Great Companies: Please tell me something about the business and how did you come up with such an idea?
Mr CAESAR A J FERNANDES: We are manufactures of Prefabricated Wooden Cottages and Homes, being the first to start one of its kind modern manufacturing facility in India.
What was the Purpose of starting this Business? What issue did it want to solve?
Goa started its tourism Industry because of its natural Beauty, white sand Beaches and the Hospitable People. It was never an organized sector, Local People defined hospitality by allowing the Tourists stay in their homes and provide them Local Cuisine.
Over the years this industry grew and the locals expanded to make Bamboo or Bamboo Chatai huts in their compounds to meet the needs/ demands of the Tourism Industry.
In my visit to beaches at Palolem and Agonda, I was surprised to see that this Homestay structures made of bamboo /bamboo chatai had no Esthetic , no Toilets attached and absolutely no safety, I was wondering how People could stay or even pay for this kind of structures.
We felt that the industry will die its natural death if change does not set in, and I set my self to read through the internet looking for solution for something that would be esthetically pleasing with an attached toilet and is completely safe to stay in . We had a vision to see a change in the Industry, to see that Tourist experience the Beauty of our Beaches and enjoy comfortable stay and recommend Goa to their friends and family allowing the industry Grow and be sustainable.
Today we have the largest market share across India for our genuine services and have successfully executed more then 1000 units all over India, adding value to the Tourism Industry and the client who earn better ROI (returns on Investment).
Great Companies: What are the various services and products provided by your company?
Mr CAESAR A J FERNANDES: We have a varied product line starting from child play house, Gazebos, Music Studio, Caravans, Dog Houses ,Garden Lounge,Single Car Garage,Pergola,Coffee Shops.
Great Companies: Why should one choose you over others in this field?
Mr CAESAR A J FERNANDES: Our uniqueness lies in our fully equipped factory which has empowered us to indigenously design and develop various models specifically meeting the needs of clients. Our company maintains high standards by using modern CNC machinery in adopting efficient practices. Offering custom made designs is something that may fall short off ,in almost any industry. We are the only manufacturers in India having our own factory setup using modern sophisticated machinery for our processes.
Always looking for latest technique, technology and designs, meeting international standard and trying to match our self with international competitor and understanding their best practices etc.
Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face?
Mr CAESAR A J FERNANDES: The Journey has been a challenging, right from promoting the product , procurement of materials, GST and the issue of licenses of CRZ or Panchayat area.
Must say, that all thanks to Father God be the credit for providing divine favors and wisdom to deal with all of this situation , maneuvering each situation was a task.
Promotion of the product: It took me 1.5 year to sell our first 7 units, as it was difficult for people to believe and invest from a bamboo/chatai huts to proper cottages, but building relation and convincing them try, help me to move in sales. The same clients would bring in referral for me being my brand ambassadors.
Procurement: most of my prefab before production in Goa, was imported and a couple of time I have had bitter experiences which allowed me to learn process and start manufacturing in India.
GST was a great concern it blocks a lot of Capital in source of procurement, with the favor of God we could arrange to extended credit period of payment . issue of licenses of CRZ or Panchayat area this has been a challenge, but in recent time being a part of the shack owner association has helped in fighting in through the courts.
For the Panchayat areas the understanding and learning the Panchayat Raj Act book helped us in assisting the local authorities to understand the provision available for wooden Temp structures.
Great Companies: What do you think are the few main things which are most important for a successful business?
Mr CAESAR A J FERNANDES:*Employees
* Genuiness of the product./Value for price paid
*Customer Relationship
*Help the client grow through our product by adding value.
*Excellent after sales customer service
Comments