From Zero to Exporter: My 9 Year Journey of Grit, Learning, perseverance and Never Giving Up
When I first dreamed of starting my own export business, I had nothing but a strong desire and a stubborn spirit. No capital. No mentor.There was no one to teach me how to export in practical way.I had no clue how the export world worked.
Internet has just started and the speed was slow.There was no mobile internet at that time only desktop internet.
But I had a vision—faint but persistent—that one day I would be doing business with the world.It all had started with me seeing an add in the local newspaper about a two week export training programme almost 20 years back.
This is the story of how I turned that raw dream into a reality, step by step, failure by failure, lesson by lesson.
The Dream That Wouldn’t Die
In those days most people around me saw exporting as something only large companies did—those with fancy offices, fat bank accounts, and foreign contacts. I had none of that. Even my own brother once told me not to dream of exporting business as its done in huge containers requiring huge capitals.
But I had a deep fascination with global business.I knew that export business is really a great adventurous business.and also it is a great way of taking our country to greater heights by earning the most important foreign exchange .So i was determined to accomplish it ,no matter how much time it takes for me to obtain my first export order.
I used to imagine my products being used in distant lands. I didn’t know how it would happen, but something in me was drawn to the idea.
So I decided—I’ll start an export business after obtaining the two week training programme by the government institution called NSIC.
After getting the export training from NSIC i got really encouraged and motivated to do all the hard work and perseverense to establish my export business.
At first I made some mistakes in choosing the right product but later i was able to chose the right product which i may be able to export easily.
IN NEXT BLOG POST I WOULD EXPLAIN IN DETAILS WHAT MISTAKES I DID IN MY EARLY DAYS OF EXPORTING WHICH AS A NEW EXPORTER SHOULD NT
I chose tea ultimately for export as it was the main agricultural export surplus commodity of our state of Assam.Moreover near our home there was a tea company who dealt in tea trading,from where i learned much about tea quality,its grade and its potential of exports.
At first i registered my small tea packaging company with collateral free business loan and registered the udyam registration
I also created a website www.hamsamtea.com for my company which is still there on the internet.
So I would suggest to chose your any local products or any innovative products which you may have developed.
After I made my mind to start tea export I spent hours writing emails to foreign buyers. I listed products on B2B platforms. I tried contacting Indian embassies abroad for trade leads. I got some replies also on my emails.Many times I sent samples also to foreign buyers but with I didn’t got any export order.I received either no further replies or polite rejections.
I WILL ALSO WRITE A POST SOON ABOUT HOW TO GET BUYER OR IMPORTER FOR A PRODUCT,
The moment that change everything:
After nine years of struggle, as i told you the day finally came. I received a reply from a small buyer overseas. It was a modest order—but it was realo.
That moment is hard to describe. I had waited years to read the words:
“We are interested in placing a trial order.”
That first order gave me hope. It proved that my efforts weren’t wasted. From that point, I began to build confidence and relationships. Slowly, my export business started gaining momentum.
That small trail order built the foundation of my strong confidence to execute big export orders in my future export business.
But i didnt have any cash money in hand for executing that much awaited export order.But i ultimately exported the goods without any investment from my side.
CHECK HOW I WAS ABLE TO START EXPORT BUSINESS WITHOUT INVESTMENT
I successfully executed my first export order and started my journey into export business .
I found support from government export promotion bodies and I joined forums where experienced exporters shared tips. I started understanding freight forwarders, customs clearance, packaging norms.
Bit by bit, the puzzle began to make sense.
I wasn’t just trying to “get an order” anymore. I was slowly becoming an exporter in mindset and knowledge.
It took me 9 long years to receive my first real export order.
nine years of doubt, delay, disappointment—and determination.
The day I got that email confirming the order, I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t a huge order, but to me, it was everything.. I was very happy.
That one order was proof that my dream wasn’t foolish. and its not always necessary to be very rich to start a export business .
These days it’s even more easy to start export business through various ways like postal ,courier ,Amazon etc.
And you know that? After that first order, things started moving. Slowly at first, then faster. I kept learning. And I kept growing.
I learned the following from my experience that:
- No One Is Coming to Teach You how to export practically.You should start as soon as you can.
- Start With What You Have
Don’t wait for money, contacts, or perfect timing. Start with curiosity, honesty, and persistence. - You should agree to export any product only after a 100% idea about its product quality.
Because the buyer never compromises on quality and price.it must receive the quality of product which you has been approved . - Honesty is the best policy when it comes to exporting. I have realized all these years in my export business that buyer always accept polite honest explanation from exporters.
- Practical Knowledge Is Power
Real export knowledge isn’t in textbooks. It’s in real-life calls with buyers, port documentation, shipment issues, and customs clearance delays. Learn by doing.
Why I’m Sharing This
I know there are thousands of people like me—people who want to export but think that it is more complicated .They think they cannot export because they don’t have money, contacts, or experience. People who feel the system is too complex and the competition too strong.
Bit actually export business has become now a days more easy and profitable.
To you, I want to say: Don’t give up.
It’s okay if no one believes in your vision right now. It’s okay if you fail again and again. Just keep moving forward.
Because success in the export business—or any business—doesn’t come from talent alone. It comes from hunger. From obsession. From the refusal to quit.
I’m still learning. Still growing. But now, I do business across borders. And I got here because I didn’t stop, even when everything in me said I should.
If I can do it, you can too.
Just don’t give up.
This was my real education. I learned not from books, but from trying and failing.
3. Use Government Support
In India there are export promotion council responsible for encouraging exports from india.
organizations like DGFT, FIEO, APEDA, tea board ,coffee board, coir board etc.The export promotion councils offer guidance, training, and incentives for new exporters..
They organise meetings, training, buyer seller meet etc for exporters.
4. Build Buyer Trust
Your first export order may take time. But if you show professionalism, follow up consistently, and respond quickly, buyers notice.
5. Stay Patient and Consistent
It took me five years. But those five years gave me the foundation to grow beyond that one order.
Final Thoughts for New Exporters
Starting an export business from scratch with no finance or experience is not easy—but it’s 100% possible.
If you’re a new exporter wondering how to start exporting, just remember:
- Learn by doing
- Start small
- Stay committed
Your first export order may take months or even years, but once it comes, everything changes.
I’m still growing, still learning, and still passionate about global trade. And if someone like me—who started with zero—can build an export business, so can you.
