Shehara Fernando is a female entrepreneur who developed a business out of the sheer necessity of having to take care of herself and her 3 girls. She speaks of how God’s inspiration and her love for wooden creations turned her into an entrepreneur.
Diriya Stories is a series designed by Diriya.lk to relate stories of business persons in order to applaud and recognize Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and also to inspire and encourage others to take up businesses.
Here we go with our 12 questions for Shehara:
When and where did you get the idea from
In 2021 I started restoring antique furniture and noticed these discarded wood in huge loads being given away for fire wood and saw some of beautiful pieces that could be transformed into platters and candle stands etc.
The Start
In 2021 when I started the products I collected discarded wood from wood sheds and started transforming them into wooden platters, trays and plant/Ornament stands. Later I started slowly to expand my product range to the current product line. I used to visit small antique shops and purchase racks, windows, beeralu and creat coffee tables, cake stands, towel racks and candle stands etc
Describe your business
At Rusteaks, we take average wood or pre-used wooden items and restore them to creative and beautiful pieces of furniture and accessories. We undertake to make customized wooden products on customer requests
Who inspired you or where did you draw strength from
That’s easy – God and God alone is my strength
Most difficult obstacle
I have faced many obstacles during the past year and a half running this business, especially sourcing wood for the products due to high demand in firewood due to the price hike in household gas. Other than the above price hike in all paint, thinner and other chemicals and high cost of labour is also a challenge in this business.
Something nice someone told you to spur you on or even something you read that inspired you
My greatest source of strength for my business and my life is my GOD. Determination and hard work, above all faith in the All Mighty God has brought me thus far
How many people do you employ?
I don’t have any employees directly under me but I have several people who make the stuff I get orders for
Any outsourced entities/person that benefit from your business
Yes all the people that do some of my restorations, cleaning, polishing etc. Also, currently I am helping 3-4 families by designing products and giving them to complete and I sell them in the good market.
In your opinion, your most positive quality
Never giving up despite all the challenges, having to take care of my kids and run the home at the same time.
Yours or your businesses’ drawbacks
Today’s high cost of living and the financial crisis resulting low demand for furniture. In order to overcome above challenge of high cost for labour, I have started cleaning varnishing and painting the products and also fixing handles and hooks etc myself.
Future plan
I hope to open my own shop one day
Advise to start ups
Advice to startups is, there is nothing you can’t do if you have a will you definitely will find a way.
We, at www.diriya.lk wish Shehara the very best in her endevaours.
Her contact details are as follows:
Tel 0777196946
Email : Shehara79f@gmail.com
If you wish to tell your story call us on 0773330088 or email us on info@diriya.lk
