A business in the right direction

Linushika Rupasinghe Dole sets shining example:

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

It is important to follow the passion to bring out the best in you, especially for women. As they are capable of doing many things apart from their core responsibilities there is always the possibility for them to engage in a viable commercial operation.

Their skills and talents could be harnessed to the advantage of family and society. When these capabilities are developed in many cases they go unnoticed. But it could turn out to be successful ventures contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

The venture started by Linushika Rupasinghe Dole is a shining example for the difference a woman can made. Her business has grown steadily over the years and is moving in the right direction to become an entity to watch out for.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Q: What is the business you are engaged in and how do you set about it?

A: I’m engaged in a business to do with designing, manufacturing and sale of bed linen and throw cushion covers. It is a very interesting and challenging business. My range includes pillow cases, bed sheets, flat sheets, fitted sheets, duvet covers, cushion covers, bolster pillow covers in various colours, designs and sizes. I offer different fabric types such as 100 percent cotton, plain satins, satin stripes, printed satins and linen.

I never liked the idea of working under someone’s supervision from the early days of my career. Even when I was schooling at Hillwood College Kandy. I had a dream to start something on my own. As a result I was keen on starting my own venture in a chosen field. Since I was gifted with an artistic mind and hand I was determined to move in the direction of fashion. I completed a fashion designing diploma under renowned fashion designer Senaka De Silva who groomed my talents to what it is today. His detailed training and advice helped me a lot in developing my business.

Getting involved in bed textiles business was mainly influenced by my husband Kamal Dole who co-owns Celcius Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, one of the leading manufacturers of luxury bedding products in the country.

Q: How do you balance your family life and business?

A: Striking a balance between family life and business is very important. You should know how to plan your day and manage the time. I am a person who loves to cook, and making cup cakes is my favourite hobby.

While running the business I do all the household work as I don’t have a domestic helper. I love to keep my home neat and tidy. Planning, organizing and prioritizing is vital to balance family life and business. My husband plays a big role in my business and he encourages me to realize my dreams and go after it.

Q: What were the challenges you faced?

A: Doing a business is anyway a challenge for anyone. Managing it properly and also balancing finances plays a big role in a successful business. Meeting customer demands, managing finances, maintaining quality are some of the challenges I faced.

The support I get from my family is exceptional. Especially my sister who helped to raise the capital required to start my business.

She has been supporting and encouraging me throughout my life in whatever challenge I take upon myself together with my mother and aunty.

Q: What are your goals?

A: Actually I’m at early stage in my business career. But I’m very happy about the response I get from my customers.

I want to grow my venture into a medium sized company and give employment opportunities to many youths in this country. I want to build my own brand of bed linen based on unique designs and best of quality.

Initially I had to distribute my products through my husband’s company, but now I’m working on expanding my business and develop my own brand ‘....Colours by Lin...’

My dream is to popularize my products under my own brand in the future.

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

A: It’s neither an advantage nor disadvantage. However it helps at a growing stage as my major target market is women. I can relate to them better and they are very supportive too.

It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman.

The most important thing is to be 100 percent dedicated to what you do and give your customers the real value for their money.

Q: What is your advice to women in business?

A: You can achieve anything in life if you have the vision, commitment and discipline.

It doesn’t matter whether you are female or male. Follow your dreams. There is so much opportunity out there for each and every person to build a successful career and life. Be ambitious in life, if you think you have what it takes, don’t look back, just move forward.

Q: What are your achievements in family life and business?

A: At this stage I would say there is a lot to achieve. We are small and humble. We try to help people around us as much as we can. My husband too started his business in a very small-scale and today they have managed to build a local icon. I hope to achieve something similar with the help of family and friends.

I’m happy with the progress I have made within this short period, I have big plans and I’m fully focused on achieving my goals and objectives.

Q: What is your contribution to society?

A: Apart from my business, I have another dream where I want to start a shelter for stray dogs. I love dogs and enjoy my time with them.

They are truly ‘man’s best friends’. I support organizations such as KACPAW who run a shelter for stray and sick dogs in Kandy.

I support them by sponsoring their meals and medicine on a monthly basis. I appeal to everybody to support such organizations that genuinely care for the animals. Most of us are blessed with quality life and we need to strive to make others happy which in turn will be rewarding and satisfying. It will sure to make this society a better place to live.