Media365
Deepa Jivan has always had a strong creative drive. The London-born founder and CEO of J.Gordhan & Co has used that talent to build a successful business that specialises in designing and developing safe and sustainable arts and crafts products, stationery, lifestyle and educational products, including knitting and crochet kits, craft-themed gifts, stickers, painting-by-numbers and children’s party essentials.
Her Hong Kong-based company creates new designs in-house and works with more than 80 partner factories in mainland China and Asia to supply buyers in markets around the world.
One of the guiding principles of the business, since it was established in 2013, has been to create items that can inspire new experiences and encourage imagination in people’s everyday lives. Designing products that have strong functionality and respect for international safety standards is another major focus.
“Creativity is at the heart of everything we do,” Jivan says. “But global retailers come to us because they can trust us on sustainability and compliance issues. We are mindful of that at every stage of the process – from design and manufacturing to packaging and testing.”
The company prides itself on its strong focus on social responsibility by working with partners that uphold fair labour practices and uses ethical and sustainable materials to make its products, she says.
“We want growth that isn’t at the cost of safety or values,” Jivan says. “That is why we embed sustainability from day one, think like a retailer, protect safety and margins and, by doing so, give customers the confidence to sell our products globally.”
She says that to ensure that J.Gordhan & Co and other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make the right financial decisions and avoid potential missteps as they grow, it is vital that they work with external partners who can understand the business and can offer objective advice.
For that reason, it has teamed up with Standard Chartered’s SME Banking division. She says her company continues to benefit from its specially tailored financial solutions and invaluable regional expertise, including insights into everything from cross-border transactions and contract negotiations to plans for expansion and digitalisation.
Standard Chartered, which offers services across major markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, enables SME clients to manage transactions easily while leveraging the bank’s resources and network to reach the world’s fastest-growing markets.
“Many of our SME clients are constantly looking for opportunities to expand their businesses internationally,” Xie Wen, Standard Chartered’s global head of SME Banking, says. “Standard Chartered’s wide range of financial solutions can help them achieve their expansion goals while our team’s expertise across various regions can also offer insights that will help them navigate challenges and identify opportunities.”
Jivan says greater financial flexibility, including improved control of its cash flow, was one of the immediate advantages she found from working closely with Standard Chartered.
The bank’s SME Banking division also provides support and guidance when facing the challenges and inevitable ups and downs while dealing with factories in China, thousands of different products and the ever-present demands of overseas buyers.
“We know our relationship manager is there for us and always ready to have a conversation which, for an SME, is very different from the majority of banking institutions,” Jivan says. “Having the support and understanding is essential when you are entering new markets. It certainly gives us the confidence to keep moving forward.
“We also have easy access to a bank account that helps us manage cash flow and gives a higher rate of interest. That allows financial agility, which is particularly important in a business environment where cash is king.”
As J.Gordhan & Co expands, the main goal is for it to maintain its momentum, which will take resilience and constant adjustments. Another priority is to create a lasting impact by encouraging mentorship, angel investment and promoting a genuinely inclusive workplace culture.
“Being an entrepreneur is hard, and the pressure builds up as you manage a growing team,” Jivan says. “At the end of the day, though, doing something you believe in is the best reward there is.”
