I began my business career in 1997 at my father’s “Jain Granites” in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Under my father’s guidance and leadership, I learnt the basics of business. He was meticulous in his work and taught me the same. My father embodies simplicity and genuineness and I have grown up with many of his ideals.

By 2005 I was ready to explore and test my business skills in the Granite export industry. I plunged into the industry without any background support. I set sail to Dubai and then to Bahrain in search of my destiny. It was here I realized the enormity of the world outside my small world in Coimbatore! I felt like an Astronaut lost in space! However, in Dubai I soaked in all the knowledge about the granite industry. If I had not ventured into this unknown, I would have assumed that I knew everything about my industry, sitting in Coimbatore. I was stunned by the discipline, ethics and the unique approach to business in UAE. I fell in love with the place.

It was a struggle for me to get a foothold in the granite and stones industry in UAE. After a taxing effort, I launched my first company in Sharjah, “Al Firdous Paradise” in 2007. Al Firdous means heaven and is considered to be a lucky name. The name of my company roughly translated to “Paradise in Heaven”. I successfully catered to the growing needs of granites, stones and tiles in the rapidly growing UAE for a year. Then, in 2008 recession hit the granite industry hard and I got an idea to start a new venture in India.

In 2009, I started “Surabhi Granites” in Coimbatore. This was my first independent venture in India. I began with 3 staff members and a small office. The business gained traction and started growing steadily over the next year. I made new clients and consolidated the older ones.

In 2010, I opened a branch of “Surabhi Granites” in Palakkad, Kerala. Here I successfully catered to the housing needs of this area and the clientele grew steadily. I was blessed to have a competent and professional staff in both the branches.

In 2014, I expanded my horizon and started “Surabhi Build Mart” in Coimbatore. This is a complete end-to-end building solution under one roof. I also connected my clients to engineers and contractors to help bring their dream homes into reality.

In 2015, I started “Big C” in Coimbatore. My objective was to provide high quality imported tiles and sanitary ware to my customers in Coimbatore. I gradually expanded the product range to gift items and home décor items. I am expanding this venture via the franchise mode, pan India.

In 2016, I decided to venture into the food industry. I registered “Swarna Bhoomi Food Products” and the brand “Manam”. I am in the process of setting up the factory unit to produce food products for both exports and domestic sales.

In 2016, I started “Surabhi Building Materials, LLC” in Fujairah, UAE. This unit is exclusively used for distribution on RAK Ceramics.

Again in 2016, we (my family) formed a trust “K.J. Jaiprakash Memorial Charitable Trust” in the memory of my father-in-law. Under this trust we started a school for special children and named it “Saadhya”. Through Saadhya, we strive to create a caring environment for children with mental and learning disabilities. Over time we train them on job skills to help them become self-sustainable. (www.saadhya.org).

In 2017, I opened a branch of “Surabhi Building Materials” in Chamrajnagar, Karnataka.

My next business plan is to make it big in the food industry.