Faiza Tehseen

As the famous saying goes, behind every successful man, there stands a woman. But there was a complete role reversal in Shabnam Asif’s case, as her husband and mentor Asif Sheikh helped her grow into a successful businesswoman with his unrelenting encouragement, support and pep talk. Shabnam Asif, a strong, dignified woman, has been successfully running her shoe-making company Raja Industries for the past 19 years. She is the CEO and owner of the company that is a well-established brand in the international market.

Talking to WealthPK, Shabnam said, “I faced problems in the beginning but all ebbed away with the passage of time. Now from manufacturing to export, I hold all the operations smoothly.” Lightweight casual and formal footwear are the signature products of Raja Industries, mostly exported to European countries, such as Germany and the Czech Republic.

Footwear of any color and design is also manufactured as per the customer’s request. Raja Industries also supplies trendy shoes to famous Pakistani brands. Shabnam Asif is also one of the founder members of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sialkot (WCCIS). Internationally, the company is famous as ‘Raja Industries’ and locally it is known as ‘Rajax shoes’. Raja Industries also showcases its online brand ‘Asfark’. Normally, a container contains 3,000 pairs of shoes. The company ships more than two shipments abroad.

Shabnam strongly supports female education and skill development. One of her daughters is a lawyer, one is a software engineer, and the other three are also master’s degree holders in different disciplines. She is a strong believer in education and training of woman. For her, every human being is unique in any special ability, and proper education and training help explore it.

“Education and skill training help earn a sustainable livelihood. Unfortunately, in our society, there is still a great need to bring awareness. Mostly, women are not appreciated to learn professional skills. This taboo needs to be broken. A skillful and educated woman is a great support for her family,’’ said Shabnam.

About 225 people are working in Raja Industries of which 25 are women. All the workers are properly employed under the labour laws and are registered with the Employees Old Age Benefit Scheme (EOBI). The social security card of EOBI enables them to get government support, i.e. medical treatment, marriage fund, education fund, pensions, etc.

“During the days of Covid-19 pandemic, I did not abandon any of my workers. We did the best business during the pandemic and not a single worker faced any financial trouble,” said Shabnam. She also won the best ‘tax-paying lady’ award in 2022 presented by Usman Dar, Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme. Recalling the distant, past memories, she shared with WealthPK that her husband Aasif Sheikh (late) established the company in 1965.

“Asif was a great optimist and despite my abhorrence to participate in business activities, he trained me to manage the family business. It was as though he had foreseen his end and wanted me to head and manage the company. I joined the business. Most of the people Asif appointed are still working. Their loyalty played a great role in reinforcing our business. A timely decision taken by my husband has saved me from a huge trouble. I successfully raised and educated my daughters and they are also of great support to me,” Shabnam added.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk