After his success in sports, Dominic hopes to also excel in business

By NATHAN WOTI
NATIONAL champion bodybuilder and Pacific Games silver medallist Dominic Yuanis is putting down the barbells for a while to focus his energy on his company, Dom Cleaning Services.
“At the moment, I am very excited, scared a bit, but proud of myself for what I have started. I registered Dom Cleaning Services with the Investment Promotion Authority this year.
“I am new to business and know it will be challenging for me. But if there is anything sports had taught me, it is to be disciplined and focused every day on my next goal.”
Dominic, 26, is from Minj in Jiwaka and Erava, Southern Highlands. He is the only child in the family whose parents are subsistence farmers.
He left his home in Jiwaka to further his education in Port Moresby. But it did not work out because of school fees issues.
So he tried out sports and managed to make a name for himself locally and internationally in body-building.
“Over the years, I had been competing and traveling here and overseas which inspired me to be more than just who I am. I believe that human beings are capable of more than we think we can do or become.”
In 2019, Dominic began making a name for himself in body-building, reaching the top last year during the national championship in Chimbu where he won gold in the 75kg division. He won silver during the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
But his childhood dream is to one day own and run his own business. And today, he employs seven young men from Koni in Port Moresby, mostly his friends who one way or another helped him set up the company.
It hurt him to see many young people loafing around the streets and wanted to find a way to help them.
“So when I started the company, I told myself that I would hire boys from the streets and help get some of them out of what they have been doing.”
He credits his parents for his good upbringing which helps him a lot to focus on important things in life and how to navigate his way around issues.
He wants young people to be involved in keeping the community clean and help to rehabilitate those addicted to drugs.
“I know people will ask why I am sharing my story when I haven’t achieved anything. But I have read of many young entrepreneurs today who started their businesses from nothing, and through such exposure on our media platforms, they were able to secure contracts and opportunities.
“I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to expand my business to a point when I could be able to take care of my friends and other young people on the streets.”

“ I am new to business and know it will be challenging for me. But if there is anything sports had taught me, it is to be disciplined and focused every day on my next goal.”

He still allows time for himself on the sport he loves “because it keeps me physically and mentally fit in terms of regularly exercise and controlled diet. It also gives me opportunities to represent my country”.
His advice to young people who might have dropped out of school for a similar reason as him to look for opportunities to help themselves.
“And when you find whatever that you are passionate about, put God first before you start your journey.”