CHENNAI: Family and business go hand-in-hand for Nitesh Giria. Together with his brother Arihant, he is managing partner of Girias Investments, a consumer appliances stores in the city.
Having moved to Chennai in 2008 to consolidate the business, he talks to CE about what is close to his heart and the lessons he learnt through hard work and years turning the family’s flagship company into a flourishing business in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
What values have you imbibed in your time working since 16? Every day you learn something new.
In fact each business opportunity we’ve had has taught us something valuable. There’s a lot of accountability and we need to take spot decisions. If you’re not available for your employees in such a dynamic set-up, then you lose out ultimately.
What is your daily routine like?
I’m an early riser, and I have a workout regimen I follow...in fact right now, I’ve lost a lot of weight! I was extremely fat but, now I have lost nearly 15-20 kg! I’m at office by around 9.30 am and back home by around 8 pm, after which I spend time with family. By 9.30-10 pm, I’m in bed!
Who do you turn to for support and advice?
Since we live in a joint family, elders are always available for me. They have more experience of being wrong. Even in Bangalore, my family lives together…my uncle, who is also the founder of the company, lives there with 35 family members in one house! Three generations of family under one roof. We don’t have a culture of living apart at all.
What are your lasting impressions of Chennai?
It took me two years to just convince myself to come to Chennai, because the weather was a problem! But it is actually good place to be and now it feels like home.
What life lessons from your work would you teach your children?
Money earned while working hard will stay with you; anything you earn through a shortcut will never stay. I still remember when I first started out at the counter of our store at a young age, a customer accidentally shelled out Rs 500 extra. I didn’t realise it at that time, but later, when I was driving home, I was caught by a traffic policeman and I did not have my license...he quickly relieved me of the Rs 500! It was a lifelong lesson that I tell my managers and kids also: to be honest in money matters. I tell them not to run from problems – you have to face it headlong, otherwise it will spiral into something that you cannot control!
Are there particular qualities you look for in your employees?
Honesty, humility, those who value money and have a sense of accountability. In fact, there are people who joined with me in 1994, who are still with us. In Bangalore, there are people have been with us for the past 40 years (smiles).
What’s your leisure time like?
Well, I don’t drink or smoke — which results in my friends calling me good for nothing (laughs)! But as a family we watch movies, and go out together to the beach. Since we are a joint family, it is very easy for someone to look after the business when the other is absent. As for travel, I’ve been all around the globe! In fact, in May we’re going to Europe and Scotland. I carry a passport which has four booklets now – so you can imagine how much I travel.
As a family, what do you do to relax?
We love to go on picnics, take food from home and spend a few hours on the sands. We attend a lot of plays and concerts. We recently went for the Vidya Vox concert and enjoyed it a lot. I’m not fan of shopping; so I don’t do it much.
Would you want your children to enter the business?
I would be more than happy if they join me but you never know! My daughter is 13, so it’s too early to say anything. It’s different from our time when we were already in the business in our early teens!