For many of us, starting a business of our own has always been a dream. While some are able to live the dream, some only wish for it. But there is one such man who never wanted to own a business but today has a successful one to his name.
VKC Noushad founded Walkaroo in 2013 which today is one of the leading names in footwear brands in India. VKC Noushad is the Chairman, Director of VKC Group which was founded by his father, VKC Mammed Koya.
Walkaroo is part of the VKC Group which has been termed as one of the largest footwear manufacturers in India.
VKC Noushad’s Early Years
When Noushad was growing up he was never inclined towards pursuing a business of his own. But he gradually started growing keen on the idea of starting an enterprise of his own. His interest grew stronger while he was pursuing his engineering at Thrissur Engineering College.
It was in 1994 that Noushad decided to join the family business. He joined with a focus to make the existing hawai chappals better. On researching the footwear market further, Noushad realized that he needed to focus more on virgin quality polyvinyl (PV) which was in trend in those days.
That is when Noushad decided to replace rubber with PV.
VKC Group & Walkaroo’s Success
While the flagship VKC brand targets the bottom of the pyramid, Walkaroo is positioned as an affordable lifestyle brand for middle- and higher-income consumers.
VKC Group has been in the business for more than three decades now. The group today has around 20 manufacturing units in six states in India. It is also providing employment to around 7,000 people directly and 4,000 people indirectly.
Walkaroo reported a turnover of Rs 1,245 crore in the previous financial year. Considering the brand’s growth, Noushad is now planning to build it as a separate company.
The brand’s success can be owed to its policy of making fashionable footwear available at an affordable price. Walkaroo today has made a name for itself so big that Amir Khan endorses the brand.
External Factors Adding To Its Success
In an interview, Noushad said that footwear imports from China have come down sharply, which has provided a huge opportunity to the domestic footwear manufacturers.
Noushad believes that it has given a good opportunity to Indian footwear manufacturers, especially those who produce kids, sports, and knitted shoes. He also said that Indian manufacturers need to utilize this opportunity by launching new products and new designs. Since this is a really huge opportunity, it will be covered by just one or two players. Making it beneficial for all.
At the moment, 70 percent of Walkaroo’s business comes from the South while East, West, and North contribute 10 percent each.
