Tell us about yourself.
I am Imtiaz Alam Choudhury, owner and founder of Flagship 138. I was born in Chittagong and did my schooling in India and graduated from the University of Canberra, I am a Chittagong-based businessman with hospitality and real estate background. I am the Director of Hotel Media International Pvt Ltd., Cox’s Bazar and the Founder and CEO of Monark Group of Companies.
What inspired you to work in your chosen field of business?
Since I was a teenager, I was always fascinated by the world of fashion. I was also aware of the opportunities and potential in the retail business. So Falagship 138 was an idea that brought my love for fashion and what broug was working for retail together. While I was studying in Canberra, Australia, I was working for David Jones which is a luxury retail platform for premium brands. The concept of the store originally came from David Jones but with some improvised strategies.
As a business owner, what are your top 3 priorities?
• Premium products with affordable pricing.
• Customer satisfaction – luxe shopping experience.
• People who work for us-giving them a safe work environment.
Why did you choose Dhaka for Flagship 138?
Dhaka is the hub of fashion. There are many notable brands dominating the fashion scene. Dhaka is very vibrant and is a melting pot for different cultures making Dhaka an ideal choice.
What is the concept of Flagship 138?
Flagship 138 is a platform for renowned brands to come together under one roof to showcase their creativity and designs. You can call it a multi-brand store giving the customers a one-stop shopping solution.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced to start Flagship 138?
Choosing brands was the most difficult part. While choosing brands we focused strictly on few things such as Authenticity, Quality, Uniqueness, and Sustainability. Selecting brands was very tough given our requirements.
Where do you see Flagship 138 in the next 5 years?
Flagship 138 needs to become a complete shopping experience with more exciting brands and variety for our customers. We want it to be recognized as a leading retail brand in Bangladesh.
Do you have plans to have more branches of Flagship 138?
Yes, we are looking at the port-city Chittagong for the next Flagship 138.
Do you have plans to work internationally?
Yes, taking Flagship 138 overseas would be a very exciting opportunity for us.
Advise to those starting out.
First of all, find out your inner quality and do what you do best. Do not experiment or do something you have no clue about! A big business starts small. So dedicate yourself and work very hard to make it big. Don’t look at time. Look at goals that need to be achieved. Failing is not an option. Do everything you need to do to attain success.