Retail

Grit, resilience and big dreams: How this auto parts distributor is scaling his business internationally with eBay


Any economic downturn always has a direct impact on businesses, with small business owners being the most vulnerable. The Covid 19 pandemic, for instance, that saw even the most flourishing businesses shut shop also left the future of several SMEs hanging in the balance owing to lockdown restrictions, labour shortage, disrupted supply chains, lack of market access, logistic blocks, cash flow problems so on and so forth. Yet, in the face of any adversity, whether a pandemic or otherwise, small business owners have always kept pushing themselves with agility and resilience not just helping themselves but also broadening the horizon of aspirations for many others along the way.

One such inspiring story is that of Abhinav Sharma, who kick-started his local business in Delhi with just Rs 500. Today, he is conquering international markets with his million-dollar auto spare parts business on eBay. Born and brought up in Solan with big dreams to start his own venture, Abhinav moved to the UK for further studies at 23 years of age. On his return after three years, he started his entrepreneurial journey along with his wife who he had met in London.

Here’s his inspiring story of how he initially failed at finding himself a pertinent job in the retail sector starting his own business with Rajasthani cushion covers. Soon, he left it to start his export e-commerce business of auto parts with eBay’s cross border platform, which ultimately earned him the Niryat Shree Award from late former President Pranab Mukherjee:

With determination, sheer grit, passion and a dream, this youngpreneur was able to convert all the adversities and challenges he faced into opportunities on his way. Ask him today what has been his learning, and he is quick to respond – “It has been my work-life balance that has always kept me happy and helped me in achieving my goals. I try to pass this wisdom onto the professional family in my company as much as I can.”

Abhinav started his e-commerce export journey with 50 orders a month which has now increased to 5,000 orders. All just by leveraging eBay’s cross border platform that takes pride in India-made products and also provides him with ease of business further helping him simplify and reduce his business costs while giving him market access to over 190 countries.

There are several entrepreneurs like him who have rich experience of operating in the domestic market but are sceptical venturing online fearing complexities and uncertainty. A
survey
conducted recently shows around 95% of local businesses were impacted in April 2020 when the national lockdown was imposed, and 70% surveyed remain disrupted as of August this year despite progressive unlocking. Those firms that have conquered their own limitations and fears around e-selling have been able to tap into the vast potential the online marketplace holds for their enterprises.

It has empowered them with online cataloguing, market insights, third-party logistics service, product promotions, robust customer support and post-transaction experience. As a result, they have not just been able to thrive locally, but also expand globally, shipping to millions of customers abroad.

Here’s a glimpse into the inspiring success stories of several such sellers showing how they have treated their challenges as milestones, clearing roadblocks at every step of the way to eventually build flourishing businesses in a short span of time:

Like Abhinav, scores of Indian entrepreneurs in India who have been selling locally are recognising the sheer opportunity that retail export holds for their local businesses to spread wings. It is also their unparalleled conviction and resilience that has led them to broaden their approach, rethink their business strategy, explore and adopt eBay’s cross border e-commerce as a channel and pave a way for themselves to become ‘Sirf Local Nahi, International Sellers’.

If you feel inspired by these stories, click
here
to know how you can become an international seller yourself.



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