Meet Vibrant Hemant Marda of Foreign Trade Consultancy

“Don’t judge the book by its cover.” Today we present to you the story of an individual for whom this quote fits perfectly well! The world knows him as a businessman and an established name of West Bengal. His family business of foreign trade consultancy is a legacy that is three generations old. As we connect better, we realize he is as eager as a child. This habit keeps him too engrossed in his life. There is not an ounce of pride or boast that we could see in his talks. One must live life to the fullest and here is one such personality, who at the age of 60+ has a to-do bucket list. We at storyofsouls.com defines him as a versatile and multi-talented person.

Introduction

Meet Hemant Marda, as you interact in the first go, you will find him to be the normal business person, one who is working towards his vision. However, as you dig deep you will understand that he is class apart. He is leading by example while having a healthy work-life balance. Most businessmen say that we are busy and have no time to pursue our passion. But unlike the rest of the crowd, be it family, social gatherings, societal network, meetings or travelling, he is doing it all with utmost ease.

Early Life

Hemant was much clear about his vision at an early age. At the age of just 16 years, he joined his family business. The nature of this business fascinates him as it involves meeting new people and travelling. Much early in his life, he has met top business and government officials pertaining to work. Air travel was yet another interesting space where he loves to work. On the same day, he can travel from one destination to another even after being worn out.

It’s not just a business – it’s a Family Legacy!

The Foreign Trade consultancy business was founded by his family around 65 years ago. They have been a top-runner with a pan India presence. Later, it expanded into TOURISM around 15 years back and into few more Business avenues. He stayed for several years in UAE and Nepal for Business but came back to Kolkata due to his love for the City.

The present business was started by his grandfather, 65 years ago. In the Foreign Trade consultancy, they have been top-runner in India. The firm has 9-10 branches all over the country. Today in his organisation, they have family members who are from, as old as 85 years old to as young as 28 years old. That’s the age range rare to find in today’s businesses. This fact makes us curious toknow, do they have issues while managing the family business? He accepts this is a universal fact that every house has its share of conflict, however, it should never come out of the walls! Indeed, that’s how it should be.

Further, he explains major conflicts happens because of monetary reasons, generation gap and intolerances. If you’re able to sort them out, then chances are everyone will be happy working. ‘In our Organization, we honour everyone by keeping this a priority. We follow our own family corporate management system that everyone is entitled to be reimbursed as per their job profile. Honesty and transparency are the two strong pillars by which we always stand.’

Secrets of having a successful family business

Marda shares his experience of a successful Joint Family Organization business. ‘It is that we all must have high tolerance levels amongst us. When you have three generations working together at the management level it is much required that you understand every one. For example, someone is good at marketing, another is good in finance, someone is good at networking etc. So, we should respect everyone’s quality and work accordingly.’

In an answer to the question, ‘does designation comes in between the family love?’, Hemant Marda said that the designations in Family organizations are just for the namesake, what is important is to have good relations and right mind bend. Also, he replied that many family members are not directors in any of the firms but still enjoy power in the decision-making process.

Professionally

As he begins his journey as an entrepreneur, he relishes being in the company of big-shots mostly daily in his father’s Office Cabin and learns from the discussions over numerous cups of tea. He got admission to the most reputed Xavier’s College. However, he had to forgo, due to the strict attendance rules of the college and hence, got admission to a different college. His first love is business and networking. Throughout these many years, 10 am-6 pm is his office time and after that, it’s his networking life. According to him, if you are unable to manage your work priorities within the office time then you’re inefficient.

Have there been struggles in your life?

“Of course, you tell who doesn’t have struggles in their life? I am no exception. There has been a phase in our business when we had financial constraints. But I never ran away from the problems shooting at me from society. The more you run, the more people will get anxious. However, if you stand tall and discuss with patience and show your willingness to settle the issues, I feel people will appreciate your gesture as well as support you.” These struggles will make you even stronger.

He adds, “such times teach you to understand the genuine people around you and the people who are on your side. It makes you understand and highlight the people who are only with you due to monetary reasons and not your relationship. Furthermore, the most important thing is that when you come out of these hurdles, people in society respect you even more.”

Achievements

An individual is considered to have a versatile personality when he is able to learn several things apart from livelihood. Marda is one such live example who teaches us how to lead a good life. He is a member of the Leo turn Lions club and the State president of the Indian Junior Chamber (Jaycees). Apart from this, he is a senior committee member at Calcutta Chamber of Commerce and Matri Mangalam Hospital. Currently, he is serving as the president of Purva Kolkata Maheshwari Sabha. He has also been Kolkata Police honorary officer from 92-96 and has done a degree in Alternative medicine.

An evolver

All these things show how passionate he is to expand his horizons more and more. He does not limit himself to just being the member or president of various clubs. But, also loves to step into unique activities. Few examples are that he is Blackbelt in Tae kwon do (Korean Marshal art) and one such person who has done ice-skating in Kolkata. He is a global traveller who has been to many countries and even spent months in a few. He learned to speak Mandarin and Arabic for his business purposes and admits he is not very fluent in both due to the lack of practice.

Social Commitments and engagement

Hemant Marda has also been an organiser to various Music Programs and an advisor to the NISSHAD Musical Group. He has produced few short films and is also the Vice-chairman of the Kalakar awards and Bharat Nirman Awards. Having experience in each and every terrain is one of the reasons for him being a judge of several Beauty contests and Durga Puja Awards and many more. He was the Sub Editor of Karate Today Magazine Presently and is also the Chief advisor for Priyadarshini Magazine.

Participation and learning develop the personality of a person and gives him the experience of a lifetime. Hemant has been on several talk shows and debates, as a participant and has also done comparing. his thirst for learning new things has incited him to learn tabla recently and used to play the guitar as well. He is the Chartered President of BNI N KNIGHTS. He loves to dance and to keep this passion alive he used to do a contemporary dance class from 10-11 pm the night even after his tiring day schedule.

His Family

In terms of family, he is blessed to have two beautiful daughters, who are well settled abroad. They both are working in eminent MNC’s. Elder one is married and blessed with a daughter. His wife is following her heart i.e., her passion for travelling and photography. He is a grandfather to an adorable baby. He has a loveable family with a great value system.

His Philanthropy

He feels that patience is something that everyone must have in today’s world. One should not focus on other people’s success and growth. Your focus should be on your inner development. You must work on your business and skills to take it to the next level. Time management is another art that must be skilled in today’s time. If you want to compete with others, then you must compete with their thought process and lifestyle as well.

An inspiration

There are two things; one is the designation that comes professionally to you and the other is the respect for you that you earn by your actions, deeds, and character.

Hemant Marda, a man who along with his business foreign trade consultancy also tourism has been associated with several committees. A global traveller, one who knows several languages and passionately follows several hobbies. Networking is his way of living. According to him, one should always keep in touch with people without any specific reason. A man with a calm and cool head, with a principle of no gossip and no politics. Indeed, an example for today’s generation that how should one live their life…

You can also share your life story with us at replytosos@gmail.com. Story Of Souls is an initiative where we invite people to bring their stories to us. We want people to “write to heal.” The idea of Storyofsouls has been appreciated by ALL INDIA RADIO, an Online Platform where you can share your real-life stories. The impact of our stories has reached to UN, Harvard University. On some real-life stories, web series are also planned. You can also visit our Youtube channel.  You can follow us on Facebook    LinkedIn      Instagram