Faudia Ramjohn’s job as a production technician in the oil and gas industry sees her working offshore for 28 days, followed by 28 days at home. It was in filling those home days that she discovered her knack for wire art, which subsequently led to the creation of her jewelry business, Hana.
The 25-year-old told this newspaper that Hana started out as a home decor business that morphed into offering custom jewelry pieces. “My business is heavily influenced by Japanese culture – wire, bonsai and trees – I then branched fully into jewelry,” she related.
“I’ve always been creative so I tried my hand at wire art and unexpectedly I was really good at it. I needed an outlet for it instead of filling up my home to the brim in wire art.” And so Hana was born.
The name Hana has many different meanings: in Japanese it means flower, in Korean it is the number 1, in Hawaiian it is craft or work and in Arabic bliss or happiness. “I took a long time to choose a name that would not only embody the core values of my business but my feeling for my art,” she said.
Hana is the outlet for Ramjohn’s creative passion, a place to not only express herself but also for her customers to do so. “The excitement they convey when they buy one of my pieces, it’s unreal; it’s satisfying and it feels like a dream,” she related.
She said that having a creative outlet was one of the best things she has ever done, but noted that it’s important that entrepreneurs know when to rest. “Lots of entrepreneurs get lost in the hustle culture until they start to hate what they do. This should never happen, enjoy every moment of it,” she said.
A Queen’s College graduate, Ramjohn did not go into studying to enter the oil and gas industry right away. However, when the opportunity arose to work in the field she took it. “I’ve always liked STEM jobs. I saw that Exxon had a vacancy so I applied and they accepted me,” she stated.
Through Exxon she was sent to study petroleum operations at the Cape Breton University for almost two years and began working at SBM Offshore Guyana, on her return. “The way my job is set up, I work for 12 hours, Sunday to Sunday for 28 days and I get 28 days home,” she explained.
During her 28 days at home, Ramjohn did wire art as a form of release, before it became a small business. She said being an entrepreneur changed her life: “Entrepreneurship gave me discipline, perseverance, attention to detail and a ‘I can do this’ mentality. It has helped me become a better person.”
She has been able to maintain a balance in both her business and career, though this has not been without its challenges. “It’s difficult at times but I’m sure the reason I am able to do it all is because I have a great support system. My partner helps and encourages me whenever I need it. “When I’m onshore, my time management skills when it comes to my business is pretty good. I use weekdays to create as much as possible and weekends to spend time with my partner and friends.
“Maintaining a social life has also been easy. It is not difficult when you only have four friends.”
One of the challenges she faces is overcoming the imposter syndrome that threatens to take over whether she’s at work or home. There are, she said, “those days when nothing goes right for no particular reason; the days I suddenly lose all my talent and have no idea what I am doing.”
What she finds rewarding being both an entrepreneur and having a career in oil and gas is the exposure. “Its incredible meeting so many people with different stories, different lives. It puts your own life and your own story into perspective. It’s definitely the most rewarding part,” she enthused.
Ramjohn’s advice to anyone looking to join any field while pursuing their own entrepreneurial pursuits is, “don’t let fear hold you back, take the leap…” and she also encouraged continuing gaining knowledge. “Always keep learning and putting yourself out there. If you want it, you’re going to have to take it,” she said.
