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| Gracy, Mahila Apparels, Thuravoor |
“If you are ready for hardwork, then even needle and thread can be your means to become a successful entrepreneur.” This is the firm belief of Gracy who runs a 1.5 crore turnover company employing 1500.
Daring to go against the wishes of her dear ones, Gracy who hailed from a well-to-do family, had married a bus driver. Pushed by life to face the economic reality of homefront, especially after the birth of her children, she sought a means to augment the family income. Towards this end she learned stitching.
So 20 years ago, she became a home-operated tailor. Nighties were her main production which she sold directly to the neighbours.
When the institute where she learned stitching was being closed down, she was offered the same for a small sum. Gracy thus got 3 stitching machines from the deal. She purchased another 8 more and started a small venture in a rented facility at Thuravoor. The enterprise steadily progressed. Later it became a 16 worker concern.
She further expanded the scope of her activities by bringing in 5 other partners, pooling 25000 each, obtaining a loan of 25 lakhs and starting a training institute cum dress-making unit. Since it was a collective of women, they christened it Mahila Apparels.
The unit of Mahila Apparels at SIDCO Industrial Zone employs 80. It is the mother unit of 73 other units spread in various districts.
“Earlier our turnover was 20 lakhs. Now it is 1.5 crores. Surgical gowns, school uniforms, branded shirts, ladies tops etc are our major productions. Now we have started exporting also. Gents’ shirts, kids wear and ladies kurties are the main export items,” she says.
The employees consisting mainly of women are the mainstay of the company. Rs. 20000 they get every month is the basis of the contented workforce. “Besides, we go out with the Managing Director and other Directors every month for a movie and then have food together,” says Sathi, an employee of 12 years.
The State Industrial Development Corporation had selected Gracy as the best entrepreneur in 2015.
Courtesy: C. Sandeepini (text), Sreejith P Raj (photo), Grihalakshmi, November 16-30, 2016
