Samuel B. Chang was born and brought up in small village called Sipongsang village under Tuensang District. After completing his studies from Delhi, he completed a degree in sound and audio Engineering from Chennai in 2011. A young talented self-taught entrepreneur, Chang is well known in Tuensang for his Sol Studios which produce significant work on recycling of woods and unique craftmanship.
Chang’s work are sought after for its endurance and high artistic value, with a fusion of indigenous craft and modern techniques.
“I usually craft wood designs by using different species of woods and bring out its absolute beauty also combine epoxy resin and create something unique and elegant” says by Chang.
Sol Studios offers a diverse range of furniture and handicrafts: wood table, chopping board, traditional wooden wall clock, cups and trays, frames and so on.
In an interview with Nagaland Tribune, Samuel B. Chang, talks about his creative work and the challenges of an entrepreneur in Tuensang District. While he dabbled on woodworks and handicrafts for a long time, Chang recalls his first work with epoxy were he made a small coffee table using a tree trunk, maintaining its original shape and design, four years ago.
Although, Chang earned a degree in sound and audio Engineering, he realised his degree did not provide a sustainable income in a district like Tuensang so he decided to shift to the profession of woodworking.
With the support of his family and well wishers, Chang expressed optimism, “My journey has been smooth so far. It has been almost four to five years since I have been attached with wood art, thanks from the support of family and well wishers.”
However, Chang also notes that coming from one of the remote parts of Nagaland also has its challenges in terms of availability, accessibility and transportation of materials, accessories, tools etc.
Sometimes, it would take the young entrepreneur months to complete to complete his works as it took time to deliver required tools and materials in Tuensang. However, the emergence of private services like blue dart, delhivery etc in recent years has provided some respite for the entrepreneur. “It’s a huge relief now,” says Chang.
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Borrowing the name ‘Sol’ from his gaming profile name, Chang wants to convey that Sol Studios is “not only about doing carpentry but creating something unique and having different perspective towards the art of wood working”.
In order to have a sustainable career, Chang is of the view that one has to adapt and develop productive ideas. Chang also shared that capital and upgradation to advanced tools are of essence for entrepreneurial ventures that can sustain.
For the future, Chang envisions to produce high end product “which is unique in its own natural terms”. He also hopes to start a small scale industry, provide employment and upskill local wood craftsmen.
To young entrepreneurs, Chang advises, “Many of the young businesses we work with strive to recycle as much as possible, but they struggle to understand how to quantify or truly measure the impact of recycling efforts”.
He further encouraged upcoming youths to cope with new ideas with interest and seek self-employment understanding local requirements and availability of resources.
