Pasifika Breakfast welcomes Johnnie Timu
At this week's Pasifika Breakfast, Johnnie Timu - co-founder and owner of Brown Pride - shared with Pacific students his journey from school to now business owner. Johnnie's older brother was a former Rosmini student but Johnnie was predominantly brought up in South Auckland. He talked about his own lessons and having to turn his life around, going from an expelled student to becoming the Deputy Head Boy at De La Salle College.
With his closest friends at De La Salle they have created a multi-purpose business which includes a gym, barbershop and merchandise. With plans to expand gyms in NZ and Australia, Johnnie also shared with students that they will be taking their merch to New York Fashion Week later this year. This goes directly against those who told him he will never be able to have a successful business.
Johnnie named the business Brown Pride after his own experience of not being comfortable as a young brown Samoan to embracing his culture as his 'super power'.
Over the coming terms, various speakers organised by the school and the Pacific parents committee will continue to share their journeys.
