The Accidental Shopkeeper

Disclaimer: This story is based on wholly imaginative content and resemblance to events or characters is purely coincidental without any malafide intent.

Soham was very fond of the fine arts and music. At a very early age, he could play almost all the instruments of classical Hindusthani music. He learnt vocals also. Although there were no musicians in the family and it was highly surprising how Soham's interest grew in the subject. His was a family of business. Soham's grandfather had set up a 'mom and pop' or a grocery shop after independence which passed on to Soham's father after the grandfather became too old to run the business. Soham had a distantly related uncle from his mother's side who was connected to music although not in a big way. The real force behind Soham's passion was his mother. She secretly desired that her son should make a name for himself in the world of music.

Before her marriage to Soham's father, she learnt to sing Tagore songs and other songs of contemporary songwriters. After marriage, she could not pursue her hobby fearing she would anger her in-laws. But whenever she was alone she would definitely practice on her harmonium. As Soham was every body's pet specially of his grandparents and taking advantage of their indulgences Soham's mother initiated him to music. A regular music teacher was appointed to train Soham. Although condition was that it should not be at the cost of his studies. Soon Soham learnt quite a bit to participate in various music competitions in school programs and functions held during yearly Durga Pujas. His music journey continued along with his studies. He excelled in both of them.

Very soon Soham gave a stellar performance in a reality show aired on television and started getting big musical contracts for films and for Ad jingles. In fact, he did honour few contracts and was paid handsomely. Although money was not much of a factor because they were pretty well off. But now as Soham's father was getting old his father wanted that Soham should marry, settle down in life and take up the reigns of the family business from the father. Soham and his mother were unhappy but they had to come to terms with reality. Soham had finished his graduation meanwhile and as per his dad's wishes completed a course of MBA because secretly his dad wished that Soham should take the business to the next level.

Soham's mother had handpicked a lovely looking girl to be Soham's wife. This girl named Lakshmi came from a good cultured business family who lived next door to Soham's aunt's house. This aunt who happened to be Soham's mother's sister was the one instrumental in connecting the two families. During their many visits to the aunt's house, both Soham and his mother had seen and talked to Lakshmi who had been a regular at the aunt's house Soham's mother had developed a liking for Lakshmi who was also quite friendly with Soham.

Very soon the marriage was solemnised and Soham moved in with Lakshmi. Knowing about Soham's passion Lakshmi like Soham's mother also wished that Soham should take up music full time. But she could only show her support with Soham and his mother but dare not speak her in front of her father in law. Lakshmi also came from a business family and she sometimes had helped her father with his bank dealings and a little bit with his business. Because her father knew Lakshmi had to go away after marriage so there was no point in involving her fully in the business which was being ably supported by her brother. Because of this background, Lakshmi had done her graduation in commerce and could handle the business if the need arose. Both Lakshmi and her mother in law knew that Soham had to take over the day to day activities of their family shop very soon. But they also knew that they were waiting for the opportune time when Soham would devote full time to music and the ultimate reigns of the shop would land in Lakshmi's hand.

So Soham started accompanying his father to the shop and took full charge of the father assisting him. Although Soham had shifted attention to the family business aka shop his focus remained on music. Every morning early he used to get up and devote full three hours on doing practice and there was no compromise with this. He even after convincing his dad started participating in functions here and there and that time Lakshmi used to assist with his father. So everyone was happy, Soham with his music and Soham's father managing the shop with his daughter in law. Slowly and steadily Lakshmi got a grip of the family business. Soham used to support her on and off when time permitted. Seeing His dad happy with the present set up he plunged himself wholeheartedly towards music. The shop was now well looked by Lakshmi with her father in law and sometimes her mother in law chipped in.

But little did anyone know the spark that Lakshmi carried within her although being the Accidental shopkeeper. Lakshmi was very ambitious and had huge plans for the business. Taking confidence in her abilities both her parents in law were happy to pass on the reigns fully to her. In fact, both of them asked Lakshmi to relieve herself from looking after the schooling and studies of Soham and Lakshmi's little daughter Dia. Both the elders took up by turns to drop off and bring back their granddaughter from school and manage with her studies.

Lakshmi now plunged headlong into the business. She had big plans and Soham was fully supportive She started dreaming of owning a big shopping mall and wanted to convert their grocery shop into one such. Soham was in full support of his wife. She didn't find much of a problem convincing her parents in law. They were more than helpful but with their usual word of caution.

During the course of running the family shop, Lakshmi had to deal with many big FMCG companies who were the regular suppliers of the products. In such interactions, she had come across one dynamic sale executive armed with an MBA with good experience and with big ideas. He was Mr. Adhikari. Adhikari had an experience of dealing with both small businesses and big business houses who owned large departmental stores now converted to shopping malls. He had the desire to run such a shopping mall and wanted the backing of a business person also sharing such a passion. This he found in Lakshmi. Lakshmi had the resources both space and capital. The requisite manpower would be brought in by Adhikari from his FMCG space.

The building housed both the shop and living quarters for the Soham family. Lakshmi took a mortgage loan from a bank and extended the building upwards two stories to accommodate the family quarters leaving the three stories below dedicated to the shopping mall. She converted the business from a proprietorship company to a private limited company. She made Adhikari its CEO and hired him with a good salary and gave him stock options with a lock-in period of five years. The businesses made tie-ups with various commercial companies all around the country wishing to listing their products with this new unit for sale.

In the very first year of its operation, this company logged in profit. Lakshmi and Adhikari now decided to go ahead with bigger plans and came up with the expansion. There was no dearth of finance as Banks were more than willing to fund the expansion. Plus as the company was considered a startup owned by a woman entrepreneur lot of Govt. incentives were lined up. The company called 'Dia' s Retail after Soham and Lakshmi's daughter. Dia's Retail now filed with market regulator for an Initial public offering(IPO). Because merchant banker's opinion was that the company was headed for a huge growth and foreign investors were scouting for good companies like this for investment.

Beyond doubt, the IPO was a huge success and when the company was listed on the stock exchange it was at a huge premium. Lakshmi and team were tasting huge success now. There was now more expansion on their mind. The accidental shop keeper had converted a small-time grocery outlet to a multi-million dollar company. Soham was of full praise for Lakshmi and was in awe of her abilities. All the business magazines and business channels on television were going gaga over the development.

Soham's father did not regret encouraging his daughter-in-law to run his shop. Now Soham could fully pursue his dreams in music with complete peace of mind. He helped Lakshmi whenever she needed his help. After all, Soham was an MBA.