Khaleda Begum's Kotpin business started with Rs

A decade and a half ago, five friends started the business of making commemorative crests. In 2020, the crest business of five friends suffered huge losses like all other businesses due to the corona epidemic. Unable to bear the shock of loss, some of the partners left the business. But female entrepreneur Khaleda Begum Luna did not give up. Took a little break to handle the shock. Then changed the type of business. Started a new business of making coatpins.

Khaleda Begum's small venture, which started with a capital of only one lakh taka, is now doing business at around two and a half crore taka a year. In addition to coatpins, the company also manufactures products such as metal badges, awards, trophies, crests, etc. It has already gained quite a reputation. 25 people are now employed in the company which is about to be closed due to Corona.

Coat Pin BD Metal Badge

Recently, I spoke with the owner Khaleda Begum at the office of the company named 'Cot Pin BD' on Elephant Road in the capital. At this time he told about his becoming an entrepreneur and the various challenges and successes of the business. Khaleda Begum was born in Kalapara of Patuakhali. After completing his secondary and higher secondary studies there, he was admitted to Barisal Government BM College in the Department of Soil Science in 2005. He got married during his third year. After marriage, Khaleda moved to Dhaka; However, he did not stop studying. He went to Barisal from Dhaka and completed his graduation and post graduation. Later he completed his MBA from a private university in Dhaka.

We value long-term customer relationship more than extra profit. So we are doing good business with our customers throughout the year.—Khaleda Begum, Proprietor, Kot Pin BD

Starting Business

Year 2011 Khaleda Begum's husband SM Abdus Shakur and his four friends started the business of making crests in Kantaban of the capital. In the beginning, the capital was one lakh rupees. In the beginning they sold different types of trophies, crests, mugs and key rings. At one stage Khaleda Begum also joined that business.

The business was doing fairly well for the first few years. But a big shock comes in 2020 during the corona epidemic. At that time, educational institutions and all kinds of public and private programs were completely closed. The demand for trophies and crests dropped to zero. As a result, the business fell into severe financial crisis. As the income stopped, the debt burden increased. Eventually the partners quit the business. But Khaleda and her husband decided to continue the business by any means to maintain the employment of the workers. The husband and wife started thinking about what can be done by changing the type of business. At that time, the first shock of Corona has also decreased a little. Two of them plan to make various commemorative products with metal coins. In the beginning, he started business by opening a page called 'Coat Pin BD' on Facebook. Later it was institutionalized. Khaleda's husband Abdus Shakur works. Therefore Khaleda Begum herself takes care of the business.

Khaleda Begum said, 'After the corona virus, we found that metal coins can be used to make various products including coatpins and badges. These products are also in demand at the level of corporate institutions, government agencies and general consumers. But there are few companies making good products in the market. So we started the business of making Kotpin. Initially, small orders started coming in. However, the first major purchase order came in February 2022. At that time, they made souvenirs including coatpins in the centenary celebration of Dhaka University Alumni Association. After that Rs 50 lakh job, they did not have to look back.

The products you make

Currently, Khaleda's company manufactures hanging badges, shoulder badges for various law enforcement agencies and public-private organizations. They also manufacture customized coatpins, typepins, cuffings and nameplates in sets. 'Coat Pin BD' provides convocation products of various universities. Apart from this, there are business of diaries, notebooks, wallets, customized power banks, pen drives, water bottles and paperweights. Most of these products are made by 'Coat Pin BD' themselves; A few products are manufactured and supplied by other companies. Kot Pin BD also has a business presence in the sports arena of the country. The company manufactures medals, trophies etc. for local and national level major competitions. Khaleda manufactures metal as well as wooden products like crests, photo frames, key rings, tissue holders, pen holders, card holders.

In addition, Cote Pin BD manufactures products for multinational organizations and embassies. In addition to the domestic market, Coat Pin BD products are being regularly exported to some countries including New Zealand, Hong Kong, United Kingdom through expatriate Bangladeshis. Khaleda Begum said, 'So far we have worked with more than three thousand individuals and organizations. We sell products worth an average of 20 lakh rupees every month.

Manufactured products also come from China

Khaleda Begum said, 'Any product is designed by us. Coatpins or such commemorative products are attractive mainly because of the perfect smoothness (finishing). Therefore, according to the needs of customers, we make various products directly from China. Again, understanding the customer's condition, we make products in our own factory. We have a small factory at Elephant Road. In some cases, they make products according to their own designs from other local institutions.

Khaleda Begum also said, 'Coat Pin BD regularly sells products online. Even if the customer wants one piece of product, it is sold. If you want to buy more products, there is also that capability. We value long-term relationship with customers more than extra profit. So we are doing good business with customers throughout the year.

Khaleda Begum also told about some challenges in this kind of business. He said, global situation, increase in dollar and Chinese currency are also increasing the cost of our business. However, we are managing the business without increasing the price of the product to retain customers. This entrepreneur also told about the dream of setting up a big factory to make metal products in the future. Besides, he wants to open some sales centers in Dhaka under the name of his organization.