''Never back down'', how Bimal's long struggle found success online

Bimal is a passionately hard working businessman based out of a narrow street in one of Kolkata's popular industrial areas. He was born to a family with meagre means but always wanted to make something great out of his life. In the nineties he moved to the city of Kolkata, did various menial jobs and finally started manufacturing leather. Once he set up his business online on Amazon, he finally expereinced success and felt confident to expand. Today, he is the proud owner of Leather Junction, selling pure leather products to customers across India.

''I am Bimal Majumdar. I own Leather Junction. For the past two years, I have been selling on Amazon. Growing up my family was really poor. In the year, 1992, I came to Kolkata. I came to Kolkata after an argument with my parents. When I came to Kolkata I had very little money. I had about 37 to 38 rupees with me at that point of time. However, I kept trying and went pillar to post for a job. Finally, I got to a place where they make sweets. They agreed to give me a job there. Working at the sweet shop was a bad experience because I realised if I continued to work there I may not have a life outside it.

Then I started looking for a job as a security guard. I thought if I work as a security guard, I could learn a new skill. While working as a security guard I learnt how to make pure leather products. Post that I working for about 4 -5 more companies. While learning and working, I also started my business on the side. I started making my own products and selling them in the market. I chose to do business because I have always loved challenges in my life. I chose to do online business because I wanted to take my brand to different cities and villages of India. I knew that Amazon is an international brand through which I can successfully grow my business.

I prefer selling on Amazon over other marketplaces because the sales are higher and the returns are less with Amazon. The few returns that we get, we can easily manage them ourselves. We can also speak to the customers directly and resolve a return related issue. Whenever I face an issue, I directly contact seller support and they help me resolve it quickly. Amazon has made a lot of things convenient for me. In a month we sell products worth 3 – 4 lakhs, we hardly face any problems, and that is what makes selling on Amazon great.''