Ajay Ajmera is a first-generation entrepreneur who built one of Surat’s leading textile companies from scratch. Starting his journey as a Class 12 dropout, Ajay today leads Ajmera Fashion, a brand that has empowered over 1.5 lakh textile entrepreneurs, including 10,000+ women starting homebased businesses. With exports to 30+ countries and rapidly growing franchise models like Ajmera Trends and Little Wings, his vision has always been clear: make quality fashion accessible and entrepreneurship possible for everyone.
Travel and Exploration
Surat was the first city I truly explored when I left home at 20. Today, business has taken me across India and beyond, from Dubai to London. But wherever I go, my real journey is through the eyes of textile workers, retailers, and entrepreneurs I meet along the way. Each city teaches me something new about fabrics, business, and people.
Bucket List
- Empower 10 lakh textilepreneurs
- Build India’s most trusted ethnicwear brand
- Create a world-class training ecosystem for new fashion retailers
Define Success
To me, success is seeing aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, who once hesitated to start, now running profitable clothing businesses with confidence. If someone’s life changed because of Ajmera Fashion, that’s my real success.
One Superpower You Wish You Had
Omnipresence. There is so much potential to unlock in the textile industry. I wish I could be everywhere at once to turn every new idea into a reality for our entrepreneurs.
Advice to Young Professionals
Don’t chase shortcuts. Build strong roots. Start small, but think big. A solid BUNIYAAD is the only way to stand tall in the long run.
Thoughts on Work-Life Balance
I don’t believe in strict boundaries. For me, passion is balance. When you love what you do, even challenges give you energy. That said, my time with family and my team rejuvenates me the most.
Daily Routine
A quiet pooja and a cup of chai are my morning essentials. This is followed by a deep dive into our daily dispatches and sales reports. My day is dedicated to building the Ajmera Fashion brand, while my evenings are spent interacting with my team and customers. Sundays are reserved for family and the clarity of solitude.
Must-Watch Movie
Guru. The story, the grit, and the ambition mirror a part of my own journey.
3 Must-Read Books
- Mook Maati (The Silent Earth) by Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj.
- The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Stay Hungry Stay Foolish by Rashmi Bansal.
Passion and Hobbies
Talking to new entrepreneurs gives me unmatched joy. I also enjoy visiting textile markets in different cities, understanding regional trends, and brainstorming with young franchisees.
Thoughts on AI
AI will define the future of business and innovation. Used right, it has the power to create abundance, unlock new opportunities and take industries including textiles to the next level.
Life Mantra
Listen to your heart and work hard for your dreams. You may stumble, but rise again, because girna buri baat nahi hai, gir kar gire rah jaana buri baat hai (Being down and out is not bad, but remaining down and out is).
