Daily News Online
 

Monday, 5 October 2009

News Bar »

News: Govt tackles cyber crime ...        Political: Cabinet to decide ...       Business: Unit Trust stable and secure ...        Sports: Western Province emerge champs ...

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | SUPPLEMENTS  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Max products enjoy wide popularity:

Ex Army officer conquers the world of business

A career in the Army is considered a privilege and it disciplines oneself. Women joining the Army was not a common thing in the past. From a distinguished career of 15 years in the Army, Anusha Gamage has today conquered the world of business due to her untiring efforts. Her products are popular not only in the local market but also in the global market as well.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

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

A. I market intimate garments for women and have a factory and a fashion design studio in Malambe. I started business with five employees in 2007. Today it caters to the global market. My designs were admired by an international buyer and I ventured into the global market by supplying my products under the brand name ‘Max’. I cater mostly to the Middle East market apart from the local market under the brand name Niagara. My products in the local market was to give an opportunity for our women to enjoy an international quality garment.

Q. How do you balance family life and business?


Anusha Gamage

A. My husband was a senior manager at MAS Holdings. I have two sons. As my husband was in the same field it was a plus point to engage in business. He has a wealth of experience and is very supportive. He encourages me to realize my dreams and move forward. I gain a great deal of satisfaction by providing my staff with the facilities and a pleasant and homely environment to work. We work as a family and promote team work. The factory is run according to the concept of ‘Product ownership’ where every employee believes that the factory belongs to them. This makes them work efficiently and also improve productivity.

I retired from the Army when my children were young as I wanted to be with them and moult them to be good citizens. They are now grown up and I only need to guide them. This gives me a lot of free time to engage in business.

The factory is in close proximity to my home and it also helps me to save time on travelling. I always wanted to do something productive as I was an active Army officer and did not wish to waste time. I manage time and work accordingly. I am fortunate to have an understanding and supportive husband who has always been a tower of strength. This made me easy to balance my family life and business.

Q. What are the challenges you faced?

A. The biggest challenge is to retain the employees. Most of them are from the outstations and when they go on leave they tend to stay at home without returning to work.

This is a problem I am faced with. When I do not have sufficient staff it hampers production and I cannot deliver the goods on time and orders get delayed.

We need Government support too.

We are also faced with the problem of a fluctuating power supply. There are frequent power failures. This is a serious problem when there is an order to be delivered in time. I have been obliged to cancel orders due to power failures and this is a big blow to my business. However, I face challenges in a positive manner.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. Every woman has talents. What is lacking is identifying and harnessing the talents. Women could go forward with their talents. They should have a clear vision. I do not like to see women being idling.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I have set a goal to market my products to every woman in Sri Lanka. My products are well suited to our climate and is also d urable. It will be a pleasure to see all women wearing Niagara lingerie.

“I export my products to Dubai and I hope to expand my market base to countries such as Brazil, Russia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. My immediate target is the Indian market where there is a huge retail market available. I want to make the Niagara brand world famous.


Anusha Gamage with her family. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe

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

A. I am a friendly person and this was an advantage to be in business. I could attract buyers and this helped me to expand my business. I had 15 years’ experience in the Army and this gives me a great deal of confidence to move forward. I believe in my strength and convert disadvantages into advantages.

Q. What were your achievements in business and family?

A. I am an active member of the Ex- Army Women’s Association. I won the Best Leadership Award in 2007. In business I have won loyal buyers and customers. They help me to sustain my business. I promote working smart for working hard. I have agents in Kandy, Colombo and Galle. I motivate my staff with promotions.

I consider my employees as my family members and treat them well. They respect me and have a high regard for me. I derive immense satisfaction by making them happy.

I also consider my success in my business venture in a short time as a remarkable achievement. Today it has grown steadily and provides employment for 40 people.

Q. What is your contribution to the society?

A. I do social service, especially for disabled soldiers and their families through the Ex- Army Women’s Association. We conduct shows and concerts to raise funds for the benefit of the war heroes’ families.

I also support orphanage children. We organize an annual get-together for our staff members. I present a gifts to the employees on their birthdays. They are happy to receive such gifts. Their smiles gives me a lot of happiness.

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Head of Global Sales and Marketing - IT Services - MSL
www.lanka.info
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
Donate Now | defence.lk
www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk
LANKAPUVATH - National News Agency of Sri Lanka
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk

| News | Editorial | Business | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2009 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor