The Impactful Teammate at Hearty Mart 

We have been in business for nearly 21 years now. It all began with the opening of our first store in Juhapura. None of us had any prior experience in retail or the FMCG industry, yet I had unwavering faith in Sabir Bhai, our first employee at Hearty Mart. His integrity and dedication stood out to us from the very beginning. Sabir Bhai has been with us since day one and, through his relentless hard work, commitment, and loyalty, he has risen to become the Managing Partner of the Juhapura store. Under his leadership, the store has grown into a thriving, profit-making outlet, embodying the success of our journey together.

A Defining Moment

After nearly four years of relentless effort and trying every trick in the book, the Juhapura store still hadn’t turned into a profit-making outlet in 2008. This was a major blow to Sabir Bhai and his team, who had worked tirelessly to achieve success. Despite their dedication, the outcome left them feeling demoralized.

After a thoughtful discussion with Sabir Bhai and his team, we decided to refurbish the store with brighter colors, hoping to lift the gloom that had crept into the team’s mindset and infuse them with renewed positive energy. The strategy worked, and the team regained their enthusiasm and drive.

What stood out to me most during this challenging period was Sabir Bhai’s remarkable composure and leadership. He played a pivotal role in motivating his team, even in the face of adversity. Thanks to his efforts, by the end of the 2009 financial year, the store finally turned a profit, and we achieved our goals.

Advice for Fellow Founders

Finding the right employee for a business is as crucial as finding the right venture capitalist or investor. My approach to hiring is straightforward: I prioritize virtues like integrity, honesty, and commitment over other skills. These moral qualities are deeply ingrained and cannot be taught, unlike technical skills or communication abilities, which can be developed with time and effort.

An honest and committed employee possesses the foundational qualities needed to lead a team effectively. With the right support and empowerment, such individuals can grow into invaluable assets for any entrepreneur.

 
Bold vision for Hearty Mart in 2025 

I have always envisioned establishing my company’s presence on the global stage, whether by opening offices abroad or expanding into international markets.

My goal for 2025 is to accelerate exports and broaden our reach to countries such as the US and regions like Africa, in addition to our existing markets in the UK, the Gulf, and New Zealand. To achieve this, we plan to actively participate in export-focused trade fairs and exhibitions.

Seizing the Opportunity

With the rapid rise of startups embracing the Quick Commerce model in the retail sector, a new opportunity emerges for brick-and-mortar supermarkets like ours. By aligning with their needs, we can position ourselves as partners, enabling us to market our products directly to consumers through their platforms.

Additionally, the growing adoption of AI across industries is transforming business operations. I am eager to explore how AI can enhance our efficiency in the retail and HoReCa sectors, streamlining operations and unlocking new possibilities for growth.

Evolving as a Founder

On a personal front, my goal for this year is to engage more frequently with our overseas team. I believe it is essential to align the work culture between our two offices in Ahmedabad and Dubai. 

This poses a unique challenge, as the Ahmedabad office comprises staff from rural backgrounds, while the Dubai team operates in a more cosmopolitan environment. Bridging this gap will be key to fostering collaboration and creating a unified culture across both locations.