Sadik Hussain Overcoming Physical Challenges to Build a Mattress Business

Sadik Hussain’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of determination and resilience in the face of physical challenges. Having worked for a mattress company for nearly two decades, Sadik found himself at a crossroads. Many of his colleagues, some of whom had joined the company much later, had advanced in their careers while he felt stuck. Disheartened by the lack of opportunities he believed he deserved, Sadik made a bold decision to chart his path in the business world by starting his own mattress venture, Comfort Zone. While he was confident in his ability to manufacture mattresses due to his extensive experience, he encountered several unique obstacles.

One significant challenge Sadik faced was a physical disability – a limp in his leg – which had made moving around challenging for him. This physical limitation often led to him being ignored when visiting shops to promote his products. Consequently, despite his best efforts, Sadik could only secure a mere four or five orders a day. Recognizing his father’s struggles, Sadik’s son proposed an innovative solution – taking the business online. Embracing this idea, Sadik embarked on the digital transformation of his mattress business, launching Comfort Zone on various e-commerce platforms.

During this transformative phase, Sadik had the opportunity to participate in a seller program hosted by Flipkart, which was in preparation for the highly anticipated Big Billion Days Sale. It was during this program that the Flipkart team discovered Sadik’s physical disability and encouraged him to leverage the benefits of the Flipkart Samarth program. The Flipkart Samarth program is a commendable initiative aimed at providing support and opportunities to various segments, including Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), NGOs, rural women, specially-abled individuals, artisans, government bodies, and social enterprises. By earning the Flipkart Samarth Seller tag, Comfort Zone gained enhanced visibility on the Flipkart platform.

The impact of this support was profound. Sadik shared, “All of this helped to bring down the cost of my mattress. In turn, my sales went up, doubling in just two months.” Today, Comfort Zone enjoys substantial daily sales, ranging from 30 to 40 mattresses, with a substantial 70 percent of orders originating from Flipkart. Flipkart, committed to the success of its sellers, provided Sadik with a dedicated account manager who guided him throughout the process, from the initial product launch to ongoing sales and growth strategies. Additionally, Flipkart’s practice of releasing payments three times a week significantly facilitated Sadik’s business expansion efforts.

With an upswing in sales and increased customer trust, Sadik diversified his product range to include three-fold mattresses, sofa-cum beds, and mattresses of various sizes. This success even allowed him to invest in a 200-yard plot to expand his manufacturing capacity further. In addition, Sadik has ambitious plans for product expansion, including designer curtains and vacuum pillows. Reflecting on his transformative journey with Flipkart, Sadik expressed immense pride in being a Flipkart seller. Not only did the platform empower him to flourish as an entrepreneur, but it also garnered him respect and recognition in society. His annual earnings have soared from Rs 4 lakhs to an impressive Rs 40 lakhs.

Sadik Hussain’s inspirational story serves as a shining example of how unwavering determination and the right support can help individuals surmount physical challenges and transform their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Through sheer hard work and the assistance of initiatives like Flipkart Samarth, Sadik has not only reshaped his life but has also built a thriving business along the way.