Season 4 - Episode 12 | Pivoting from being a 3rd Gen of a Family Business to a Founder-led Manufacturer with Ravi Chunilal (Vietnam, Hong Kong)

Thriving in the Age of Disruption

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In this engaging episode of Thriving in the Age of Disruption, Ravi Chunilal recounts how a bold pivot transformed his family's long-standing trading business into a thriving garment manufacturing company in Vietnam. A third-generation entrepreneur, Ravi shares how cultural fluency, a crisis-ready mindset, and a passion for innovation helped him grow Kiara Garments into a 1,000-employee operation, exporting millions of garments annually.

Listeners will gain valuable insights on professionalizing a family business, driving sustainability in a traditionally high-impact industry, and leading with clarity through COVID and other disruptions.

🔑 Key Themes Explored

1. From Trading to Manufacturing: A Strategic Pivot

Facing diminishing returns in fabric trading, Ravi leveraged his deep understanding of textiles and client relationships to launch a factory in Vietnam.

2. Family Business Meets Professionalism

Ravi details the delicate balance of honoring family ties while transforming operations into a performance-driven, scalable enterprise.

3. Crisis Leadership in Action

During COVID-19, Ravi’s factory avoided shutdown by taking over a ferry service for workers—a powerful example of adaptive leadership and creative problem-solving.

4. Defining and Practicing Sustainability

From certified products to exploring renewable energy, Ravi shares how his business embraces responsible manufacturing and consumer awareness.

5. Cultural Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Mindset

Having lived across Taiwan, China, and Vietnam, Ravi's leadership style blends global perspective with local action—thriving through uncertainty and change.

💡 Key Takeaways

✅ Disruption Creates Opportunity – Reimagining business models ensures long-term relevance.
✅ Professionalization Drives Scale – Transparent systems and strong teams create sustainable growth.
✅ Mindset Matters – A “stop at nothing” approach empowers action through any crisis.
✅ Simplicity is a Strength – Resilience is rooted in being able to live with less when needed.

Host: Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra – Founder, Talent Leadership Crucible & Impact Velocity

Guest Speaker: Ravi Chunilal, Managing Director, Capital World & Founder of Kiara Garments, Vietnam

🗓️ Upcoming Events:

. Sustainable Success for Collective Advantage, (SSCA) Program

• Singapore | 26 to 28 November 2025
• Vietnam | 3 to 5 December 2025

Thriving in the Age of Disruption with Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra
Ready to thrive in today’s fast-changing world? Visit our website for exclusive insights and resources from Dr. Ramesh!

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🎙️ This podcast is proudly produced by Talent Leadership Crucible.