Having run a business in cane and bamboo products for 13 years, Mr. Kumar Kundgoal was not very open to change and new learning. He was satisfied with his business and the support provided by the Government. However, one day he realized that his business needed changes to provide better products in a more cost-effective way. He hired more people and started marketing.
Being selected as Navodyami winner in 2012, his urge to expand the business became stronger. "Navodyami has changed my life. Not only did I benefit financially, but I have also developed myself significantly. I was never interested in learning new things, so I never attended any seminars or programs to enhance my skills. I did not even think of improving the quality of my products or innovating something different from others. I kept doing what I used to do without bothering about customer needs and satisfaction. People bought them because they were made of good quality, nice decoration or just merely because of the function. There was nothing innovative about my products. Now I attend workshops, functions, programs and grab every opportunity I get, not only to market my products but also to gain knowledge about market needs, innovation and change that will make my services more customer friendly and increase sales he says, being overwhelmed by the improvement that Navodyami has brought to his life.
Now with a turnover of Rs. 20,000/- to Rs. 70,000/- per month, depending on season and exhibitions, Mr. Kumar wants to employ more people and create a social impact in the community. In the next five years, he aims at a steady turnover of Rs. 1,00,000 per month so that he can support more families and popularize his products extensively in the Hubli-Dharwad region. People are now inspired by my work and they want to follow my path. I feel good about myself, like a role model he says, giving major credit of his success to Navodyami.