Aban - one of the world's leading woman entrepreneurs

Aban Pestonjee's success in the business world has been largely as a self-made entrepreneur.

Pestonjee's business career had humble beginnings. Newly married at 20, selling her father's typewriter after reconditioning it was her first business transaction. It opened up a whole new vista today, as Chairperson of Abans, she heads the largest solely-owned home and office appliances company in the country, with over 12,000 employees.

In an exclusive interview - published in LMD's October issue. Pestonjee relates how she first began as a small-time entrepreneur and later migrated to large-scale business. The business magazine's cover story focuses on women in business, culling the sentiments of a cross section of leading women.

Scouting out auctions and scanning newspapers for sales by expatriates leaving the country, Pestonjee expanded her business to include air-conditioners and washing machines, reconditioning them in her garage, with a view to reselling them.

"This was the time when anything imported was considered to be a luxury," she says, describing life in the pre-1977 era. Being the eldest daughter of Gandhi, an engineer, and Khorshed, a housewife, Pestonjee was born in Bombay; later, her family migrated to Sri Lanka when she was a toddler, as her father began working at the Port of Colombo.

"In those days, men didn't help with housework. They just came back from work and expected to relax, with everything being done for them. Husbands were not keen on working wives and so, it wasn't easy for me - but I was determined to be something more than a housewife. And I must say that my dad was very proud of what I set out to do," she said.

"From my own experience, I can say that housewives had to bear the brunt of all the housework. I wanted to make their lot easier - with the option of a washing machine, for instance, thought of as a luxury; but to me, a necessity for every housewife."

With the government adopting open economic policies in 1977, well-established British brands dominated the branded appliances market. Pestonjee's reconditioned-appliances business did not look promising. But she understood the needs of consumers in relation to appliances, which was her business.

With her husband's help, she approached a bank in search of finance. She faced many difficulties because recognised agents in Sri Lanka already represented branded appliances - but she overcame these challenges with determination. And her perseverance has paid rich dividends.

Numerous accolades have been bestowed on this woman entrepreneur, whose business empire now spans trading, services, manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure development, travel, environmental services and IT.