Auto trading her forte :

Koshila climbs high in business ladder

In Sri Lanka although women contribute more than men to the national GDP their participation is much less in many other areas including business and politics. Some women who do well in business are not exposed.

Therefore, Daily News Business begins a Women in Business column to encourage and highlight women in business to fill this void. We invite women in business (large and medium sectors to send their details to [email protected] or by post. The suitable applicants will be featured in this column.

It is a popular belief that women have more strength than men to stand firm in difficult situations. Though they are considered to be soft creatures, when it comes to business they are on par with men.

Managing Directress Sun Lanka Auto Traders (Pvt) Ltd., Koshila Erathne is one of those who have climbed high in the business ladder. She is engaged in the auto trading field where a few women are involved.

Sun Lanka Auto Traders (Pvt) Ltd was set up in May 16,2001. With eight years of hard work the company has become one of the largest pioneer organizations with an influential outlet network, providing the best products on vehicle accessories, vehicle security alarm systems and car audio and video systems.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Q. What is your business and how did you set about it?

A. Sun Lanka Auto Traders deals with vehicle accessories, alarm systems, reversing sensors and DVD players related to the motor industry. I have one other director from China. We started business with our first branch at Darley Road, Maradana. The company imports goods from China. We have expanded our branch network to seven and we have a workforce of 100 employees.

Q. How do you balance family life and business?

A. I have a plan. I have separated homework from business work. When I am at home I only do house work and do not carry office work home. I have flexible working hours. I start work at seven in the morning and leave office around 6.30 in the evening. I have a very supportive husband and a daughter.

They encourage me to continue with my business and it's a blessing to have them. My mother is with me and she too is very supportive towards me. My daughter is 18 years and I encourage her to do her studies well. I accompany her for her tuition classes and she will sit the A/L examination this year. My husband too is involved in this field and we have a better understanding. My success is due to their continued support.

Q. What are the challenges you faced?

A. Being a woman in the automobile industry was a little difficult at the beginning. People look at in a different way. I had the determination and courage to face every obstacle as I had a penchant for this field. I like vehicles and my hobby is driving. Our family owns a fleet of buses and vehicles have been part of my life from my tender age. I have the knowledge to dismantle an engine and re-fix it.

I can handle it very well. This knowledge I gained by watching my husband at work. My husband is very supportive and encourages me a great deal. My Director also persuaded me to go ahead with our business dealings. Our aim is to satisfy the customer.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. I firmly believe in doing anything the correct way. Whatever task entrusted to you do it with dedication and determination. Do not change the course mid way and engage in another field. This will deviate your attention and also hamper the progress of the venture. You need to have a clear vision and courage to reach the top. This will also give the customer a clear understanding of what your business is.

Q. Being a women was it an advantage to be in business?

A. Not really. It was difficult to continue in business at the early stages as most people had the notion that the field I had chosen was not suited for a woman. This attitude was very discouraging. However, I was determined to go ahead.

Q. What were your achievements in business and family?

A. We started business with a single branch and now we have expanded to seven. I am happy about this achievement. We have a separate office building and business is well organized. We have increased our staff from three employees to 100. It gives me pleasure and a great deal of satisfaction to think that I have taken care of the families of 100 employees. We are the pioneers in vehicle alarm systems.

We have become a household name. At the beginning it was difficult to educate customers, but now we are a reputed and recognized company dealing with vehicle accessories. Our brand and services are of high quality and this is endorsed by the response we receive from our customers. We also conducted a market survey and the feedback is positive. This was the main reason for us to branch out.

In my family life, it gives me immense satisfaction to be a working mother. I dislike being a housewife. My daughter is proud of me being a business woman. At the end of the day it is my family and well-being that is more important for me than any other achievement.

Q. What are your future goals?

A. I had this dream of dealing with the Northern and the Eastern province customers. Now these provinces have been liberated. I hope that my dream will come true. There will be a good market especially in Batticaloa and Trincomalee and other areas.

We plan to carry out business and to expand our branch network. I have given my daughter the freedom to do as she wants and hope she will do well in life. I am fortunate to get the continued support from my Chinese director Song Lang and hope to develop my business further to serve a larger clientele.

Q. What is your contribution to the society?

A. I have set an example to show that even in a men-dominated field women can shine. It also has paved the way for other women to enter this field as only a few of them are involved at present. We donated 92 bus engines worth Rs. 50 million for the Ekala bus project to support the Government's effort to develop the transport sector. I have provided employment for 100 workers and they are insured.

We have many expectations, one being to expand the business. Our employees too share the same sentiments. We value our customers and their satisfaction is the key. We give a one-year warranty on our products and have an excellent after sales service. They need not fear to deal with us. We are proud that they have faith in us.