Successful entrepreneur Ganesh Hegde's Hard work brings ‘Fortune’

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Bengaluru: With just Rs.300 in his hand, he and his brother boarded a bus from Hebbankhan a remote hamlet in Honnavara taluk to Bengaluru in the early ’90s. That Rs.300 given by his mother made him proprietor of Fortune Group of Industries which has over Rs. 15 crore turnover annually. Yes. It is the success story of Ganesh Hegde, Mr. Hegde who hails from Honnavara taluk has built a Glob Tech Fortune Industries from scratches. Now he has a dream to provide employment opportunities to over 2000 people.

Humble background man established big manufacturing component industries in 2003, At that time his financial condition was pathetic, he had a 20 lakh hand loan, depending upon his wife’s income, who was a teacher in a government school. Borrowing 50,000 from his friend, Mr Hegde has started a lathe unit in a Car shed, now his Industry has valid customers from across the globe. 

He had acute financial constraints in 2003, and borrowed Rs.20 lakh loan. His family was completely dependent upon his wife’s salary of Rs. 8000. After leaving the job, there was no single penny in his hands. 

Before starting an industry, Mr. Hegade worked in a Chemical factory for 14 years. He joined as an Assistant Supervisor and attained the post of general manager, it was sheer his hard work and honesty, that he attained the promotions after the promotions in that Chemical Factory. In fact, there were hurdles in his job, there was professional jealousy in that company, and colleagues were jealous of his growth. But the hard work and straightforwardness of Mr. Hegade did not stop him. He challenged his colleagues that he would quit the job only after attaining the highest position in the company. Soon after management appointed him as Director, Mr Hegade quit that company with an intention of starting his own industry.

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Journey to Bengaluru 

After completing my B.Sc, I told the father that I would search for a job. I studied in a Kannada school at Hebbankhan village of Honnavara taluk. Secured second class in SSLC, even majority of my villagers and my parents have doubt about my passing in SSLC exams. My father who believed in astrologers admitted me to science though I insisted on the arts, I failed in PUC. My father got angry, after passing PUC, I pursued BSc, and secured first class in B.Sc. In Degree college, I contested for the Secretary post and won in the elections, that secretary post helped me to get the job later in Bengaluru. Then I decided to search for a job in Bengaluru. My brother also getting ready to come with me. My father has given Rs. 200 to me along with two small parcels, one for me and one for my brother. However, my mother gave me Rs. 300 of her savings amount to me. My brother did typing, thus he got the job immediately, but I did not get it. After applying to many companies, one chemical company, situated in Modi Hospital Road called for an interview for the Assistant Supervisor post.  After seeing my profile and college secretary post, the company has given me a job. After seeing my hard work and dedication, the company has given Manager post, but they have not given car. Though the manager's post is a responsibility, they failed to understand it, so I decided to come with the auto to the office and claim petrol conveyance for a four-wheeler. Later I bought a Car, Stage by stage I grew in the company, it promoted me to a General Manager post and then promoted me to a Director. 

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Initial days 

Without any plan, he quits the company. Before he quitting the management has taken a promise from him that he shall not start any competitive chemical company, his earlier company is producing Weedikiller, a very rare company in the state.

“ When they offered GM post to me, they have taken assurance from me not to start any chemical company, I said okay and only asked that I don’t want any designation, but want a salary. After quitting the job in 2003, I have minus 20 degrees Celsius ( 20 lakh loan). Due to investment in networking marketing, I have taken a Rs. 20 lakh loan. Thus while starting a business no one has ready to give surety to me. 

Except for Chemicals, I do have not any other business idea, but my promise have alerted me, decided not to step into the chemical business”. 

To start a business I don’t have a capital amount, one Mr. G.J.Bhat has given Rs. 50,000 hand loan to me for nominal interest. I have borrowed a lathe machine for Rs.38,000 and purchased other related instruments for Rs. 12000, stated an industry in a car shed of my brother. Who has stated metro metal cons industry? Though he advised me to work with him, I said no and started working in the lathe machine.

My first order was washing machine unit at Electronic city. I have bifurcated armature, copper, powder and gum tape etc from the scrap washing machine. First, they gave me 5 to 6 piece, and after seeing my work, they have given one full load of the washing machine. Because of my hard work and efficiency, 5 to 6 employees of that company have lost their jobs, earlier they used to give the same components outside, where they are getting less copper, vendors are keeping copper, but I have returned complete copper extracted from the washing machine, later they have cancelled other vendors and given full job works to me, within a month I have repay the Rs. 50,000 loan to me. Mr. Bhat was a guiding force to me, he taught me ethics and business dharma, From him, I have leant lot. 

My second order was from Canara hydraulics, I had started getting orders and told my brother to give me two employees from his factory, he happily agreed and asked me to choose his boys. I have opted one Mr. Gangaraj, now he is now the DGM and Machine shop head. That time nothing was in my hand, however, Mr. Gangaraj believed and followed me. He left all the facilities of my brother's company and joined me. Later I started hiring technical persons. One Mr Ramesh, drunken and slept in a park. I picked him and was given a job in my company. He is very strong in technical, giving immense support to me. My intention is to provide job to those who considered as useless in the society. For talent and bright youths, many will offer the job, but no one has come forward to give job to useless persons. But I did it and succeeded in that attempt. After giving them proper training, I took work from them. 

After repaying the loan, I expanded my industry, and established milling, after seeing the customer requirements, I catered for their requirement accordingly. If some one offer me, milk, juice and water, I would rather ask water, with water I can make juice or any product. I have built my company based on legal, moral, ethical, integrity and honesty. Meanwhile, Mr. Bhat was the guiding force for me, for every stage he taught me how to do ethical business. My turnover has gradually increasing step by step from Rs. 50,000, Rs.1.50,000, Rs. 4,50,000, then rupees one crore, three crores, and now it has reached Rs. 15 crore. Hard work and dedication were a keyword for my journey. 

After the lathe machine, I searched for big customers, now I have 800 to 1000 customers from across the globe, Video, Kennametal, L&T, and other big companies are my customers. I do not believe in marketing, I never did marketing to promote my business, only because of references I do getting business and made expansion. I have many valuable and proud customers, I believer these customers are my Annadathas.