According to a survey by Deloitte, women continue to be underrepresented on corporate boards worldwide, and progress towards reversing this tendency remains modest. When this is the scenario at the highest level, it is simple to comprehend the situation at the lowest level. And the garment industry, which is one of the major employers of women globally, is not an exception. Even today, most the clothes manufacturing facilities are driven by men, and it still has lower rates of female leaders. There are, however, a limited number of female entrepreneurs that braved the opportunity and are now thriving in the textile and apparel business despite the existence of such a prejudiced environment. One such businesswoman is Indira Priyadarsini, the Founder and Director of FB Haus.

Indira, a native of Palakkad - Kerala, spent over a decade and a half working for different organizations in Tirupur before deciding to launch a partnership-based business. A decade later, Indira chose to explore the industry further under her direction, resulting in the establishment of FB Haus. Engaging in an exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Indira Priyadarsini spoke about her entrepreneurial journey so far.

What Motivated You To Establish Fb Haus? Tell Us About The Underlying Idea Behind The Company And Some Of Its Most Unique Features.

When I first arrived in Tirupur, I had no intention of becoming an entrepreneur. The only thing I ever wanted to do was explore, learn and overcome the trials of the industry from day to day life. However, as events transpired and I advanced in my job, I was presented with the chance to lead an organization. After then, there was no more room for expansion. As a result, I resolved to take the next step as an entrepreneur and take on all of the obstacles alone if I were to stay in Tirupur. Hence, it wasn't that I aspired to be an entrepreneur; rather, I was seeking a greater challenge because I enjoy resolving adversity. That's how I went about starting my own business.

Tell Us About The Various Roles And Responsibilities You Shoulder As The Director For Fb Haus. What Are Your Primary Focus Areas In Your Current Role?

It is my job as an entrepreneur to take on a role in every aspect of my organization. However, my primary tasks are dealing with customer communications, marketing and new strategy development, supply chain management, financial planning, and everything else that requires decision-making.

What Are Some Of The Most Pressing Challenges That You Encounter As A Business Leader? How Do You Successfully Mitigate These Challenges?

We collaborate with a wide range of businesses in India, and we also sell textiles to several nations worldwide. Every customer has a unique set of needs, therefore communicating effectively with each one and guaranteeing customer satisfaction is one of the biggest challenges we face. Numerous problems arise when exporting our products, particularly to clients in other countries. Since ours is a handcrafted product and it takes time for international customers to grasp the whole process of manufacturing a garment, its benefits and drawbacks. Our experiences with past clients have been varied and rewarding, and we've gained fresh insights into a variety of topics with each new engagement.

"Our experiences with past clients have been varied and rewarding, and we've gained fresh insights into a variety of topics with each new engagement"

When exporting apparels to other nations, there could be innumerable issues that could pop up from global market scenario, economic factors, government policies to the floor level fabric issues, garment outcome, timelines, logistics, documentation, payments, and so on, therefore clear and level headedness and is required to guarantee that these activities go well. The fashion sector also keeps transforming in terms of fashion, mechanics, operation every day, therefore to stay on top of things, we have to be evolving too. Travelling adds on to a real time experience of people like us.

In Your Opinion What Are Some Of The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved Throughout Your Professional Journey? What Has Been The Driving Force Behind Your Success As A Business Leader?

I am a woman who has achieved success entirely on my own. My mother passed away when I was very young, and my father took over the role of my mom too. However, there were times when I was left to make my own decisions and this paved a way for my individuality. Having been on my own since I was 18, I consider myself a self-made woman because of my ability to conquer both personal and professional challenges without succumbing to it. Then, I moved to a whole-new city of Tirupur which I haven’t even seen before to begin my professional journey, and subsequently, step by step, I was able to undertake the entrepreneurial path and prospered.

In India, especially the South- the manufacturing, import & export industries are still driven by men, and I am one of the few female business executives who have been able to forge a successful career in this field. I consider my entire trajectory to date a significant milestone, which started as a merchandiser and subsequently led to entrepreneurship.

Regarding my driving force, I would say that my passion for my organization and my desire to work in a highly disciplined manner encourage me daily. I'm a planner who constantly thinks ahead and has an optimistic outlook. In addition, constantly reviewing my work and assessing how I can improve my business results in improved performance every time.

Drawing From Your Experience As An Experienced Business Leader, What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Who Also Aspire To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

Never set out to be someone in particular; instead, strive to continually improve your skills and knowledge in the fields that interest you. Maintain this even after you've reached the pinnacle of success; there is always space for growth and improvement. Lastly, embrace integrity in your work and personal life.

Indira Priyadarsini, Director, FB Haus

 Indira, a native of Palakkad - Kerala, did her Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma in Software Engineering, and Master of Business Administration in International Business in Tamil Nadu. She began her career as a merchandiser and worked her way up through the ranks. Indira chose to start FB Haus because of her passion for the textile business and quite keen to take on the responsibility of becoming a sole influencer.