To cater to growing customer base :

Batik industry needs support

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

Challenges make people strong and bitter experiences give them the courage to move forward. Life is full of uncertainty where determination and commitment become key ingredients to achieve success.

Kanthi Kodikara is a shining example of this combination as she runs a remarkable batik business under the brand name Kanthi Batik. Her path was not entirely smooth where she faced many ups and downs and emerged a winner at the end.

She was interviewed for the Daily News Business Excerpts of the interview:

Q. What business are you engaged in and how do you set about it?

A. I am engaged in batik business. From a humble beginning I have made great strides in the industry. The business has expanded into a medium scale venture where I cater to a growing customer base. The customer feed back is very encouraging and I move forward with confidence.

From my childhood I was a clever artist and have won many prizes in school. I improved on this skill, which was of invaluable help to develop the batik business.

I worked under Vipula Dharmawardena who is one of the leading batik industrialists and harness my skills in designing for ten long years. With this experience I started Kanthi Batik from a humble beginning and it has reached satisfactory levels today.

I design sarees for Miss Sri Lanka contestants and also few banks in the vicinity. My products have also been sent to many countries including America, Australia, India and Dubai.

I provide my designs for religious purposes here and in India. These clothes are designed to cover Buddha relics and also being used in temples.

Kanthi creations are done at my home premises and I am the sole proprietor of the business. I change designs from time to time according to the changing fashion trends. This is how I retain customers.

Q. How do you balance your family and business?

A. I am a widow. I have a grown up daughter. I totally engaged in this business after my husband’s demise. My daughter supports me and her encouragement helped me to come this long. I brought up my daughter shouldering parental responsibilities all by myself and happy that she did her studies well. She learnt five

languages and is employed in a leading company now. I am proud of her achievements and motivate her to reach further heights in her life.

I manage time efficiently and effectively. This allows me quality time with my daughter. As I run the business alone it is necessary to plan my day and work accordingly. I am methodical and this enables me to operate the business smoothly. I supply products to my clients on time and they appreciate my work, which has resulted in repeat orders.

Q. What were the challenges you faced?

A. Some of the suppliers delay payments and this is a drawback to continue business. I have obtained assistance from banks and I am a loyal customer. Initially I mortgage my property for a loan, which I have already repaid. However, due to various reasons now I deal only on a cash basis and this has made my life easy. There is a growing demand for my products and I always strive to meet the customer expectations.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I want to lead my life without a burden to anyone in society. I like to see my daughter doing well in her life.

I also want to develop the business further. I have trained many students and encouraged them to engage in the batik industry to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

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

A. It was an advantage. But, if you are capable then gender does not matter. I have the courage to face any challenge and happy for what I have achieved so far. I consider myself as an example for other women to face the life courageously.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. Women should work with dedication and never be lazy. They need to do things properly.

Women need to be multi-tasked. I have helped many women to acquire the skill of drawing which is the basis for batik designing. It gives me great pleasure to see them do well in life.

Q. What are your achievements in family and business?

A. My family is centred on my daughter and whatever she achieves is an achievement for me. She is beautiful and talen

ted and sure to win her life. The business was started by me with a lot of effort. I am happy the way it stands today and the progress made.

There is the possibility to expand it further. It gives me great satisfaction to look back on the path I travelled. Though it was not a bed of roses I manage to turn adversities to my benefit.

I need financial support to expand this venture where more employment opportunities could be generated. If an institute could provide me with funding at low cost this would be an easy task. The business could benefit immensely with the expansion, as I will be in a position to supply more.

Q. What is your contribution to society?

A. I do social service and help the needy. I donate my products for those who go on pilgrimage to India. I believe that these meritorious deeds will give me inner strength. This may be the secret behind my success.

I request from society to help sustain the batik industry in the long run. For this if banks can support us by wearing batik dresses once a week, the industry could be developed further. This will enable the batik industry a better future.