Max products enjoy wide popularity:
Ex Army officer conquers the world of business
Sanjeevi Jayasuriya
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. |