‘Efforts and determination pay dividends’ :

Batiks her forte

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

Women are creative and talented. Most of them do not depend on the Government to provide jobs for them. Managing Director of ‘Isuru’ Batik Mallika Ranasinghe has climbed the business ladder due to her efforts and determination. She abandoned her desire to be a dancing teacher to continue in the business that her brother taught her. Today she stands tall among others in the batik industry.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Q. What is the type of your business and how do you set about it?

A. I started my business on a small scale as a cottage industry. When I was sitting my Advanced Level examination my father passed away. We had financial difficulties and I was looking for jobs. I was keen on becoming a dancing teacher. I had the talent for dancing as well as painting and art work. However, I could not pursue it as I could not find a suitable job. I gave up the idea of working under someone and joined my elder brother’s batik factory.

As I did not have enough money, I only turned out a few items such as handkerchiefs and skirts. I sold these to a woman in the neighbourhood. Gradually I increased production and also the customer base. This was easy because customers appreciated my work and the demand grew steadily.

I gained experience working with my brother. I raised some money from my sales and purchased the items. I expanded the business gradually. After my marriage in 1989 I registered the business as ‘Isuru’ Batiks in 1992. I started with two employees who were trained by me and now I have 15. I managed the entire business. There were many challenges and I faced them successfully. It was never a smooth road for me. I reached this position due to sheer determination and courage. My husband extended every support and he was a tower of strength.

Q. How do you balance family life and business?

A. My husband was very supportive and this gave me a great deal of freedom to continue with the business. He encourages me a great deal. I have two children, a son and a daughter. I have trained my daughter in household work. She can run the house in my absence.

I complete my day’s work irrespective of the time. I get up early and attend to all the household work before I start my business work.

This gives me the flexibility to work throughout the day. I work according to a pre-plan and this enables me to manage time effectively. It is important to strike a balance between family life and business.

Q. What are the challenges you faced?

A. I suffered financial setbacks in the early stages of the business. However, I overcame them and the People’s Bank too supported me. Fortunately, I did not encounter challenges from my fellow industrialists. My products are of high quality and I had to compete with low quality products.

This was indeed a challenge for me. Although this was discouraging I overcame it with time.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. I advise women not to go in search of Government jobs. It is better to engage in a self- employment project rather than wasting time doing nothing productive. Women should work with dedication and determination. They have the strength and their talents should be put to good use. Whatever the business they engage in it should be of a high quality and standard. It is important to be friendly when dealing with customers.

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

A. Yes. Women are more friendly than men. This gives them the edge in the business world to sustain, continue and grow.

This is an added advantage for a woman. Women have the courage to face challenges.

Q. What were your achievements in business and family?

A. I have won awards since 2000. My first award was the Wayamba Wijayabhimani award which was presented by the Wayamba Board of Commerce and Industries. I won awards every year from 2003. The most recent award was the Bronze Award for the Best Entrepreneur under the provincial level small category presented by the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries at a ceremony last week. I feel that awards are encouraging and it also gives recognition. This is very important.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I expect to expand the ‘Isuru’ batiks and to provide employment to 50 people. I also wish to increase my export volume and use a special packaging system to attract foreign buyers. There is a good demand for our batik products in the global market and I plan to become a leading batik exporter.

Q. What is your contribution to the society?

A. I am the President of the Sandalanka Handicraft Society. The society provides training for youth in handicraft. This helps to create self-employment in the village.

We also help them to find markets. I have provided employment for 15 people in my factory. I train my employees well and they work in a pleasant environment. I visited China and India and I share my expertise with my employees. I also do many social service projects in the village. We need to preserve the batik industry for our future generation. It could also earn much foreign exchange. Industrialists need the Government’s patronage to survive.

As a policy, if the Government officials wear batik dresses for official functions it will promote the industry and it will bring long-term benefits. This will sure brighten the lives of those involved in the batik industry.