Hailing from the apple town of Sopore, Baba says that the golden period for entrepreneurship is between the ages of 25 and 35. During this time, people are energetic, enthusiastic, and resilient, ready to take risks and invest in their future.
Shoiab MohammadBhat
Mohammad Muzaffar Baba, an entrepreneur who started Baba Readymade and School Uniforms and envisioned a successful business venture. His intention has always been to generate employment and enable people to build better lives for themselves. Through his business, he has assisted numerous individuals to achieve a livelihood and develop professionally. Baba’s commitment to his work and his community has left a lasting mark on people, inspiring them to work hard and achieve success in their own lives.
Baba holds a postgraduate degree and a diploma in stenography and computer skills from ITI. He has more than ten years of experience in marketing and sales, bringing valuable expertise to his work.He came from the corporate world and leaped into entrepreneurship in the readymade garments sector. His aspiration was to do something great and meaningful in the locality, mainly providing affording uniforms and other garments to the public.
The journey of Baba Readymade and School Uniforms started with a simple but powerful vision: to provide quality readymade garments and school uniforms to the local market with simultaneous employment generation. After having years of knowledge and experience in marketing, Baba wanted to open his own manufacturing unit. His project was called Baba Readymade, where he produced a large variety of readymade garments, mainly school uniforms. Baba went to the District Industries Centre in Baramulla and got all the information about the government schemes and financial assistance for small businesses. DIC supported Baba in getting a loan of 25 lakh rupees with a significant subsidy for rural and urban areas. In his case, he had got a 35% subsidy to the tune of 9 lakh rupees, so financially, he could quite a lot, as for his business startup. Under this loan and financial assistance, Baba started his manufacturing unit, which soon grew into an established business. Initially, Baba intended to only manufacture quality school uniforms. However, very soon he expanded the same to other readymade garments meant for different ages and target markets. Over time, as the business flourished, Baba understood the need for a sustainable model, through which he could sustain his family and generate jobs for the locals. Currently, he directly employs 15 designers, and the number can go up to 25 depending on the demand for products and markets. These designers are very important to the business because they help produce the garments, which means that high standards are maintained. Other than the designers, there are other people indirectly connected to the business, such as suppliers of raw materials, outlets, and schools that buy uniforms in bulk. This network of workers, suppliers, and buyers has helped Baba create a robust supply chain, making his business a key player in the local garment industry.
Baba’s business model is built around collaboration and community support. By creating a network of employees and partners, he has successfully established a chain of production, ensuring that everyone involved benefits from the business’s success. In this way, Baba’s enterprise is not just a source of profit but a means of generating employment for others.
One of his core beliefs is that educated individuals should take the initiative to consult with various government bodies and agencies, such as the DIC, KVIB (Khadi and Village Industries Commission), JKEDI (Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute), and self-employment offices, to seek financial assistance and guidance in setting up their businesses. He encourages the educated youth to make use of such resources and look for entrepreneurial opportunities. According to him, these organizations are important for giving financial support, mentorship, and important information to entrepreneurs who wish to start a business adding that the government has been very aggressive in motivating people to start their own units. This is because it would lessen the burden on the government by providing employment opportunities. Through several schemes, including the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and KVIB schemes, the government has been promoting entrepreneurship and helping small businesses grow.
He explains that one of the primary necessities to achieve success in a business is to generate jobs for others. In terms of the government, there is a goal of generating a sustainable economy that enables businesses to be profitable for not only themselves but also socially aimed at reducing unemployment. The success of baba garments is an inspiring model for others to enter entrepreneurship as a way to significantly contribute to society. Even though his journey has been quite successful, he does state that the road to entrepreneurship is not without challenges. Most aspiring entrepreneurs do not pay attention to the fact that a business is a very costly affair; it may require lakhs or crores of rupees sometimes. Baba, however, says that this is the thought that should be altered. He says that an efficient businessman is the one who can begin with low investment and slowly and steadily grow the business.
Baba says the golden period of entrepreneurship exists between the ages of 25 and 35 years. During this time, people are energetic, enthusiastic, and resilient to take all risks to invest in the future. With the proper guidance and determination, such a period can be made into a strong foundation for long-term business success.He also emphasizes that one should not limit oneself to traditional businesses. Today’s market provides many scopes for innovation, and one needs to be open-minded and willing to explore new business avenues. Success, as Baba says, is not just about making money, but about making a difference in the lives of others.
Baba’s final message is that true success lies in the ability to drive not only oneself but also others toward prosperity. Entrepreneurs who can create jobs, share knowledge, and uplift their communities are the real drivers of economic growth. As Baba puts it, “God will ask you what you did for the welfare of the people if you had the knowledge.” His belief in the power of entrepreneurship to improve society is a central theme of his business journey.
In conclusion, Mohammad Muzaffar Baba’s story is a very inspiring one, for it shows how small businesses can grow into big ventures, providing employment and contributing to the local economy. In his initiative, Baba has shown that the importance of education, support from the government, and the willingness to take risks are important in achieving success. His message is that entrepreneurship is not just making money but changing the lives of people.
