BY JOY OFASIA
In a small corner of Makira Province, one man is threading the needle between tradition, creativity, and opportunity. Kesty Sudani, a gentleman tailor, has turned his childhood passion into a growing business — one stitch at a time.
“I started sewing by watching my mother,” Kesty told SUNDAY ISLES. “She was a teacher, but she loved sewing. I used to sit beside her and just watch. That’s how the passion grew inside me.”
After finishing university, Kesty returned home and opened JJ Sewing in 2014, naming the business after his two sisters. Since then, his shop has become a household name in Makira — especially for school uniforms, wedding gowns, and men’s fashion.
“This business really started because my mother could no longer sew,” he explained. “I wanted to carry on what she started.”
Kesty’s love for sewing led him to invest in better machines as demand increased. But his journey hasn’t been without challenges.
“One of the biggest problems is getting the right materials,” he said. “Some fabrics aren’t made here, so I have to order from overseas. And when we run out of materials, we have to wait a long time since transportation from Honiara is slow.”
Despite this, he stays focused — not just for himself, but for his community.
“Sewing is my passion,” he said. “I also run other businesses, but this is what I love. And it helps others too — I now employ local people, including girls from Rural Training Centres who finished their courses but can’t find work.”
Kesty believes men can thrive in sewing, even though it’s often seen as a woman’s skill. He believes that sewing provides a source of income even in old age and is happy to provide job opportunities to locals in Makira, including rural training center students, especially unemployed girls.
“Many think sewing is just for women, but that’s not true,” he said. “Men have the strength to stay up and finish orders overnight. We’re also creative. As long as you deliver good quality, you’ll always have customers.”
His dedication has paid off — the profits from sewing allowed him to start a transport business in Makira, buying outboard motor engines to serve the villages.
“I started by selling uniform gowns,” he said. “With the money, I bought one engine, then another. Now I have five. It’s all because of sewing.”
Looking ahead, Kesty dreams of expanding JJ Sewing into Honiara within five years.
His advice to young people? “If you love sewing, go for it. It’s not just a job — it’s a business. It can change your life.”
