Retailing can be slippery and unsteady for those with a casual interest but there can never be a dull moment for entrepreneurs who care for their customers and render service with a smile.
That is how it has been for Virender Singh Braili, owner of Gilbert Road Discount Liquor Store, located at 20 Framich Street, in Otara, South Auckland.
“Like any other commercial operation, this business also has its usual ups and downs. Nonetheless, success depends on the type of service that one provides to customers. I always look after people who come to our shop,” Mr Braili said.
The liquor store is open 12 hours a day (10 am to 10 pm) seven days a week.
You may consider it a punishing schedule but Mr Braili enjoys talking to customers and catering to their requirements.
“We also supply to parties, weddings and other social, community and business gatherings. Nothing is too big or too small for us,” he said.
Mr Braili arrived from Punjab (India) in 1989.
He was a successful farmer in Hamilton before moving to Auckland to own the liquor shop a few years ago.
While his business acumen is of high order, Mr Braili is better known in the Punjabi community for his services to Kabbadi.
He was the first to organise a Kabbadi competition in Hamilton in 1990.
“It was a great tournament with five teams competing to the Kabbadi Championship. It was the first time the Punjabi community in New Zealand had an opportunity to witness their favourite game,” he said.
Kabbadi has grown since then and the widespread interest for the game from members of the Punjabi and other communities, led to the formation of the New Zealand Kabbadi Federation, of which Mr Braili is the President.
As we went to press, he was in Australia to participate in a major tournament held on June 12 at Griffiths Stadium in Melbourne on behalf of the Federation.
Inderjit Kalkat, President of the Doaba Sports Club, which won the Kabbadi Competition held in April was leading the team at the Tournament .
