By Navendra Seoraj

CLOSING the door behind him as he walked out of what was considered a ‘toxic’ work environment, turned out to be the best decision 29-year-old Samuel Sergobin ever made, as the ‘major’ step opened a new ‘window’ of opportunity for him.
For a very short time in his life, Sergobin worked with a Chinese window manufacturing company, which, though toxic, taught him a valuable trade which he has since used to create a viable small business in Berbice.

The young man, first a former employee of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), lost his job when the former administration closed the Skeldon Sugar Estate in 2017.
This, however, proved to be the turning point in his life, as he immediately found a job with the Chinese manufacturing company in Berbice.
“After leaving GuySuCo, I was employed by a Chinese window manufacturing company, where, over a very short period of time, I became very versatile in my job,” said Sergobin during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Even though he was making positive strides, the owners of the manufacturing company were making demands without offering him the requisite ‘pay’.
In talking about his experience, the young entrepreneur said: “They were making more and more demands when it came to working extra hours and weekends, and due to the fact that the payment wasn’t right and the boss was miserable, I left.
“Soon after, a friend of mine needed some windows and glass cases for a new shop, so I spoke to him and got the job. And that was when I realised we could make an honest hustle and maintain ourselves.”

The young man, after realising his potential, and the viability of this venture, chose to share his idea with three of his friends: Wayne Jr. Amsterdam, Lakeram Tamasar and Naresh Deo, all of whom are now his business partners.

Working out of Sergobin’s yard at Coriverton, Berbice, the four men channeled their skills into unique and creative products such as aluminum windows, doors and ‘double design’ glass for buildings.

Operating under the name, ‘Fantastic Four Aluminum and Doors’, the four men have used their work to penetrate the market in Berbice, and are looking to expand in the near future.
“Like any good business, there are challenges, and one of our main challenges right now is access to materials. To get these materials, we have to travel all the way to Georgetown; and then there is the price factor… We would buy the materials here, but it is too costly,” said Sergobin.

Another “bump in the road” for these young men is the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has impacted every sector across the country.
“Due to COVID-19, customers are unable to finance their own projects; we are taking the necessary measures, but we are just not getting the business,” Sergobin lamented.
The young entrepreneur said his team plans to “weather the storm” and keep their eyes on the long-term goal, which includes maintaining a high standard and creating employment.
“It’s a dream to one day be able to finance our business, to the extent where we could import our own materials and equipment and not depend on local suppliers. But we are taking it one step at a time,” said Sergobin.

With a solid team, a big dream, and a clear vision, the entrepreneur believes that success is inevitable.