I always enjoy going against the tide

I come from a family that’s traditionally been in business. Retailing runs in our blood. I grew up listening and knowing about doing business. My father and his brothers first left the shores of Kerala and ventured out to Gujarat to set up their trading and restaurant business.

I joined my father in his business after graduating from college, even as I enrolled for higher studies. I guess those ‘away from home’ days readied me for my future life overseas. But those initial days in India is where I learnt most of the basics of business. I value them the most and still practice them in whatever I do.

Up close & personal:

On being a risk taker: Be it starting my retail operation during the first Gulf war or going on a massive expansion during the global slowdown five years back, I have always enjoyed going against the tide. But yes, I won’t take a risk just for the sake of it. If the fundamentals are strong and planning is accurate, I don’t think one should hesitate to go ahead and take that risk.

Yusuffali MA, chairman & managing director, Lulu Group

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