When it gets tough, Barbara turns to art

SMALL BUSINESS

By JESHER TILTO
ART can mean different things to different people.
For some, it is the expression of one’s feelings into their work of art for others to indulge in it.
For others, it a passion that drives their very means of survival in the world.
This is the case of Barbara Kearau Agelavu, as she has found art and her interest for painting and sketching as a means to an end.
At 26, she has now amassed a considerable number of followers and buyers of her work.
She comes from a mixed parentage of Central and Gulf.
Unfortunately, both her parents have passed away.
The last in a family of seven, she has taken on the responsibility to sustain her family.
“Sadly, I have lost both of my parents and two of my sisters,” she said, adding that she now only has two of her other sisters.
“We are currently living in Port Moresby with my mother’s side of the family, my two siblings and nieces,” she said.

Finding her way
“Life was a little hard on us when we lost our first born sister and our father,” Barbara said.
“As years went on, we unexpectedly lost our third born sister who was also our breadwinner and that was when life hit us very hard.
“It was during that time that I had to take up a job without thinking of going further in my studies in a higher institution and just to put food on the table, look after my siblings and take care of my mother.”
She had taken up work as a sales administrator at a local company but then left to work as a front desk attendant at a hotel.
“Then I took a step back and thought about what I really wanted to do in my life and that was when I could explore my second passion which was to become a disc jockey (DJ),” Barbara said.
“In 2017, I heard about a DJ competition in Port Moresby so I took part.
“I was unsuccessful but that did not stop me.”
Barbara would then go on to work as a DJ taking gigs at various clubs and restaurants around Port Moresby.
“After the competition, I was fortunate enough to be helped by a friend who has made it possible for me to work as a DJ at The Cosmopolitan,” she said.
“However, not being used to the club setting, I found myself being absent a lot which led to my termination.
“That did not stop me and with my self-motivation, I pushed myself out from my comfort zone and was fortunate to be given another opportunity to work as a DJ at another establishment,” she said.
Sadly, due to losing her third born sister, Barbara said her sister’s last wish was for her to not work at the club and to get a better job.
“So, I took a step back for a year and a half but due to my situation and circumstances of having to take care of my mother and siblings, I had to reach out again for another job as a DJ,” Barbara said.
“Due to safety reasons, I had to leave my job and apply at another club to work there because it was closer to home.
“After a while, I found a better job at Trakpro in 2021. My mother started to feel ill and I even though I really needed the job, but I was unable to continue working there.”
This made it difficult for Barbara to provide for her mother’s medical needs.
She had to think of a solution, which came in the form of her childhood passion – art.
“I had turned to the very thing I knew and loved as a child – my art,” she said.
“While my mother was in her sick bed, she was always my motivator as she always pushed me out from my comfort zone and she was always the first one to light up every time she saw my work.
“With her last words, she would tell me to pursue my art just so I could earn a little for us.
“I cried every time I sketched, knowing she would not make it, but I gave it my all anyway, just to earn a little for her to get her medical needs and what she wanted.
“With my husband being the support system for me and my brother in-law, who was the only one working, they both went out of their way for each other just to make sure everything was in order as my two siblings did not have jobs at the time.
“We are sometimes supported by my dad’s side of the family and mom’s side but most of the time, we are all we have.
“God was good to my husband who provided for us by helping my brother in-law, until the passing of my late mother.
“After losing my mother, I had no hope but to turn to God and my first passion, which was my art, because of mum.
“She was the one who motivated me to register a business in 2021 with the little money I made and my business name was ‘USA to PNG Imports of Goods, Products and Services’ but due financial issues, I could not start my business as yet.
“I am currently not working because God has given me a new path to follow and therefore, I am following the directions that he is giving me which is my artwork.”

Zuri’s paintings
“I am the owner of my little business which is Zuri’s Paintings which is registered under USA to PNG Imports of Goods, Products and Services,” Barbara said.
“It is a business which was named by my mother and Zuri’s Paintings is one of the branches of it.
“Even though I am starting from scratch, I am determined to build it up in honour of my mother so that I can help young people, especially locals, to secure employment so that they can earn a living.
“I do not know how, but God is in control of my business and I know He will make it happen because He knows my heart.
“What He blesses me with, I will use to bless others because that is of my nature.
“The struggles that I went through personally can resonate with most people but cannot really be understood, until a person has walked a mile in my shoes.
“I have gone through a lot in life and not having much time to enjoy my youth, life has forced me to grow up sooner than I expected.
“I was forced to grow up quickly because of the responsibilities I took on and that has shaped the adult that I am now.
“God was always on my side and because of Him, I am now a young entrepreneur.
“I am a young woman who strives for the best.
“It is through God’s grace, mercy and favour that my business is starting to grow.
“My mother, from the very beginning, was always my biggest supporter even though my art was always laughed at, criticised and discriminated, my mother was always the one who pushed me to go beyond my limits and so, my all artwork is dedicated to her.
“It does not matter how fast or slow I go; I will make it with the grace of God to honour her.
“I have goals I want to achieve but I do not wish to share it yet until God puts me there.
“For now, my focus is to build what I already have that God has blessed me with and work extremely hard to make it happen.
“It may take years to actually build something but when God is in control that years is like a day to him.
“I am a 26-year-old who is working very hard to grow my business and despite how fast or slow it goes, I am thankful that I have God because He is the one who makes everything happen.
“I am thankful for the life experiences that I went through because it only made me tougher, stronger and more motivated to do well for my family.
“I am motivated and determined and I am excited for what God has for my life.”
Barbara recommends those who are facing a similar situation as hers to make do with what little they have.
“Pride will not take you anywhere – hustle and take any job you can until you make it to your dream job,” she said.
“It is all about climbing the steps and every staircase has an end, so keep walking until you reach the top.
“Most of all, put God first.”