It’s often accepted that women and girls like fancy, unique stationery. As an entrepreneur in the field, how far do you feel that is true?

Totally agree with the above statement. During those rare moments when I go shopping I usually look out for unique things. So we could probably apply the same principle here. Everyone likes to stand out of the crowd, everyone wants to own something that makes them unique, and have people coming up to them asking where they picked it up from. 

What does it take to enter the stationery manufacturing market, in India?

You need to be really patient and persistent in situations where you are just not getting results. Also a thorough research and development is required before actually deciding the three questions:

Who – Who you want to cater to?

What – What and how do you want to make for them?

Where – Where do you want to be located?

You need to be very well equipped technically, need to really have a drive to be a known brand. The right combination of technical and marketing mixed with a little research and development helps you place yourself.

How long has it been since you set up Notex? Do your immediate plans include expansion across India or across the world too?

I started this project in April 2010, it has been nearly two years now and we are already expanding all across India and are in communication with various overseas clients. We are streamlining our products with their requirements, and NOTEX should be available in most corners of the globe very shortly. There is no limit to growth, it’s how fast you want to grow.

What makes Notex products stand out from other known stationery brands?

Well we lay a lot of emphasis on eco-friendly, recycled and reusable material to be used in our product. A lot of effort goes into the design of our product. We have designers working for us from all parts of the globe, and we short list the end design and shade of our products after discarding nearly 15,000 designs for a single product. We try to come up with a design that fits into three or four categories of people.

Our main USP would be product innovation, concept and design and an added eco-friendly material.

What according to you are the top five must-haves of women entrepreneurs today?

I wouldn’t term it as women entrepreneur, an entrepreneur is an entrepreneur irrespective of the sex.

The top 5 must haves of an entrepreneur according to me are:

1. Persistence – Never give up attitude

2. Enjoy what you’re doing and choose your company very wisely- You really need to like and enjoy what you’re doing, add a dash of humour to everything, being serious gets you nowhere.

3. Patience – It is a must, sometimes even after trying very hard you don’t get the targets you’ve set out, you need to be patient, strategize, look into your process and analyze if you’re going wrong somewhere 

4. Adapt to Change – Change is a persistent element, learn to adapt it willingly and not revolt.

5. Goal Setting – Writing out your goals, short term and long term, and revising them every six months, and tick off the ones you have achieved.

Thank you Shrestha, and all the best, from the team at Indusladies.