In the leading top business podcast interview , host Abhishek Vyas sits down with Girdhar Patel, founder of Atcraft, to uncover how a passion for art turned into a thriving manufacturing business trusted by clients around the world. What began as a humble dream in Jamnagar has now become a symbol of Indian craftsmanship and business innovation.
This business man interview isn’t just about success; it’s about the long road, the failures, and the mindset it takes to build something that lasts. Girdhar’s journey from sketching door handles to exporting high-end designer hardware to embassies and state projects is the kind of real-world story every entrepreneur needs to hear.
The Humble Beginning
When you listen to this business podcast, you realize that success doesn’t always start with big degrees or massive capital. Girdhar shares that his story began with a love for drawing. While his friends pursued conventional education, he chose industrial training after 12th grade — a bold move at that time. In the mid-1980s, this young artist from Jamnagar started designing small hardware parts, turning creativity into a career. By 1994, he launched his first unit, Nandan Brass Industries, focusing on simple hinges and fixers. It wasn’t glamorous — long hours, limited machines, and even more limited funds. But Girdhar had something many others didn’t — patience.
As he shares in the business man interview, “You can’t build a mature business in two or three years. It takes time — like raising a child.”
The Reality of Manufacturing in India
Through this manufacturing business journey, Girdhar talks about the brutal side of the industry — competition, underpricing, and product returns. Many people assume a manufacturing business just needs machines and manpower, but as Girdhar explains, “It’s about innovation, discipline, and understanding your market.”
By the early 2000s, heavy competition from small players forced him to make a tough choice — stop manufacturing and pivot to trading. For many, that would feel like failure. But for Girdhar, it was a necessary evolution. He began sourcing products, improving quality control, and focusing on packaging and brand experience.
In this business podcast, he openly admits that decision-making speed often defines survival. “If something isn’t working,” he says, “don’t get emotional. Change direction fast.”
The Birth of Atcraft — Where Art Meets Industry
The turning point came when Girdhar decided to merge his creative instincts with his industrial experience. Thus, Atcraft was born — a premium hardware brand known for its aesthetic designs and durable engineering.
In the business man interview, he shares how inspiration for a product can come from anywhere — a metro sign, a household object, or even a random pattern on the wall. These moments of observation often evolve into designs that combine simplicity and style.
The manufacturing business at Atcraft focuses on elevating Indian craftsmanship to global standards. Girdhar’s mission is clear: “We don’t just make handles or locks; we design experiences people touch every day.”
Atcraft now caters to embassies, state government buildings, and international clients — a long way from the small workshop days.
The State of Indian Manufacturing Today
A large part of this business podcast dives into the evolution of India’s manufacturing business landscape. Girdhar believes India is now standing on the edge of a major transformation. From automobiles to electronics to defense, the country’s manufacturing base is growing stronger every year.
He acknowledges that India was once dependent on China, but things are changing fast. “We’re learning, adapting, and building our own systems,” he says with conviction. He also recalls a proud moment when Atcraft secured an international order worth nearly ₹100 crore — a testament to how far Indian makers have come.
For entrepreneurs, his advice is simple: trust your process and be patient. “No shortcut works in this line,” he says. “You can’t copy-paste success in manufacturing; you have to build it piece by piece.”
Building a Team That Believes
What sets Girdhar apart is his approach to leadership. He sees his team as the heart of his business. In this business man interview, he explains how understanding each person’s dream and connecting it with the company’s mission creates a stronger bond.
“Your workers are not machines. They have emotions, families, ambitions,” he shares. “If you take care of them, they’ll take care of your business.”
This human-centered philosophy has helped Atcraft maintain a loyal team for decades — a rare thing in today’s fast-moving job market.
🎙️ Dive into the latest Business Podcast with uncover insights into business, skills & entrepreneurship.
Lessons in Resilience and Innovation
The manufacturing business isn’t for the faint-hearted. Girdhar faced product failures, rejections, and financial lows. But every time, he came back stronger. The key? Constant innovation and learning from mistakes.
Some of his early designs were returned or rejected, but instead of giving up, he studied why. Those lessons led to Atcraft’s unique, patented hardware designs — now standard in the industry.
In this business podcast, you can feel the sincerity in his words when he says, “Every failure is a design lesson. You just have to pay attention.
To end,
Girdhar Patel’s journey from a small-town artist to the founder of a multimillion-rupee manufacturing business is both inspiring and deeply human. His story, shared in this business podcast, reminds us that real entrepreneurship is not about quick wins but about endurance, creativity, and adaptability. Through Atcraft, Girdhar has proven that Indian design and manufacturing can compete globally — not by imitation, but through innovation and authenticity. His message for every aspiring entrepreneur is simple yet powerful:
“Don’t rush. Keep creating. Keep believing. Because one day, your work will speak for you.”
Join us on The Founders Dream YouTube channel—where entrepreneurs turn visions into reality, and futures get built today.
He began as an artist who loved drawing and shifted to industrial training after 12th grade. Starting with small hardware designs in the 1980s, he eventually launched his first unit, Nandan Brass Industries, in 1994.
Atcraft is a premium hardware brand founded by Girdhar Patel. It designs and manufactures high-end handles, locks, and designer hardware used in embassies, government buildings, and international projects.
Due to heavy competition and price wars, he pivoted from manufacturing to trading—focusing on sourcing, quality control, and packaging—before later launching Atcraft as a premium, design-focused brand.
