A sound business plan is augmented by sound market knowledge, which, combined with product quality and affordable prices assures success.
This dictum has been continuously proved by Harish and Jyoti Lodhia, owners of Sona Sansaar, which moved to their purpose-built building (Tulja Centre) at 190 Stoddard Road in Mt Roskill on May 10, 2013.
The glittering showroom not only inaugurated a new chapter in Sona Sansaar’s colourful history but also spelt an auspicious beginning for the new shopping complex, which is fast becoming an important landmark on Stoddard Road.
The showroom, with its unique ambience, extensive range of gold jewellery, nine, 14, 18, 22 and 24 Carat gold in white, yellow and rose, oxidised gold, platinum, stainless steel, diamonds, precious and semi-precious and coloured stones, pearls, silver and other items, attracts hundreds of discerning customers from greater Auckland region, North Island and other parts of the country.
As well as bangles, bracelets anklets, chains and necklaces, the well-appointed showroom has in stock exquisite designs in ear, nose and finger rings, pendants and a series of collector’s items.
The growing importance of Papatoetoe encouraged Mr Lodhia to establish a branch of Sona Sansaar at 172 Great South Road (Hunters Corner) early last year.
Other businesses
The new shopping centre accounts for other businesses of the Lodhia family, namely ‘Sakhi’ (saree and dresses showrooms), ‘Sini’ (a new fashion centre). Fortune Marketing, Magic Foods, Jyoti Communications (which owns the 1386 AM frequency) and Tulja Properties.
Their style of doing business, combined with a penchant for elegance and orderliness has been a source of endearment to many and a learning curve for their first son Vishal, who will be followed in the coming years by his younger brother Viraj.
Rich heritage
Mr Lodhia is proud of his family heritage, dating back at least 400 years, with its origin at ‘Sasan Gir,’ the home of Asiatic Lions. His father left his native Gujarat for Fiji in the early part of the 20th Century to begin a new life. Arriving in the South Pacific nation with a small suitcase of clothes and three hand tools to create jewellery, he began his career with ambition.
These qualities, with hard work and honesty earned him and his craftsmanship popularity and within a few decades, he had grown to become the owner of the largest 22-Carat jewellery showroom in the Southern Hemisphere with four branches in Fiji, one each for his four sons (the youngest of who is Harish).
The drive to seek geographic spread, fuelled by the growing political instability in Fiji, took the Lodhia family overseas. Today, the Lodhia family has successful jewellery business in Australia (Sydney and Brisbane), Fiji (Suva), New Zealand (Auckland) and the US (Los Angles).
Photo : Sona Sansaar showroom at 190 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill
