Neizulo Therie
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | Dec ember 27
From a humble start selling orchid flowers, an entrepreneur Neizulo Therie has today earned a big name by running a computer agency in Kohima. His parents were self- employed as cultivators and part time church workers. Being the eldest among five siblings, Therie came to realize that he should be earning to meet his own expenses to share the responsibilities of his parents since his high school days.
“I still remember of my first business trip to Kohima in 1994 when I was in Class 9 selling orchid flowers at Old NST Kohima which was collected from the jungle in my locality in partnership with a classmate,” he recalled.
He said at that time he could not convince his customers at the main road so he went to a rich family from his locality and sold it for Rs. 240 and came home with a new trouser brought with that money. “That was a real life challenging experience I had,” he says while pointing out that life was very tough when he was in College. Therie also says that going to college in faith without even a penny on his pocket was tougher. “Yet, God provided me of all my needs,” Therie said adding that he started earning Rs. 500 as a helper from one of his uncle’s computer shop.
After graduation, he said, he was forced to join a government job by his parents, but he opted for business in 2004 with a saving of Rs.70, 000 and a free loan of Rs. 1, 50,000 and from there he started a computer retail centre called M/s Eastern Computer Agency, Kohima as a partnership.
“Slowly real business has happened by way of profit and sometime loss as well. Loan after loan, burden after burden, I have even spent several sleepless nights during those days,” he said.
There were days when he sincerely prayed to God to spare his life before he repays his debts “because my parents would starve to death if I give my burden of liabilities to them.”
Yet, after 10 years of struggle, he came to realize that he finally became the sole proprietor of his own in August 2010- Eastern Computer Agencies by God’s grace. “Amazing! God has been the source of my success to this far,” he said. Therie said that reading of business literature books and applying selectively has helped him in many ways. Meeting business people and visiting metro cities besides going abroad on several occasions have also been his source of innovation and ideas of expansion.
He maintained that business is a risk taking profession, saying “If you cannot take risk, you might sooner or later land up in trouble without even refunding your principle investment. Be slow but it has to be consistent in whatever type of business you do. Convince your customer by way of caring and quality service. You will realize that trust begins with a small start.”
“Greed is an enemy of business. Get little profit and let your sale flows. So be steady and expand your establishment,” that is what Therie conveyed to the youngsters.
Till today, he said, we have an enterprising team of 21 members under Eastern Computer Agencies, Nagaland, Kohima, working progressively as technical engineers and advisors in various disciplines, such as- Computer Sales, Consultancy & Training, Software Development, Security & Networking, Generator & Electricity, Furniture etc.
The firm has been a permanent member of the North East Computer Traders’ Association, Guwahati, Assam and an empanelled firm by the Government of Nagaland since 2005.
“Being in the IT service industries, Customer Care & After Sales Service have been source of inspiration to nurture our 3 Kohima outlets as of today,” he said adding we are looking forward to empower with more new and innovative technologies and to expand to other areas of Nagaland and beyond in the days to come.
Therie pointed out that self-confidence; discipline and trustworthiness are the three most important weapons he had learned from his experience of 12 years. He added that to him, God alone is the only source of all those important characters to be possessed by an individual.
Further, Therie said that he is still looking forward to a new height in his business. “Together we can contribute small things to our society through our humble profession,” he says.
