What Success Meant For the Man Behind S&IB

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not everybody will hold this true, but for Syamal Karmakar, his determination was indeed cast in stone. Hailing from a middle-class family, a young man personified by his invincible bravery, an indomitable spirit, and an impetus to infuse a change, he didn’t want to remain satisfied with a job just for himself but create employment opportunities for millions of other unemployed youth.

It was in the year 1985 when he commenced the journey with a mere Rs.350 as his capital and used it to procure trade license in the lieu of M/s Security and Investigation Bureau (S&IB).

From then onwards, there was no looking back. Mr. Shyamal Karmakar operated his business from his small abode located at 5, Adyanath Saha Road, Kolkata – 700048.

Fortune favoured him on 15^th August, 1985 when got the first business – to deploy 3 security guards at Nager Bazar. At that time, the benefits of having a telephone, a systematically arranged office and good infrastructure were yet to be experienced. The first bill made was of Rs.1050 with a monthly income of Rs. 150 with a monthly instalment of Rs.50, he purchased a bicycle, that too an old one instead of new. His first office was inside a garage that lacked many things – roof, proper floor and also a secured gate. He had hired this garage after 2 years of continuous hard work and had to pay a monthly rent of Rs.100. Having no money to purchase even a roof shade, he somehow managed to buy two chairs and one table by paying instalments. His mind always prowled the aisle of business generation but lacked useful reference. Paying his employees on time is something that he never stepped back from, come what may. For this reason, in the event of a new contract, his clients were requested to pay after raising the bill to disburse his employees’ salaries promptly.

With time, the business bloomed and prospered. Looking after all the aspects of the business, from business generation, marketing, and collecting bills to arranging manpower, making payments, night checking, etc is surely a Herculean task but Mr. Karmakar managed it all single-handedly.

With a bicycle as his only mode of commute, he worked hard and went to various places to engender business and recruit manpower.

The rented garage that he used as office space was later purchased and revamped into a four-storeyed building, popular as “S&IB House.”

S&IB Services Pvt Ltd coursed the path of popularity in other locations as well. S&IB established its credibility in the field of total security solution and integrated facility management services with Pan India presence. Now, the company takes pride in itself for having over 20,000 manpower and a turnover of Rs.400 Crores.

The company aims to provide employment to 50,000 underprivileged men and women by the year 2025 in India. Furthermore, the company targets a revenue growth of Rs.1,000 crore by 2025.

The mantra to succeed by Mr. Shyamal Karmakar is impossible itself spells I AM POSSIBLE and every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.