Page 101 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition July-August 2021
P. 101
successful business depends on quality, honesty TIO: At that time, the industry was still at a
and business relations and I made this my forte nascent stage. What kind of challenges did you
by strictly following these rules. My elder brother face and how did you overcome them?
was pursuing a career of his own at that time.
RM: When I started off with my own business
In 1976, to my great joy my nephews joined venture, I had a joint family to look after and so
my business and after that there was no looking the finances were tight. I used to work very hard
back. to procure the finest materials because I did
not want to compromise on quality – however,
With the additional manpower we achieved I also did not want to fleece my customers for
greater success and slowly and steadily with profits. So, I used to go to the main market of
the support of my family, we managed to open Kalbadevi everyday to procure the frames and
two more shops – one in Parle West in 1982 and materials and then I would set up the Santacruz
another one in Santacruz East in 1991.
West shop and get ready for business as usual.
Everyone including my son's and my Gradually with time, we started making profits.
nephews were trained in optometry and As you know, life is full of ups and downs, so
salesmanship and running the day-to-day there were some good days and some not
business so I knew that I had trustworthy and so good days but I persevered throughout.
able team to handle my legacy, after I retired. I did not delve on any failure for too long. I
focussed on building customer relations and I
I have been going to the Santacruz East am proud to say that we have maintained our
establishment regularly since the last 30 years. many relationships so well that even when our
It is ably managed by my sons, Atul Mehta customers moved overseas they only trusted our
and Rajeev Mehta. The Santacruz west shop is frames and spectacles.
handled by my elder brother's family.
TIO: We are happy to note that even though
you are 90+, you still work every day when so
many of your peers have already retired. What
motivates you to do so?
RM: My shop feels like my second home.
I have spent so much of my life in there that
visiting it daily comes naturally to me. It is my
love for the business and customer satisfaction
that motivates me to go to work every day. Age
is just a number. It's all about watching my
sons working diligently like I used to. It makes
me feel proud. And makes me relive those days
again. The hardships. The sweat. And the sweet
success. Every day brings new memories and
new customers. Some days all my friends come
visit me and we sit and reminisce about the
beauty of the good old days. We talk for hours
and munch on snacks and laugh and all those
years of effort seem worth it. In the end no one
is going to remember you for how much money
and fame you earned. They will remember you
for how you made them feel.
TIO: You have worked hard to give this
wonderful legacy to your children/grandchildren.
What advice would you like to give them?
97 | RATILAL MEHTA
