In 2020, Jone Sokopeti Lagiono opened his scaffolding business in Sydney, Australia. Six years ago he left Fiji to attend a church conference in Australia. He was only 18-year-old then.
Mr Lagiono found a job at a farm and later joined a scaffolding company where he learnt all his skills to start his own.
Being the eldest of six children, he saw the opportunity to help his parents back home in Yadrana, Lakeba in Lau.
Mr Lagiono said he faced many challenges with his former employer especially with finances and this raised a flag that it was time to move on.
“I learnt everything I could about scaffolding and began to build my network with construction companies,” Mr Lagiono said.
“I decided to start my own scaffolding company. I registered my company as Yadrana Scaffolding and employed two people when I first started.”
Today, he has provided job opportunities to 17 Fijians not counting those that come to work for a day or two.
He makes around $7000 profit a week from his business.
“You can achieve or do anything because everything is possible with God, you can run a business if you follow the right path.”
The 24-year-old is married with three beautiful children.
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