Inside the entrepreneurial mind: Lessons from Entrepreneurs Part 4

Akangchila Longchar
Morung Express Feature

For the fourth leg of The Morung Express entrepreneurship series, we have Zaren Odyuo, Founder & Owner of Tribal Group. Zaren is the perfect embodiment of hard work, perseverance and creativity. From Hair Cutting Saloon to Toyshop in Kohima, Zaren began dabbling in business very early. As a generation waking up and inheriting the entrepreneurial community of Nagaland, read on to find out more about this young businessman, who is inspired to dream big and take action. 

Getting Involved: From a young age, business has always been my fascination. The thought of creating and developing something new and the challenges that one undertakes in business is interesting. 

Why retail: Retail itself is an industry. It’s a good foundation to any business in the case of wanting to venture in different fields of business. It involves first hand customer relations, marketing, financing, system and process, and managing the Team.

Initial Start-Up & Inspiration: It was an uphill task. Parents needed to be convinced, since none were involved in business. With my parents’ blessing, I could get my Start-Up Capital which was huge responsibility because it was their retirement saving. I partnered with a friend to open a Hair Cutting Saloon. It failed and has made me to be more responsible and accountable. Since I had no practical idea in business, I partnered with a business friend to start a Toyshop in Kohima. That’s how I started and I believe self-interest was my inspiration.

Gratifying Moment:  We are happy that through business ventures with friends and partners, we have generated employment, which has created livelihoods. This is what Tribal Group will be and exists to be, to contribute to the society. Also business is like an adventure, everyday there is a new challenge and a new creativity to overcome that challenge. 

Dislike: In business, one cannot be unorganized, unprofessional and monotonous. 

Marketing Strategies: Being creative, active and building a very good customer based relationship is important in this kind of business.  We also do a lot of study on movement of products, high demand as well as low demands. Based on that we plan our strategies.

Most Challenging Aspect: For me inside the organization or enterprise, the most challenging part of my business is the Human Resource. We employ Naga youths and sometimes our youths tend to lack the drive to be professional and excel. Initially my challenges were: understanding the market demand, companies demand and targets, banking system etc.

Most Rewarding: That I am self-employed and doing what I love to do. And also employing Naga Youths, earning their livelihood through the business; I count that as a blessing.

Hindrances to being an entrepreneur in Nagaland:

1.Technical know-how. We are poorly informed about what we want to do.
2. The notion that Government Job is the best is still at the back of our mind and mostly we start business half-heartedly. The Do or Die Attitude is mostly missing.
3. Poor knowledge on banking and finance.
4. Start – Up Capital. Since most Naga families lack the idea of Savings, the question to start a business is often a big challenge.
5. Change of Mindset about our prevailing situations. When others can do business, we have no excuse. 

How many hours do you work a day on average? On an average 8 hours.

To become a successful entrepreneur: Being Consistent, Focused and Goal-oriented, Creative, having a good team, showing good leadership and principles.

Motivation Factor: Naga Youths getting employed keeps me going. When I hear of their family stories, the little amount that helps pay bills and helps the family motivates me. 

Also, our economy still has a long way to go and it needs more young business people to generate business income and create employment. I believe our generation of business persons needs to stand as an example to motivate them and create budding generation of vibrant business leaders. 

Define Success: Success is not defined by how much you have, but the measure of how much good you make out of it to the people around you, even with the little that you have.

Building successful customer base: Building a strong systems and process inside the business enterprise, having a good team that shares the vision and aims of the organization and striving to keep it professional at all levels helps me eventually for a good customer base. We keep check of the basics to keep the business running.

Good employees mean success: Employees are the hands and feet. To have one foot not running is a major concern. Employees that are productive to the organization need to be acknowledged, invested, trained and treated as an asset. It’s a gain both ways.

Advice to wannabe entrepreneurs: Be sure of what you want to do in business and be focused. Built a strong system and process, with goals, aims and objectives and be fully involved. Open a business account in a bank and build a relationship with the bank. Dream big, start small and don’t stop.

Zaren minus Work: Hobbies are music, movies and traveling and when I am not at work I am mostly with friends and families.

Sacrifices made: A lot of my time over the years has been invested in building the Organization. If I had the capital I would have gone for professional consultants, better human resource team etc. but at the same time, I don’t regret the lessons gained from it. Sometimes, it’s the thought of wanting to have more time and relax.

A big fan of: I admire the people who are behind the undertakings such as United Traders, Progressive Motors, Hotel Tragopan, Bible House, etc. I consider them the pioneers of Naga traders and businessmen. There are now many young entrepreneurs and friends who are an inspiration and encouragement to me.

Zaren, The Entrepreneur 10 years from now:  Tribal Group will soon register as a Pvt. Ltd. and one day hopefully be registered as a Limited Company. I don’t really know how long it will take but that’s our Dream. Tribal Group will continue and strive to be a company of repute, employing local youths and creating livelihoods.