It is often said that business is in the blood of Gujaratis and people from Gujarat are known for taking on any kind of small opportunity to convert it into a success even if it means walking that extra mile again and again.
Karsanbhai Patel is one such well-known example from Gujarat. Karsanbhai left his government job to become a businessman. It is said that Karsanbhai use to go door-to-door in order to sell detergent on his bicycle. Today, Karsanbhai has a net worth of USD 4.1 billion.
Almost everyone who was hooked to TV in the ’90s will remember the catchy jingle and a young girl in a spotless white frock in a Nirma advertisement. Karsanbhai is the founder of Nirma brand. Born in 1945, Karsanbhai graduated in Chemistry and after completing his graduation Karsanbhai tried to do a regular government job. Karsanbhai also worked as a lab technician. He also worked at the Geology and Mining Department of the Gujarat government.
Things changed completely for Krsanbhai in 1969 when he was trying to mix Soda Ash and few ingredients to make detergent. After much efforts, Karsanbhai got the formula right and then he decided to produce detergents in the 100sq ft backyard of his home.
Karsanbhai's life changed forever after his daughter died in a car accident. But Karsanbhai did not mourn his daughter's death and instead found out a way to make his daughter immortal. Only a few people knew of Karsanbhai's daughter when she was alive, but Karsanbhai's hard work made his daughter Nirupama famous across the country.
Karsanbhai decided to brand his detergent soap, Nirma, after the name of his daughter. The entry of good quality and low price Nirma changed the face of the detergent market in India. It created an entirely new segment in the market for detergent powder. It is said that Karsanbhai also put her daughter's illustration (girl in the white frock) on the Nirma pack and TV commercials so that people remember her.
