Sita Yahampath, the co-founder of Kandygs Handlooms (Exports) Pvt. Ltd., along with her granddaughters Isuri Nanayakkara, General Manager, and Dinuri Nanayakkara, Designer, share their inspiring journey of how they have built a dynamic, innovative, and resilient business that empowers women and champions sustainability.

Briefly tell us about Kandygs, its beginnings and its journey thus far

Sita: At Kandygs, we take pride in being a multigenerational family-owned business that has stayed true to its roots while adapting to the times. My husband, Felix Yahampath, and I started the company in our backyard with just 10 machines, naming it after our children’s initials. Today, the second and third generations of our family are leading the charge, ensuring the continuity of our business.

Over the years, Kandygs has grown significantly, with over 300 handlooms, 30 power looms, 50 sewing machines, and a cutting-edge dye house. We opened our first retail store in Colombo in 1976, expanding to three more outlets. In 1980, we entered the export market, starting in Europe with countries like Norway, Germany, the UK, and Spain, and later expanding to Japan, the Maldives, and South Korea.

At Kandygs, we prioritize sustainability and community building. Our fabrics and products are primarily made from biodegradable raw materials like cotton, bamboo, and jute, and are manufactured on handloom machines that use minimal electricity. Our “Weaving with Bamboo” project has earned us recognition for ecological innovation in export circles.

Our cottage weaving projects empower women weavers in rural areas of Sri Lanka, providing them with the ability to work from home while supporting their families. We take pride in protecting and supporting our weavers, who are as important to us as our customers. I believe Kandygs is a testament to our family’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation, sustainability, and community building.

How hard is it to build a successful company and unlock growth opportunities amidst an economic crisis? What works for you?

Sita: As a Sri Lankan family business, Kandygs has weathered many economic storms. In the 1970s, a shortage of raw materials posed a challenge. Yet, our resourcefulness spurred us to create new fabrics using scraps and imagination, resulting in novel textiles.

Today, the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted global retail markets, affecting both our local and export sales. Nevertheless, we have remained resilient and innovative, confident that the right mindset and determination can overcome any crisis. We know our strengths and have stayed the course, emerging from these trials stronger and more adaptable than before.

What obstacles inhibit Sri Lankan women from realizing their potential, and how can we deal with these?

Isuri: Kandygs acknowledges the challenge that Sri Lankan women face in balancing household responsibilities with employment opportunities. To address this, we launched the “Weaving from Home” project, which distributes machines to village weavers and provides training, designs, and materials. Through a 100% buy-back arrangement, we market the products globally. Over 100 weavers currently work from home, and the initiative has driven growth in the local handloom market. Access to education and opportunities is limited in rural areas, which impedes women’s potential. Although some women migrate for work, education and training are critical to positioning themselves advantageously. As a proponent of women’s empowerment, I recognize that creating infrastructure for education, training, and work is crucial for a better future for Sri Lankan women.

What is your vision for yourself and the company?

Isuri: The modern world is characterized by rapid technological advancements, and it is imperative for businesses, past, present, and future, to prioritize sustainability and environmental consciousness to thrive. The shift towards renewable energy, organic agriculture, home gardening, localized sourcing, and manufacturing is imminent and will soon become the norm. These very principles have been the cornerstone of Kandygs, and have guided the preservation of a traditional craft, passed down from generation to generation.

Looking ahead, I am hopeful for a future where our people and our planet are driven by these principles. It is my sincere desire to inspire and encourage future generations to do the same.

What is your approach to leadership? How do you inspire and motivate teams to bring their A-game to the table at all times?

Sita: I firmly believe in the values of honesty and loyalty to our work and employees. We strive to lead with humility while maintaining a firm approach to ensure our team’s success.

Isuri: Admitting mistakes is inevitable, but it is crucial to learn from them and move forward without giving up. To foster a culture of open communication, we prioritize approachability and encourage our team to share their thoughts and ideas.

Dinuri: Our success lies in believing in ourselves and our team, and we are proud to support each other through any challenge. As a designer at Kandygs, I have been able to achieve great success thanks to the continuous support of my family and the Kandygs family.

How do you manage work-life balance?

Isuri: As a family business, we are not only related by blood but also by the bonds of a tight-knit community. We spend a significant amount of time together, both in and out of work, which often leads to discussions about the business. However, we are careful to draw clear boundaries between our social and business lives to prevent overlap. Despite this, we find that we genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and I attribute this to the legacy of my grandparents, who instilled in us the importance of family strength and togetherness.

In what ways are you creating a culture that fosters diversity, equality and inclusion in the companies you lead?

Isuri: By embracing a meritocratic ethos, we prioritize the potential of each individual in our workforce, irrespective of their race, gender, religion, educational attainment, or sexual orientation. We aim to cultivate an environment that fosters ingenuity, empowering every employee to perform to their fullest potential. Thus, our community comprises individuals of all races and creeds working harmoniously as a unified team.

What advice would you give young women aspiring for greatness in their careers and life?

Sita: Believe in yourself, the obstacles will come. Whether you are a woman or not, obstacles will come. The strength of a woman is the ability to face obstacles with the strength of her heart.