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| Sunday, 9 June 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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New eco-friendly bag from Shell LiveWIRE member A new eco-friendly shopping bag was launched in Tholangamuwa, Kegalle recently by 'Susinindu Dresspoint', headed by Nandani Ajantha a 27-year old Shell LiveWIRE member. Nandani received her inspiration for this innovative product after attending a 'Bright Ideas' workshop sponsored by Shell LiveWIRE. Her 'Susinindu Dresspoint' initially manufactured women's and children's garments, which was quite profitable in the early stages. Therefore, Nandani was able to expand her business, which started off with a single sewing machine (bought under an easy payment scheme). Soon, with the assistance of the Sabaragamuwa Development Bank (SDB), she was able to buy four additional machines and provide employment to four others in the process. However, as large scale ready-made clothing companies opened up in Kegalle, they began to attract Nandani's customers base. "Regardless of the high quality of my products and their economical prices, I found it difficult to prevent these large companies from attracting my customers, but I did not allow this to discourage me," said the owner of 'Susinindu Dresspoint'. Nandani decided to innovate - she had machines, trained staff and her expertise was cloth-based production. Thus she started to make cloth bags. Since these bags were attractive and economically priced, 'Susinindu Dresspoint' began yet again to be a profitable venture. Nandani and her staff produce a variety of 15 different cloth bags targeting public sector workers, teachers and school-goers. Around this time, Nandani attended a Shell LiveWIRE sponsored 'Bright Ideas' workshop organised by the SDB and held at the Warakapola Divisional Secretariat. "At this workshop we discussed how important it was for a successful entrepreneur to be creative and innovative, in order to stay ahead of the competition", she said. Inspired by this notion, Nandani Ajantha decided to introduce a new product to the market; an eco-friendly cloth bag which would replace the numerous plastic and polythene bags used so abundantly in the market place. "These bags are not only detrimental to the environment, but cost more in the long run, she said. It is customary for many large stores to provide their patrons with a polythene or thick plastic bag to carry their goods. Nandani has identify such large stores as an important market segment for her products and embarked on discussions with several such stores in the Kegalle region. "I suggested to these large stores that they use my cloth bags instead of the plastic ones - also pointed out that we could print the names and logos of the stores and use them for personalised store branding", she said. According to the young entrepreneur, a few stores have already shown some positive interest in this new product, which is both eco-friendly, durable and economical. The Nelundeniya SDB has already approved a loan to assist Nandani in these early stages. It is Nandani's ardent wish that the Environment Ministry and non-governmental organisations will assist her in this endeavour to educate and service the people of Sri Lanka. "I am thankful to the SDB, the Shell LiveWIRE Trust, Small Industries Development Division and Sri Lanka Technical Development Institute for the invaluable assistance given on this journey", Nandani said. Furthermore, Shell LiveWIRE Trust has announced that Nandani Ajantha is among the 10 finalists chosen for the regional heat of the LiveWIRE sponsored 'Young Business Start-up Awards' scheduled to be held in Kegalle. |
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