Vinod Tiwary- After doing my last education as an M.B.A. I served in different M.N.C. on different levels. I was in Valsad in Gujarat with a particular Multinational and my life was quite a 9 to 5 type but during my initial days i learnt a lot about Gujarat. When you a seeing life in Gujarat, unknowingly you are getting yourself treated by various ways and tricks of business. I don't know, but it may have helped me internally in setting up my own business later in my life.

But after the age of 45, I felt that after a long hectic schedule of corporate life, need of education of my growing children, my physical condition, fatigue, financial security after age of 60 became a big challenge before me. I thought to start a business after a long mental marathon exercise, to protect my future and future of my family as well, and I am happy to say that my decision never proved me wrong and I am running my business very successfully.

Vinod Tiwary- To start a journey from a salaried person to a business entrepreneur has always been a challenge, because of the risk of being failure and it may spoil the whole family and their future.

But, i was fortunate enough and my education along with my field experience of job helped me to choose a business of plywood.

The reason behind it was :-
a. It is not a perishable good.
b. It has no fixed price, you may negotiate from the customer.
c. No risk of change of technology.
d. Huge customer base in a populated state like Bihar.
e. No very much up and down of price.
f. 80% market has been captured by Non-Branded Plywood (Only 20% market share has been owned by brands) and other so many reasons.

Vinod Tiwary- I am happy with the proceedings right now. Though the volume of the trade fluctuates and also you can not compare the same with other developed states, but considering the business situation in the state it is ok.

Of course, implementation of G.S.T. has made the business very easy. Before, this there were so many types of paper works were done by us. G.S.T. has played a very positive role to grow the business outside of the state too. It is business friendly.

Vinod Tiwary- Business environment of Bihar is good but, it needs improvements on many fronts.
a. Infrastructure is very poor in industrial estate. Road construction and connectivity needs improvement, electric power is not business friendly, Red tapism is also a problem.
b. Bihar government should hold the hand of entrepreneur and for this state should have made a policy to take care of the businessman.
c. Law and order have always remained a matter of concern in Bihar and it should be made better.
d. The state must make a policy for out going labours, it has created a labour problem itself in Bihar.
e. Bank should join their hands with the businessmen, but unfortunately CD ratio of Bihar is very poor.
f. Government must protect the interest of entrepreneur by making favorable policies.

Vinod Tiwary-No, I don’t repent for this, because every state has its own challenges and we can’t enjoy honeymoon anywhere. There is no free lunch in the world.

But considering the market structure and regulations, i do accept that states like Gujarat are ahead of us. But my personality is more of a Self controlled and self Contend type, so i never think about these lines. Iam happy, since my family is happy.

Vinod Tiwary- No, I don’t enjoy any scheme of any government nor i ever tried to get any MSME loans, rather I preferred private sector loan and have availed too.

Look, it all depends on what type of business you are dealing in. The plywood business is neither capital intensive nor labor intensive business. I deal in the products as a distributor or trader and i do not manufactured them in the past, so private loans from known persons worked perfect for me.

But now i have entered into the manufacturing process, and it may lead to some structured financial needs in the future. My plan for future is to expand this business and introduce new technology to reduce the cost of production and to increase the production capacity too.

Vinod Tiwary- I am blessed with two daughters and one son. My both daughters are married, and they are self-dependent too and my youngest son is an I.T. engineer and is not married.

Both my daughters are settled outside Bihar, the eldest daughter is a banker in Mumbai, while the younger one is working in Malaysia in the education sector.

Vinod Tiwary- For any startup in any sector one must have some basic knowledge about that particular segment. Selling of finished goods is not a big problem. Rather, purchasing of goods is a very big problem, otherwise, there is a cut-throat competition in every segment and of your purchasing is costly certainly your selling price will be higher and of may create a problem.

Secondly, one must keep patience for at least one year for breakeven point, otherwise, it may create a mental chaos. Profit is not generated very soon in any business. Thirdly, one must keep his eyes and ear open about the changes of the particular segment or industry. One must be a watchdog of the developments of that particular segment.

PP- Thanks a lot, Vinod Towary ji of sparing your precious time for us.

Vinod Tiwary- It was pleasure in interacting with you. I hope that you have got what you wanted and i was able give insights about the business situation in Bihar.