Determination, Hard Work, Honesty, Patience and Customer Service made me a successful entrepreneur - Masala King Dr. Dhananjay Datar

The book was released at the hands of noted singer Suresh Wadkar and in the presence of Ramdas Athawale, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment of India

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Determination, Hard Work, Honesty, Patience and Customer Service made me a successful entrepreneur - Masala King Dr. Dhananjay Datar

Mumbai – “I came to Dubai 38 years ago from India to help my father in his tiny grocery shop. I only had 30 dirhams. This land really tested my mettle and when I proved it, also rewarded me with a fortune. I became a successful entrepreneur and a billionaire with determination, hard work, honesty, patience and customer service. These qualities really helped transform a small shopkeeper into a Masala King,” said Dr. Dhananjay Datar, CMD, Al Adil Trading group, UAE. 

He was talking on the occasion of Al Adil’s 38th anniversary celebrated recently at Address Hotel, Dubai. An autobiography titled ‘Masala King – A Journey of Memoirs’ penned by Dr. Datar was also released in this grand ceremony at the hands of noted singer Suresh Wadkar and in the presence of Ramdas Athawale, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment for India. Also present were the members of Datar family- Vandana, Hrishikesh and Rohit, employees of Al Adil group and well-known personalities from various fields. Singer Suresh Wadkar enthralled the crowd with his beautiful songs.

Speaking about the autobiography, Dr. Datar unfolded his 38 years entrepreneurial journey with some memorable incidents from his life. He said, “I had spent my childhood in utter poverty. I remained an average student in my school life. I failed five times in mathematics in my matriculation examination. I hadn’t any notable quality or skill. In my college life I would sell products like phenyl and instant mixes in the Mumbai suburbs to help my family. Until then no one from our family had been engaged in business. My father, Mahadev, on the verge of his retirement, unexpectedly sensed an opportunity in Dubai. He realized that the Indian community living there couldn’t easily get the Indian food products of their choice like flours, chutneys and pickles. He set up a small shop to fulfil that need. Later, he needed my help and called me to Dubai. Thus, entrepreneurship accidentally entered into my life.”

He further said, “The initial days for our business were very hard. Our shop encountered heavy losses in the very first year, owing to non-payment by resellers. We became helpless but my mother instilled self confidence in us. She sold her entire jewellery and furniture, raised money and sent it to us. Along with it was only a one-line letter saying, ‘Do not step back.’ Those words made me determined. I began working day and night. It yielded fruits after 3 years and we turned our shop into profit. When I visited home, I handed over her entire jewellery set remade. My mother affectionately caressed my cheek and that was the highest award for me.

I made friends with the small traders and earned their trust. They taught me the tips of business. A Jain trader advised me that a businessman should not bring his personal likes or dislikes into business. Another trader named Mullah Chacha taught me that hard work and skills never go in vain in life. When I was a novice in business, I had to hear insulting words like ‘business is not for you, better take a service job.’ But I concentrated on my work and grabbed opportunities. Initially to expand the business, I took loans from banks, but then a small hotelier taught me how to save daily and keep investing from that pool. With that technique, I expanded the chain of our super stores to 50 across the GCC region.”

He also shared some valuable business tips to budding entrepreneurs, concluding, “Retain your customers by providing them safe, pure and unadulterated products. Keep them satisfied as they only bring name and fame to you. I was honoured with the title “Masala King’ by the rulers of UAE only because my customers and employees always trusted me and backed me. My dream is to create hundreds of entrepreneurs from the young generation. That is why I penned down my memoirs to inspire and guide them.”

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