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Don't Fear Risks
By A Staff Writer
From merchandising to a chain of restaurants, Siraj’s saga is one of inspiration for those who want to be self-made entrepreneurs.
He is an entrepreneur with a difference. He not only thinks big, but also does it differently. Meet Siraj, owner of Mumbai’s famous ‘Millionair’ boutique and Pune’s Yana Sizzler’s. His meteoric rise, first in the merchandising and then as a hotelier, reads like a fairy-tale. Through sheer hard work, grit and determination, he found his way into the hearts of millions.
His father’s business collapsed when he was doing matriculation. “We were fighting for survival,” said Siraj nostalgically.” “I still remember that one day, I held my mother’s hand tightly, and told her that I would look after her and dad.”
“We lived in a tiny all-purpose room at Mahim. I started working as a salesman at Farook Saudagar Darvesh. When I turned 21, I was ready with a first business plan. I always believe in breaking new grounds,” he says, adding, “I decided to start a boutique for the elite class offering them the exclusive collection. But then I had no finance”. It took no time for Siraj to convince his financers. He has the ability to convince even the hard core through his excellent communication skills.
He set up a small Boutique at Peddar road and called it ‘States Boutique’. The name caught on like a fever. ‘‘Initially, I had local clients, but the name ‘States’ helped,’’ he says. And then came a windfall. The Indian cricket team members started visiting the Boutique. Gradually, film stars and Mumbai’s elite also began to patronise the boutique.
“But then,” his eyes soften, “My parents’ prayers and brothers’ support was all I had initially. It was a long tough journey. I would not have achieved success without their support.” From merchandising, to a chain of restaurants, Siraj’s saga is one of inspiration for those who want to be self-made entrepreneurs.
But always, there was a method to madness. “My dream had been to buy a proper house for my family. And in my early 30s, I had bought a eight-bedroom apartment in Byculla,” he smiles. Siraj’s journey into Planet Palate began in the mid-90s on a humble note. ‘‘I felt greatly constrained by the unprofessional, almost medieval ways of running the restaurant business in India. I had earlier travelled around the world and got inspiration”. Employing his acumen, Siraj exploited the Indian love for food to the hilt. Preparing the pitch for a future food empire, he entered into a strategic alliance with Kobe’ in 1990’s. Today he manages a chain of fast food restaurants and business empire spread across South East Asia, Gulf and North America.
Suave and soft-spoken, Siraj dotes on his younger brothers, Asif and Afzal. Both of them work along with him. ‘‘ I am against promoting the undeserving to the gaddi (throne). Once you compromise professionalism, you will be inviting disasters. I hate safe players who always tread the trodden path and fear risks. I believe that if you always play safe, you risk more,’’ he says.
Last year, Siraj caught the imagination of the Puneites with the launch of Yana Sizzlers and Wok.“My source of inspiration is my mother,” he confesses. The secret of his success, according to Siraj, is hard work, with no compromise on service and quality. “The need to improvise and innovate has been a constant theme at Millionair, Kobe and Yana. At the same time, utmost care is taken for buying raw materials and these are checked by Quality professionals,” said Siraj.
Inspite of being a millionaire at a very young age, Siraj is a modest human being. “I always thank Allah for the success,” he says.
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