Despite facing poverty, family setbacks, and personal tragedies, Radha Govind's determination led him to establish a successful enterprise, providing employment and uplifting his community.
At just 8 years old, Radha Govind was expelled from school for not being able to pay the fees. Undeterred, he completed his education and began his business with only Rs 11.50 and has since built an enterprise worth crores. A resident of Bagru, a small village in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Radha Govind faced many challenges along the way. However, he never gave up. Today, his company, Ohoo Jaipur, has an annual turnover of Rs 40 to 50 crore and employs 150 people.
Financial struggles
The family’s ancestral block printing business, which had been thriving for nearly 500 years, began to falter. This led to significant financial hardship. Radha Govind’s father had been continuing the family tradition of printing on cloth, but misfortune struck, and the business started to suffer losses. This downturn severely impacted the family’s financial situation. In an interview, Radha Govind recalled how, at the young age of 7 or 8, he saw his mother asking neighbours for ration, as there was often a shortage of food at home.
Education
When Radha Govind was expelled from school, he ran away from home. When he returned, his mother fainted at the sight of him. This incident became a turning point in his life, motivating him to achieve something significant. Determined to change his circumstances, he began distributing newspapers door to door in his village. With just Rs 11.50, he opened a small shop outside his home to support his family and education. In class 12, he started tutoring younger students. At the same time, someone mentioned that a career in administrative services was highly regarded, which prompted him to enrol in a government college.
Facing challenges
Radha Govind was an exceptional student, topping his LLB class. However, during his final year, tragedy struck when his cousin committed suicide due to the pressures of studying, leaving Radha Govind struggling with mental health issues. Amidst this turmoil, his family arranged his marriage. Before the wedding, he travelled to Mumbai to participate in an exhibition, where he met Nitin, who had a stall nearby. Nitin introduced him to the business opportunities available in Mumbai. Though Radha Govind returned to his village, the idea of establishing a business in Mumbai stayed with him.
Perseverance
One day, Radha Govind decided to take the leap and moved to Mumbai. He spent his first nights sleeping at Borivali station, approaching anyone who appeared well-dressed and asking them for work. After two days without success, he called his friend Nitin, who arranged for him to stay at a stall where he also worked during the day. After working there for a few days, Radha Govind returned to his village to get married. Just seven to eight days after the wedding, he returned to Mumbai, determined to pursue his dreams.
Ohoo Jaipur
When Radha Govind's wife learned about his situation, she became a source of strength for him. Together, they organized an exhibition in Borivali, which later evolved into a store called 'Ohoo Jaipur.' Over time, they expanded to four shops, and soon, they began receiving franchise requests. To grow the business further, they took out a loan and opened a well-furnished store in Juhu.
Business success
Radha Govind recalls that he invited his parents to the opening of their new store. However, just five days later, the first Covid lockdown was imposed. After the pandemic, the business gradually gained momentum, but shortly after opening their fourth shop, a second lockdown was enforced. Despite these setbacks, Radha Govind remained determined and worked patiently. They have now established a factory in their village, providing employment to 40 to 50 women. Today, this venture has a turnover of Rs 40 to 50 crores, with four stores in Mumbai and 150 to 200 employees.
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