India’s 23.9 percent GDP contraction in April-June quarter of 2020, owing to the world’s strictest lockdown starting March 24, made it the worst-performing major economy among the G7 + India + China. However, depicting the state of India’s economy which was the worst in four decades, where many debated over whether India’s economic performance was indeed as poor, there were still many business leaders in the space fighting back and strengthening the economy as exports & international marketing significantly impact the GDP growth of the country.

And, the numbers include some women business leaders too in the space championing the export sector, and one who stands dignified is Manasi Mayekar, Founder of Jumbo Exports- a leading exporter exporting Engineering products such as Exporting Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Electronics products & Capital Goods to 30 countries across the globe.Manasi is a proficiently experienced professional with a background in exports and international marketing and leadership. Women Entrepreneur recently engaged in a one-on-one interaction with Manasi, let’s hear from her.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

I am a Bachelor's in General Business and Commerce. Additionally, I have also attended the YEP program at IIM Ahmedabad. I was always raised to be independent. After receiving career coaching, I never hunted for a job as I always wanted to have my own business/startup & wanted to be on the other side of the table rather being an employer than an employee.Well, the journey started when I opted for Exports & International marketing as a specialized subject in my academic year.

That gave me theoretical knowledge& process insight about exports. However this was not enough, it was to decide the product & market for the product, again to specialize in single or multiple products. Earlier stages decided to export only capital goods in African continent as Africa is a developing hub for exporters in various industries.Again, traveling alone in some African countries and surviving in the male dominated field was a big challenge.

What motivated you to establish Jumbo Exports? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of specialization.

I believe in ‘Jai Javan Jai Kisan’ and those who cannot serve these two fields can also serve their country as Exporters. I felt through exports Indian goods & vendors can be promoted in the global market.Jumbo Exports is a leading export company providing engineering solutions under one roof.We are merchant exporters and supply goods depending upon requirements by customers in various industries (Textile, Sugar, beverages, Oil, and more) from spares to capital goods like, Boilers, Chillers, Compressors, Motors, Machines, and others. We procure goods from India and export in bulk.

"Stay organized, work with discipline & determination, and success is bound to follow"

We also are engaged in arranging customized products (reverse engineering) as per requirements to give engineering & commercial solutions. It is never a one-time business for me, I proudly refer that I am doing business with all my customers from the year I established my company. We not only trade but also give solutions &after-sale service to our customers, being available 24/7.

Throw some light on the different responsibilities you shoulder as the founder of Jumbo Exports.

When you are dealing in the international market you are not selling goods, but you are also representing your country and company. The way you have telephonic discussions, documentation, write mails, deliver in time & after sale services impact the business a lot. There are numerous government compliances in exporting as well as in importing, and countries’ flawless documentation play a vital role in the exports process. My more focus is on offering right product to the customer of Indian origin.

In your opinion what are some of the most critical challenges you encounter in your current role? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

The major challenges are political crisis, currency fluctuations, post COVID many companies have shut down, also freight is increasing on daily basis. Keeping an update on current affairs in importing countries, updating on government notifications, securing the payment terms by taking advances and being in continuous touch with the vendors & customers is the only way to go about exercising in the industry, as out of sight is out of mind. And, I am active enough.

Tell us about some of the key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What role did your Alma Mater IIM Ahmedabad play in your evolution as a business leader?

The key milestone was when we were rated as Star Export House.IIM Ahmedabad plays a vital role in my evolution as a business leader as it is the place where I learned business or entrepreneurship is not about working alone but working together, and for which you need to believe in your team, leverage some authorities, and offer secured future to your employees.

What message do you have for budding women leaders and entrepreneurs?

From my experience, I like to tell all women entrepreneurs- do not step back before you start. Chase your dreams until they come true. It is not necessary to have knowledge of everything in business, however, be well informed about it. Stay organized, work with discipline & determination, and success is bound to follow.

Manasi Mayekar, Founder, Jumbo Exports

With Bachelor's in General Business and Commerce and YEP program fromIIM Ahmedabad. she is a proficient business leader boosting the Indian exports industry by providing for the exports of Engineering products to 30 countries across the world, while having a strong foothold in Africa and the Middle East market.