At 57 years old, Jyoti Bala has transformed a childhood necessity into a successful enterprise on Nede Street in Lautoka. A skilled tailor, she has been sewing since the age of 17, a journey sparked by financial constraints that curtailed her education.
Bala shared, “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.” She began her sewing career at a store in Nadi, initially making mosquito nets.
As a single mother of two living in Vitogo, she launched her own shop, Jyoti’s Tailoring, in 2014 after sharing a sewing space since 2008. Despite facing significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and her husband leaving in 2009, Bala’s resilience has allowed her business to thrive.
“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 explained with pride.
While her business flourishes, it faces ongoing difficulties in finding experienced staff. Currently employing two machinists, Bala emphasized the need for more help, mentioning, “If I get more machinists, I can open one big shop.” She sources many materials from a drapery shop while customers frequently bring in their own fabrics for her to work with. Her skills range widely, enabling her to create various garments such as blouses, caps, tops, and traditional Indian and Fijian attire.
Bala reflects on her inspiring journey from a factory trainee to becoming a business owner, underscoring the importance of hard work and perseverance: “You have to work hard because nobody’s going to give you anything on a silver platter.” Her story serves as a testament to the strength of determination and the potential of overcoming personal challenges to achieve success.