Slice of Life: ‘I have to offer good service to retain customer loyalty’

Chennai

I was born and brought up in Chennai. My father was selling betel leaves and areca nuts. Due to his low income and poor family background, I could not study after Class 8. My son is working in a private adhesive company and my daughter is studying Class 8. My flourmill is in Ayanavaram. I grind flour during the weekdays and repair machines of mill owners on Sundays. I do this as a part-time job, and earn at least Rs 750. As my circle is small, I cannot get repairing job every weekend. I have two brothers, one a car driver and other a flower vendor. On weekdays, I open my mill at 8 am and continue to work till 9 pm. Following the proliferation of packed flour items in the market, business has come down in last 10 years. Previously, each flourmill owner could make at least Rs 1,000 per day. However, despite the rise in cost of living, the income has remained same. Another reason for the slump is that only working women who do not have time to clean cereals and need readymade items come. Other set of customers are those who want unadulterated flour. There are many new mills coming up, which is a problem to us. As there are seven flour mills in my area, I have to provide quality service to ensure customer loyalty.