At a time when the government’s push is on increasing exports, it is interesting to come across Brown Box Exports, a fledgling enterprise in the realm of foreign trade.
The company founded by Andrew D’Souza, is based in Chimbel and specializes in export-import (EXIM) trade of products that are inherently Indian and traditional in nature.
D’Souza’s says, Brown Box Exports takes India beyond its borders. ”When a shipment leaves the shores of India, in a plain brown box, it is never just cargo for me. It is Kashmir’s saffron in full bloom, Assam’s tea leaves kissed by the monsoon rains, Kerala’s ancient Ayurveda distilled into wellness. And Goa’s artisans shaping tradition into art,” he says.
D’Souza started his business with the exports of spices such as nutmeg, turmeric, and pepper sourced from Kerala , and dispatched to a vendor in Argentina, South America. Saffron, a high-value produce, is another product the unit exports. The saffron is purchased from Kashmir, and dispatched to buyers in the Middle East countries- Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
At 33, and belonging to one of the smallest states, D’Souza’s ambition is to take Indian products to the global stage. For 10 years he worked in the digital marketing team of a film production house in Mumbai, before the bug of entrepreneurship bit him.
“The job was good but, I missed my family and wanted to be with them in Goa. I thought of starting something of my own and in my birth state. The going so far is good. We are looking at expanding the team in the coming months,” he says.
Speaking about why he chose the export business, D’Souza says that, while the financial rewards are satisfying the true motivation runs deeper. “After journeying across different states we discovered treasures that deserve to shine on the world stage. Not merely because they are beautiful, but because they embody centuries of culture, skill, and heritage. From the terracotta of Uttar Pradesh to the handwoven carpets of Kashmir, every region holds a masterpiece.”
Working with buyers in different continents requires him to travel a lot and meet a lot of people. “My company is not a startup in the true sense of the term, viz. it is not created out of an ingenious idea. The EXIM business is old school. It is a conventional business and in existence for a long time,” he explains.
From Goa, D’Souza envisages a wide variety of products that can be exported in the future. “In Goa I visited a lot of markets and consumer exhibitions. There are a lot of local hand-made products that have the potential to sell well abroad. I really want to see a Goan product on an international supermarket shelf. The world is a market today. We are looking at Azulejo tiles to sell overseas. Talks are on with buyers in Vietnam and Thailand to sell the tiles. Besides we are also eyeing exports of, ayurvedic herb extracts of Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Triphala, etc.,” he discloses.
Brown Box Exports, although an EXIM firm is presently focused on exports. The import part of the business is still to be activated. “Imports require capital and international partners,” says D’Souza.
As a new company Brown Box Exports is taking fledging steps in the world of international trade. Looking ahead, the company envisions expanding its portfolio of organic, handcrafted, and eco-conscious goods to meet the growing demand for sustainable products. “Our vision is simple: when someone opens a Brown Box cargo anywhere in the world, they don’t just see a product- they see India,” says D’Souza.
In the future envisages his firm to grow bigger by way of addition to the staff rolls, a bigger range of products and catering to more markets. Presently the company mostly operates online. However meeting the sellers requires personal visits and lot of travelling to other states,” he says.
