Bharat A Patel has come a long way from his modest beginnings at a little-known export house to being the CEO of Shiv Psyllium Industries. According to Mr Patel, it was his passion to lead his company from the industry frontlines that drove him to overcome various obstacles and achieve success.

Learning the ropes

Mr Patel started his career working in an administrative position in an export firm. It was here that he learnt the tricks of the trade, gaining thorough knowledge of the exporting business.

His rise was not meteoric, since he spent a lot of time and energy in acquainting himself with the basics of the business. He gradually learnt the ropes, till he established himself in the business. Mr Patel soon outgrew his old role in the administrative department and went on to become the director of the firm, and remained so for 16 long years.

Then, in 2002, he took over the reins of M/s Tribhovandas & Sons, which had been established in 1977. He renamed the company as Shiv Psyllium Industries, and since then has been at its helm.

Bumpy ride

The path to success was not a smooth one for Mr Patel. He has had to face his share of ups and downs in the “bumpy ride to success”, as he wittingly calls it. His zeal and resilience helped him overcome many challenges that he faced at various points in time. It was his self-confidence and the support of his employees that helped him tide over each and every obstacle that crossed his path.

Mr Patel feels that his entrepreneurial journey so far is quite a satisfying one as he believes that he has achieved much more than he had ever imagined. “The unique characteristic that sets me apart from my competitors, I think, is my risk-taking ability. Of course, my dedication and hard work have definitely stood me in good stead and helped me come so far,” explains Mr Patel.

Future perfect

The accolades showered on Mr Patel have not slowed him down in his race to the top. He keeps pace with the changing times, and is always ready to innovate. It is his spirit of innovation and desire to excel that has assisted him in making Shiv Psyllium Industries a renowned name in the psyllium manufacturing and export market.

The growth of Shiv Psyllium Industries has been slow but steady. Today, this ISO 9001:2000 and HACCP certified company is known throughout the world as a leading exporter of psyllium husks.

Good manufacturing practices, efficient customer relationship management (CRM) and emphasis on quality are some of the factors that have helped Mr Patel secure a sizeable share of the export market.

Mr Patel predicts a significant growth of agro-based industries in the coming years. Going by the industry trends, he foresees a huge demand for psyllium husks in both domestic and international markets.

Personal Life

Mr Patel is a complete family man and does not mix work with his personal life. He spends his pastime watching news telecasts and keeping track of the latest happenings in the world around him.