Karan Modha is a young businessman, and the third generation of a family that believes that businesses should be an intergral part of the local community. Karan is the owner of a successful local business, on the Belgrave Road in Leicester known internationally as "The Golden Mile."
At the age of 31, Karan offers a winning combination of business knowhow and youthful vigour.
Karan was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and went on to gain a degree in business and management from Brunel University. He is a third generation businessman and is currently a management and marketing executive in the family retail fashion business. He is married to Krupali Modha and lives in Leicester with his family.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I feel most at home in my birth city of Leicester.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
The achievements I am most proud of are helping the community with no recognition needed and also gaining my university degree.
3) What inspires you?
My late grandfather Mr Gokaldas Modha was a great inspiration on my life, as he fought obstacles that were much harder when he moved to this country. I have huge admiration for that first generation who came to settle in the UK. I call them the pioneers. They achieved so much. We sometimes take this for granted. But it must be very very hard when you come to a new country.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
The biggest obstacles in my career has been when my father fell ill with a stroke, 16 years ago and my mother was trying to run a business and raising 3 kids at the same time. Therefore, my studies were put on the back burner as I wished to help mother in the family business. I am sure that story is related by other people. I have always put my family first.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
The biggest influence on my career has been Nelson Mandela, as he was a great believer in justice and peace and never gave up, which is what my motto is to date.
Also in the fashion industry Dolce & Gabbana – as they have always been at the forefront of the industry and are still developing latest designs which are an inspiration to all, as well as staying rooted to their true traditions and heritage, which I like to bring into my business also. I believe that fashion should be about traditional values in a modern setting.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
The greatest aspect about my role is seeing happy clients leave with a bespoke outfit that they always dreamt of for their wedding day. As well as seeing their pictures on their magical day, as they will always remember ‘Anokhi’, as we designed their perfect outfit.
Recently, ‘Anokhi’ was the set for a play ‘Handlooms’ written by Rani Moorthy, which is the journey of an Indian mother and her son, who wants to take the Sari business into mass production, online sales and couture. The play upends the usual stereotypes of Asian mothers. The storyline very much related to my family. It was great seeing a play in a retail shop surrounded by all the sarees. I had to pinch myself to realise that this was actually happening.
7) And the worst?
I do not have any worst aspects due to the love of what I do.
8) What are your long term goals?
To be a good husband, son and father. I also want to see our country develop. This is our country and I want us to be in the driving seat for the future.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
The only aspect that would need to change is helping the younger generation; there is not enough help out there for them. They need guidance and support.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Mahatma Gandhi. Who was a great freedom fighter and non-violent activist who always followed non-violence all though his life while leading India to independence and inspired the world with his great works. I know a lot of people quote him as their desert island figure but that is because he such a unique and exceptional figure. There are no Mahatma Ghandi figures in the world today. I am glad we have his statue on the Belgrave Road, we got it before Parliament Square in London!
