How a doll-maker rebuilt his plush toy empire after losing it to Covid-19 

Following his SSC examination in 2012, Sajib Sheikh travelled from Faridpur to visit his uncle in Kamrangirchar.  One day, his uncle took Sajib to a plush toy factory that he owned. 

In the Rony Market area stood a large cloth doll factory with more than 50 workers.

"If you like it here, you can come visit sometime," his uncle told him.

With three months left before his results, Sajib found himself with time to spare. So he began visiting the factory every day.

At first, he learnt how to attach the eyes and face onto the plushies. Then he learnt to stuff fibre to shape the body. Gradually, he picked up cutting and sewing as well.

His uncle also taught him where to source raw materials, where to deliver products in Chawkbazar, and how to collect payments.

In time, he built close relationships with the workers. He observed who was getting paid weekly and who received monthly wages. 

After three months, his SSC results came back: a GPA of 4.39, considered satisfactory.

Sajib's father asked him to collect polytechnic admission forms and prepare for the entrance exam. Sajib complied while continuing to work at the factory. Eventually, he was selected for Gopalganj Polytechnic. 

"Shakti Foundation has been working for more than three decades to advance women's socio-economic empowerment across Bangladesh. Through initiatives spanning education, healthcare and financial security, we are continuing to create opportunities for women to become self-reliant."  -  Asaduzzaman, senior director and head of Microfinance Programme, Shakti Foundation

But by then, his heart was already in the factory. He quietly let the admission opportunity pass. 

Seeing his commitment, his uncle convinced Sajib's parents to let him stay in Kamrangirchar and enrol in a good college. 

His uncle later made him the factory manager, with a salary of Tk16,000.

Discontinuing his studies, Sajib moved into the factory itself. His day would begin at 8am and often ended at midnight. Initially, he would return home for meals, but eventually stopped, as it took too much time. Living, eating and sleeping all took place at the factory.

Every night, the uncle and nephew would sit together to settle the day's accounts before going to bed. By 2013, Sajib's salary had risen to Tk18,000.  

Starting his own venture

When Sajib shared his plan of starting his own factory, his father's natural question was, "Where will you get the capital?"

At the time, Sajib had savings of around Tk80,000. But he knew it would not be enough to start something substantial. A single sewing machine alone cost about Tk18,000.

So, Sajib rented a small room for Tk5,000 and began working by himself. In the early days, he could produce 50 to 60 dolls a day.

But once he began exploring the market, he realised the demand was far greater.

For nine months, Sajib ran the small factory with just two workers. But orders kept pouring in. Eventually, he rented a larger space at a monthly cost of Tk11,500. The workforce grew to seven, while the number of machines increased to five. 

Sajib with plush toys produced at his factory.

Just one month after moving into the new factory, Sajib became the father of a daughter. Relatives gifted nearly Tk100,000 to celebrate the newborn — money that he immediately invested into the business.

As demand continued to rise, the factory expanded again. This time, Sajib rented a much larger space at Rony Market for Tk42,000 a month. By then, the factory had 16 machines and employed 38 workers, producing around 2,000 dolls every day.

Struck by the pandemic

In the wholesale business, selling on credit is common practice. As orders increased, so did the amount owed by buyers. By the time Covid-19 pandemic struck, outstanding payments had climbed to Tk14 lakh.

Wholesalers usually clear their dues around Eid. But in 2020, Eid itself was overshadowed by lockdowns.

Most workers had to be laid off. Even then, Sajib continued paying salaries to 10 selected artisans for nine months despite halted production. Just as he was preparing to recover, the second wave of Covid-19 hit.

This time, he lost everything.

The remaining capital ran out, all workers had to be let go, machines were sold off and the factory space was abandoned.

Orders continue to grow steadily in the post-pandemic period. 

Starting afresh

Recovering from the pandemic shock took time.

In 2022, Sajib borrowed Tk2 lakh from his father and opened another factory in Kazibari near Rony Market with nine workers.

Orders continued to rise steadily, during which time, Sajib changed factory locations three times — each move bringing him to a larger space than before.

About a year and a half ago, he took a Tk1.5 lakh loan from Shakti Foundation through his wife, Selina Begum. He repaid the full amount within 11 months.

Now, Sajib makes between 700 and 800 dolls a day. He hopes that within the next two years, the business will return to its pre-pandemic scale.

"Shakti Foundation has been working for more than three decades to advance women's socio-economic empowerment across Bangladesh," says Asaduzzaman, senior director and head of the microfinance programme at the organisation. "Through initiatives spanning education, healthcare and financial security, we are continuing to create opportunities for women to become self-reliant." 

No regrets about leaving school behind

Sajib says he has no regrets about not being able to continue his studies.

Reflecting on the path his life has taken, he says many of his former classmates who studied at polytechnic institutes are now working low-paying jobs.

"Many of my batchmates studied at polytechnics, but now I see them working jobs that pay Tk10,000 to Tk12,000 a month," he says. "Some learned electrical or electronics work but are now employed in construction. Compared to that, I am doing quite well. I have no regrets."

Sajib's elder daughter is now in Class One, while his younger daughter is seven months old.

The factory remains closed on Fridays, his only weekly day off. He prefers spending the day at home with his family, especially his daughters.

On Fridays, the family often cooks the children's favourite meals and eats together — moments Sajib says he cherishes the most.