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| Beena Justin, Thodupuzha |
The newly married couple, Beena and Justin, who had just become nouveau entrepreneurs by bagging an order to manufacture electric posts for KSEB, were in for a very trying times in their first venture. Five trade unions faced them on the familiar turf of strikes and lockouts. Not bowing to the threats and pressure tactics was for them an issue of survival. They fought inch by inch to keep the nascent company alive.
Slowly the strikers lost their momentum and upper hand. And the couple was on the way to dream things bigger. With the backing of that experience Justin thought of another venture, this time manufacturing designer tiles for car porch etc. In those days, such tiles were brought from Tamil Nadu and one had to wait for the order to be delivered. Beena was startled by Justin’s suggestion to becpme the managing director of this venture. Slowly their brand of heavy duty tiles became a hit with Kerala clients. From a homemaker she was making the transition to a tile maker.
The success soon led them to diversify into other areas like tiles for outdoors, steps etc. The company now has five manufacturing units.
And the leader of this venture has bagged the State award for best women entrepreneur. According to Beena, managing home is a more tricky affair than managing a business venture.
Courtesy:
Vijeesh Gopinath, Vanitha, June 15-30, 2010
Contributed by: Administrator
