“Nothing in this world can be achieved without setting your mind in the right direction. I have been blessed with good family support but should I have not used this correctly, it would have been useless”.
The very mention of ‘Selegie House’ lights up Banumathi’s face as she recalls the house where she was born and raised, and the host of childhood memories that are attracted to it. She grew up in an extended family comprising her father, paternal uncle, and their respective families, in a 2-room HDB flat. While it might have seemed like a big crowd in a small space, it was this close proximity to each other that helped the 12 member strong family stay close-knit. “We were brought up with good value systems, with a deep sense of love and caring. We struggled through hardships but the memory of joy and celebrations we had is priceless,” she gushes.
Like many children, little Banumathi’s aspirations kept changing as she grew. While at times, she desired to be a banker, other times she wanted to be a teacher. The only thing she was clear about was that it would be something to do with serving people. It was not surprising it comes from Banu, given how her uncle and her father, together started Jothi’s Store and Flower Shop fifty years ago, from scratch. Seeing them persevere through all these years, perhaps, inspired her to become an ambitious entrepreneur. While the older women handled the kitchen cooking lunch for the staff, the children pitched in too whenever required. Interlacing different flowers with thick twine and making them into a garland was child’s play quite literally, especially during festive occasions. It is a practice that is still maintained in the family. “I am proud and blessed to be part of this ‘Jothi’ family,” Banu says.
Despite the years, the big family has always been together for each other, through the ups and downs. Recalling a challenging phase, Banu, as she is commonly known, says that when she decided to pursue her graduation in Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) in Australia, it was hard enough that she was back to studies after quite a gap, having worked in the meantime. “To make things worse, the thought of being away from family saw me break down so often. It was my dad and my sister who were pillars of support during this phase. It was only because of them that I managed to finish the course and got through CPA Australia, one of the world’s largest accounting bodies,” she recalls. The siblings are all married and lead their own lives, but they don’t miss on an opportunity to get together. “This is largely because of my sister. I still remember how she started the Christmas party for all the family members to get together so that we will not lose the bond we have developed over these years,” she reveals, smiling fondly.
Talking about her own parents, Banu says, “My father and mother did everything to provide my siblings and me a comfortable life. My father used to work at two jobs. Despite the limited earnings, my parents took us to India just because I wanted to see the Taj Mahal. Till date, this remains the best vacation ever.” Listing her father, brother, and sister (though in no specific order) as ‘the 3 most important people’ in her life, she talks about the time when she left her career in accounting to look after her mother who was ill. It was around that time she got a proposal to set up a business in the beauty space. She immediately consulted with her spouse and significant three, who gave her their go-ahead. “Their encouragement and support has led me to where I am today”. From that perspective, Jothi’s Traditional Charm is a tribute to their love and support.
Banu is as effervescent as they come. And it has helped her wonderfully in connecting with people and attracting new customers too. “I just love talking and helping. It’s my nature,” she laughs. It has definitely helped her business grow. Any reference to her entrepreneurial journey is incomplete without a mention of her mentor, her mother. There is a mix of fondness, reverence and pain as she talks about her mother who taught her to stand up against all odds. “She taught me that even though she had lost a leg due to diabetes and had to undergo dialysis, she never lost her inspiration and strength throughout.” Losing her, following the illness, was a crushing blow. “I dearly miss her and speak to her in silence at times,” she says softly. It was this infallible spirit that helped Banu through her own medical complications during her pregnancy.
Besides raising her two lovely daughters who have made her life ‘so purposeful’, she considers her start-up and its success as her most blessed accomplishments yet. Getting a little emotional, she adds that her weakness is having her emotions control her mind. “I am still trying to overcome it; one day, I will beat it”,she nods her head. On a lighter note, she unwinds by going for long drives, travelling and listening to music.
Of her experiences as an individual and an entrepreneur Banu shares, “Nothing in this world can be achieved without setting your mind in the right direction. I have been blessed with good family support but should I have not used this correctly, it would have been useless. Never regret the mistakes you have made in life as it strengthens you to become a better person”.