Savji Dholakia’s entrepreneurial journey reads like a testament to relentless grit and belief in people. Born in a modest family in Gujarat, he faced repeated setbacks early in his career, failing in business ventures multiple times. But instead of giving up, Dholakia kept learning, experimenting and refining his approach to business. That perseverance eventually led him to build Hari Krishna Exports, a diamond and jewellery powerhouse now valued at around ₹12,000 crore, with offices and manufacturing units across India.

What sets Dholakia apart isn’t just his rise from failure to success, but his unconventional approach to employee motivation. In a series of now-viral gestures, he has gifted Mercedes and BMW cars, and even flats to top performers and long-serving employees, turning company success into shared celebration. These generous rewards were not random acts of charity but structured bonuses based on performance milestones, designed to foster loyalty, pride and a sense of ownership among his workforce.

Dholakia’s philosophy focuses on recognising and rewarding potential rather than punishing mistakes, a mindset that helped shape a culture where employees feel valued and motivated to excel. He often emphasises that persistence, self-belief and learning from failure are more important than innate talent — a message that resonates in his personal story and in the success of Hari Krishna Exports.

From early struggles and repeated business failures to leading a multi-thousand-crore enterprise that celebrates its employees with luxury gifts and homes, Dholakia’s journey highlights the power of resilience, people-first leadership and the courage to keep trying against the odds. His approach challenges conventional corporate norms and inspires many aspiring entrepreneurs across India to dream boldly and build inclusively.