At 28 years old, Ratu Jone Biukoto has already made a name for himself by building his own plumbing services business, John's Plumbing, which has now officially been in operation for a year.
Hailing from Nabasovi on Koro Island in Lomaiviti, Ratu Jone symbolizes experience, perseverance and the desire to build something meaningful for his family and his future.
Ratu Jones' passion for plumbing began during his time at the Fiji National University (FNU), where he gained a basic knowledge of the trade.
He broadened his skills through various work experiences with companies such as Nadi Plumbing, Jacks' Manufacturing and Western Builders Limited.
While working in these companies, he learned more than just technical skills, he also learned the importance of moving forward and never settling in one place.
“I never really came to terms with working for an employer,” said Ratu Jone.
“I only spent a year in each company and then moved on to the next one to gain more experience. I realized that staying in one place all your life doesn't allow for growth. You have to be proactive and make sure you are always learning and moving forward,” he said.
This eventually led to Ratu Jone founding John's Plumbing.
Motivated by a desire to provide a better future for his wife and six-month-old son, Ratu Jone saw an opportunity in the underestimation of skilled labor in Fiji.
“The pay stubs I received from previous jobs did not reflect the true value of my work,” he said.
“Companies benefit from our hard work, but they don’t recognize the value of the people who do it.”
Like most startups, John's Plumbing initially faced financial challenges.
He had to rely on borrowed tools from friends, but his determination and ingenuity helped him get through.
“At my first job, I took photos and shared them on social media. Then it really started. People started contacting me and asking about my services and from there my business started to grow.”
Today, John's Plumbing is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ratu Jone and his team of two apprentices provide a wide range of residential plumbing services including meter installation, tiling, sewer blockage repairs, bathroom fittings and replacement of broken water systems.
He works directly with customers, providing consultations, conducting inspections, and scheduling repairs based on customer needs.
Ratu Jone places great emphasis on building customer relationships.
“I don’t rush my work, I do it day by day and manage my clients properly,” he said.
“I prioritize who comes first, not who pays more. Every order, big or small, receives my full attention. Some customers say exactly what they want, others need more advice, but I always make sure they are happy with my work.”
Ratu Jone also offers emergency services at a higher cost for customers who need immediate assistance.
The consistent quality of his work has led to referrals and helped his reputation grow in the local community.
As a family man, he finds it difficult to balance the demands of running a business with the time he spends with his wife and son.
His wife, an engineer by profession, was a steadfast support throughout the journey.
“Because of the long working hours, I don't always see my son, but I do all this for my family.
“Every day I picture them in my mind and remind myself that I’m doing this for their future.”
Ratu Jones' vision extends beyond his business. He hopes to teach his son the value of hard work from a young age.
“I can't wait for the day I can take my son to work. I will teach him simple skills like turning off the meter or fixing small buttons. I want him to learn the importance of working for money,” he said.
While his business is currently focused on residential plumbing, he hopes to expand into the construction sector in the coming years, which will mean applying for a commercial plumbing license from the Fiji Water Authority.
“I hope to expand into the construction sector and expand my product range, but before that I am waiting for the license from the Fiji Water Authority.
“In the meantime, I will continue to expand my business step by step,” he said.
For now, he offers one piece of advice for getting started in business: “If you have the interest and skills, just do it.” Don’t worry about finances; If you strive and fight, things will work out. And most importantly, pray about it.”
Ratu Jone Biukoto at work. Image: SUPPLIED.
Ratu Jone Biukoto, owner of John's Plumbing Services. Picture: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA.
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