From CFO to Tile Boss – Noka’s bold journey with Vila Modern Tiles

August 25, 2025 9:39 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Tensly Sumbe.

When Tom Noka first started out working at Tahos Timber Company, he never imagined one day he would be running a tile business in Port Vila. For three years, he worked there before moving to Fiji to pursue a degree in Business Commerce, majoring in Finance, at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus.

After graduating, Noka returned home and built a strong career as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), serving more than 15 years at the Seventh-day Adventist Head Office in Port Vila.

Tiles were not part of his world—until he began building his own house. He quickly realised how tiles could completely transform a home, making it both stylish and easy to maintain.

“Tiles make a house look nice and clean,” Noka explained. “Before, many people used colorful floor mats, but now more and more families are choosing tiles to brighten their homes” Noka stated.

When the former owner of Vila Modern Tiles decided to sell during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noka saw an unexpected opening.

With no prior experience in the industry, he made a bold decision to buy the business. “I wanted a business that was different from the usual ones Ni-Vanuatu people owned,” he said.

Since then, Noka has led Vila Modern Tiles through challenges, including relocating from its Port Vila town site to a new space at Fletcher Construction’s warehouse in Stella Mare Stage 1 after the December 17 earthquake.

Today, the business supplies tiles not only in Port Vila but also across other islands in Vanuatu.

From small art tiles to large 60 x 120cm designs, Vila Modern Tiles now offers a wide range of options for homes, bathrooms, swimming pools, from sleek modern to timeless classics.

“We are regarded as the only tile hardware store in Vanuatu, because we only sell tiles and tile accessories,” Noka stated with pride.