Mar (Second from Left) with his employees at his second business venture ‘Family Market.’ (Morung Photo)
Person in Focus: Marlenden Aier
Background: Graduate of Christ College Bangalore
Current: Owner of ‘La Premier’ and ‘Family Market’
Past: Worked at American Express, Bangalore
Owned 4 guest houses in Bangalore
Partner of a Floriculture business
Lessons from entrepreneurs Part 1
Akangchila Longchar
Morung Express Feature
Among the first from his generation to dabble into Entrepreneurship, people and friends in Bangalore remember him as an entrepreneurial man who was always involved in one sort of business or the other.
His business in Dimapur, ‘La Premier’ and ‘Family Market’ is hard not to miss. ‘La Premier’ is by far one of the largest stores in Nagaland to provide movies of all genres. From the latest blockbusters, Hollywood, Bollywood, Korean etc., you name it, they’ve got it. ‘Family Market’ is a one stop shop that provides household goods and groceries. From groceries, beauty products to varieties of chocolates, they have it. The store also has the USP factor of stocking items.
Getting Involved: Mar says that it’s been nine years being a businessman. His interest in business started because of his mother he says, who is also an entrepreneur in her own right. Mar says that as a child he was very interested in business. Immediately after completing his graduation from Christ College Bangalore, Mar worked at the American Express company at Bangalore. This, he said was a learning period. This one year’s stint, Mar feels grateful and necessary because it opened his eyes to hard work, smartness, and learning how to converse with people.
Coming Home: Mar feels that there is much more scope in Nagaland. “We need business here, big or small. We need to start providing services for our people,” he feels. However, Mar also points out that though there is potential, likewise the economy situation is extremely bad.
Hindrance in Nagaland: With the experience of working outside Nagaland and in a metropolitan city for several years, Mar shares an important example of business in Nagaland. He says that in Nagaland it’s easy to start a busy, but hard to keep it running. While even in metropolitan cities, it’s the complete opposite. Mar explains that outside Nagaland, it is so hard to set up a new business, but once it’s up and running, it’s profitable. Secondly, Mar also feels that the people’s mentality has yet to be changed. He explains that ‘Family Market’ is a convenience store where everything you need is available with ample parking space and AC etc. That’s the perks of coming to a store like mine, but people don’t seem to realize that yet, he said. He also said that poor economy and issue of insurgency are also hindrances to being an entrepreneur here.
Good employees and Success: Mar credits employees as being the most important to his success. “Without good employees especially, business will never be successful he says. They should love their owner and the owner should love them back,” says Mar who prefers hanging out with his employees even on weekends. Mar also believes that when someone walks into his office, there is no way of judging if he is a bad or good guy, but its upto the business owner to trains and teach.
Building customer base: Business should be customer based. No matter what visions a businessman has, the customer should be able to afford your product. It should relate to the people. He says, “In Nagaland only 20% of the people have money here, and the 80% are poor and do not have money”. He also says that most important is to try and satisfy the needs and wants of each one of the customer.
Learning from mistakes: Mar admits that sometimes his ideas have not worked. But he believes in sticking to it and learning from the failure. All you have to do is learn from the mistake you mad and even try to turn it around your favour, he said.
To wannabe entrepreneurs: Mar shares that, an advice he would give to college students who are thinking of foraying into business should have interest first of all. “They should have passion; it should come from the heart. They should love what they are doing or else it will seem like a punishment. They should also understand the nature of the business they are choosing,” he said.
Being your own Boss: I’m able to do what I want. However responsibility is always there.
Sacrifices he had made: Giving my time.
Motivation Factors: Mar still works for no less than eight hours every day. He says that his passion for what he does, his love for working and to achieve, are what drives him.
Definition of Success: “If I am able to help my employees, my family. If I can independently stand on my own. If I am able to help somebody who is ill. Then I am successful”.
Future Plans: Mar feels that right now his businesses are still at the initial stage. “I’ll focus for one or two more years. I have done whatever I can. Now its upto the people to walk in,” he says.
Mar, The Entrepreneur in ten years: I see my business expanding and flourishing, hopefully. I also want to try out different sectors in business.
Lessons from entrepreneurs Part 2