"My children are smart. They have doubled the turnover in two years."

Khalil Ahmed Khan started Nadeem Brass Products in 1984 in the city of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, naming the business after his son Nadeem. He started out on his own, producing brass products for exporters based in Delhi and Mumbai.

His dreams of making it big came crashing down in 1991 when one of his buyers did not pay him for a container load of his products. Khalil suffered a loss of $30,000 and was forced to shut down Nadeem Brass Products. However, the good reputation he had maintained with his buyers held him in good stead during this time of hardship. Three years later, upon the insistence of his former customers, he reopened Nadeem Brass Products.

Khalil’s business specializes in brass earrings, bracelets and bangles that are plated with copper/silver. Although Khalil didn’t have the opportunity to pursue higher education, he understands its importance and today, all his children including his daughters, are college graduates. Khalil’s son Nadeem has followed in his father’s footsteps and has taken over the running of the business, while Nadeem’s sister Nazia is responsible for accounts and back office functions. Needless to say, Khalil is proud of his children continuing his legacy.