Parag Loliyekar speaks about his journey from the IT hub in Bangalore to setting up two printing businesses in Goa.
Business Journey
Parag Loliyekar, with an IT background and a math lover, began his business journey in 2003. Like any other Goan youngster, homesickness brought him back to Goa from the IT hub in Bangalore, where he was working on a few projects. Coding was his passion but his love for Goa overpowered everything else and he came back home. Parag had to change his career path, given that Goa had little opportunities in the IT field back then.
He speaks on starting up his ventures, Paragraphics and Sai Art. “During one of my interactions with a close friend I realised there is a good scope for printing business in Goa. I did a bit of study myself and took the plunge. The major breakthrough in the business was way back in 2003, where I got my first order through the Navy.”
Initially Sai Art began with a small time local one off jobs in screen printing. Over time, they developed trust with customers who referred them to other people. Thus confidence was developed and two years down the line, Parag established a full-fledged printing unit wherein he could take walk in customers and cater to daily printing needs.
Starting the business under the banner of Sai Art with just one employee, today, Parag’s business has come a long way, with 22 employees who are skilled and equipped for their roles in his business. Paragraphics was initiated in 2010. Expanding from screen printing, they undertook digital and offset (single and multi-colour) printing orders on a larger scale and established their expertise in multi-colour printing – from brochures, magazines, calendars, catalogues, danglers, product labels, to newsletters and souvenirs.
“Today Paragraphics and Sai Art, my two business ventures are primarily into printing, which are headed by me and I have plans to take it to the next level in the next few years,” Parag adds.
Parag mentions the support received from his family during difficult times. “Although my parents, both retired teachers knew nothing about business, they have been understanding and encouraging. Earlier, I used to do all the running around right up from meeting clients to following up for payments but later, my wife, Sampada, helped me give my company structure, and I realized that work can be delegated with supervision. She has helped me get employees that would look after the administration and has even looked after an entire unit by herself at times.”
Bouncing back after Covid
He then goes on to speak about the pandemic and bouncing back after the lockdown.
“The pandemic has hit every business in the world and the printing business is no exception. Since pharmaceutical companies had permission to operate, we had to cater to their printing needs and with all the requisite permissions; we began supplying to a few of them in April. Slowly, other enterprises started opening up and we have begun to get back on track. For now, we have understood the market scenario and added a few products to our portfolio. Now that resorts are commencing operations, we have developed new and innovative products for guests like printed pouches for masks and cutleries, disposable pouches and many others.”
Parag states that they were lucky not to layoff any of their staff and paid the entire salaries during the lockdown period. “We believe that our success lies in the happiness of our employees and that has been our prime focus since the inception of our business. We also used this time to reconnect with our customers and understand their business and their well-being.”
BNI Advantage
Parag is part of the BNI (Business Network International) and has benefitted a lot since his association with the organisation. “More then 50% new business comes through BNI now. In addition to the huge business we have been generating for past 10 years, the organisation has also given us lot of other benefits in terms of mentors and networking. I have managed to organise my business on lines with BNI and for a first time entrepreneur like me, this was a blessing in disguise. I received a lot of guidance from seasoned businessmen and also got an opportunity to be part of the Regional Team of BNI which gives one a better Network. Currently I am the Deputy Area Director for BNI South Goa, where I look after 5 chapters with a membership base of around 230 members.
Future Plans
Parag then elaborates on his future plans. “As of today, at the least about a 50+ printers from Margao and the surrounding areas outsource their work to Paragraphics. One of the USPs of Paragraphics is that the in-house designers are equipped to execute the designing work in the client’s premises, if need be. We have a very strong policy of following up and inquiring with the existing clients every month, even if there is no work. Sometimes, I personally go and pay them a visit, too.” Most of the printers would consider the costing for a one time job, but Parag strives to reduce the wastage of paper. Since, one way to do this is by combining projects, his quotations are extremely reasonable, with the added benefit of refined quality.
The next expansion plan is in Verna Industrial Estate where Parag is planning to establish a plant to manufacture printed carton boxes along with paper bags. This will help cater to the needs of pharmaceutical companies and other production units in the Verna Industrial Estate area.
“I believe that the employees of the company run the business. We make sure that they are kept happy at all the time and not over burdened with work. All my employees are Goans. My plan is to generate employment for about 500 Goans at the least, retire from mainstream work at the age of 55, open up a nice restaurant with my best buddies and live life at ease,” Parag says with a smile
