People in Suva may have seen him around Harbour Centre in the heart of the city.

Rupeni Draunivesi, 29, hails from Nakavu Village in Kadavu and for the past 15 years he has made his living through his shoeshinning business.

Unlike any other shoe shining service Mr Draunivesi has a big wooden chair that people can sit on while he works on shining their shoes.

Not only that his customers are also given the day’s newspapers to read while he is at work.

Mr Draunivesi grew up in Nabua and before he ventured out on his business he had worked at Voko Industries Fiji for two years.

Early beginnings “When I started shining shoes in 2002 I was stationed at the Civic Centre area with a couple of other boys,” he said.

“I decided to do this because I like serving people and it has helped me support my three children’s education.”

Mr Draunivesi later moved to his current location in 2006, but the idea of including a chair to improve his customer service came about while attending a workshop that was facilitated by the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) in 2015.

“My first chair in 2015 got stolen so this one is my own and I got it from home last year.”

Customers Mr Draunivesi said his customers have now increased.

“My regular customers are mostly Bank South Pacific staff. The highest tip I got was $50 and so business is going well.”

Mr Draunivesi operates from Monday to Saturday, he starts his day at 7am and goes home at 4pm.

To shine both shoes (colours- black, brown, and white) costs $2 and on a good day he makes about $30 to $40.

The humble Kadavu man said the best part of his job is when people are satisfied after their shoes are shined.

Long-term goal Some challenges he has faced is that on certain days he does not receive a lot of profit and at times the negative stares he gets from
the public is something he has grown used to.

His long-term plan is to become a taxi driver and he is saving up to buy a car.

If you’re around the Harbour Centre area and you need that not so shining shoe or sandal shined, check out the smiling Mr Draunivesi at the corner, who is ever willingly to shine your shoes.

His advice to young people is to believe and be themselves and to go after their dreams.

Feedback: mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj