Bala faces ongoing challenges in recruiting skilled staff. Currently employing two machinists, she expressed a desire for more assistance, indicating, “If I get more machinists, I can open one big shop.” She sources numerous materials from a local drapery, while many customers bring in their fabrics for her to transform. Her expertise spans a wide range of garments, including blouses, caps, tops, and traditional Indian and Fijian attire.
Reflecting on her impressive journey from a factory trainee to a prosperous business owner, Bala emphasizes the value of hard work and tenacity: “You have to work hard because nobody’s going to give you anything on a silver platter.” Her inspiring story showcases the power of perseverance and the remarkable ability to overcome personal adversities to achieve success, offering hope to others who face similar struggles.