I received a call that changed the way I look at my business forever.
It was from a man named Prince (Name Changed), a 39-year-old salon owner in a small town near Dhule. At first, the conversation seemed like a typical inquiry—he asked about our rotating salon chair and how it could help him work while sitting. But what he shared next shook me to my core.
Two months ago, Prince’s life was turned upside down by a tragic accident. After surgery, his doctor told him that standing for long periods would no longer be possible. For a barber, this is a death sentence for your career. The doctor said that if Prince didn’t take breaks every 15-20 minutes, his condition would worsen. But he knew that in his small town, where haircuts and shaves are priced modestly, no one would wait that long.
He was devastated. How could he take breaks between clients when he was the only person working in his shop? His entire livelihood—and the support for his family—was hanging by a thread.
Prince is not just a barber. He’s the sole provider for his family. His mother is gravely ill, requiring weekly dialysis treatments. His children are still in school, and the medical bills, school fees, and EMIs were becoming impossible to bear. His savings were gone, spent on surgery and his mother’s treatment. And now, standing behind his chair was becoming a burden he could no longer physically bear.
Through tears, Prince told me that he felt trapped. “If I stop working, what happens to my family?” he asked. His voice was breaking, and my heart sank. He told me he had one last hope—our rotating chair, the one that allows barbers to sit while working. It was the only thing he thought could save his career and help him keep working without destroying his health.
But then he told me he couldn’t afford it. All his savings had gone into medical expenses. He didn’t know what to do, but he had somehow managed to get my direct number, hoping I could help. He was desperate. “I have no other hope now,” he said.
Hearing his words, I knew I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. This was about more than a chair. This was about saving a man’s livelihood, his dignity, his future. I offered him the chair at our manufacturing cost, something we’ve never done before. I wanted to make sure he could afford it and continue to support his family.
The next few moments are ones I’ll never forget. Prince thanked me from the bottom of his heart, but then, in a voice filled with emotion, he asked if his mother could speak with me. When I said yes, she came on the phone, her voice trembling with gratitude.
She told me, “You have no idea what you’ve done for us. You’ve saved my son. You’ve saved our family. You are like a god to us.”
At that moment, I was overwhelmed. Tears welled up in my eyes. Her words made me realize something important: at Prosperon Industries, we’re not just manufacturing chairs. We’re giving people the ability to keep their livelihoods, to continue working with dignity, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
This isn’t just a product; it’s a lifeline. It’s hope for people like Prince who would otherwise be forced to give up everything they’ve built. Knowing that our rotating chair is doing more than just providing comfort—it’s helping people hold on to their humanity—makes me prouder than ever of the work we do.
That night, I realized that our mission is far bigger than I had imagined. We’re not just here to provide furniture; we’re here to save livelihoods.
Abhijeet Sonawane (Founder & CEO)
Prosperon Industries
