It was her husband VM Sudheesh’s business that brought entrepreneur Laila Sudheesh to Ernakulam. At the time, she was a homemaker, and life moved on in its usual rhythm.

However, where there is a will, things can change — and so it did for Laila. She had always been interested in art from a young age, with a particular love for painting. It was only after her marriage that she was able to study fine arts in depth. She trained in mural painting under a teacher in Guruvayur.

Visitors can now see a stunning mural of Lord Krishna dancing on the walls of her home — the result of her hard work. This passion for art later led her to run a short-lived art institute in Kochi called Ujjwala Kalakshetra. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to close it down.

Laila didn’t let that stop her. She was determined to pave her own way. It was her husband’s business approach that inspired her to venture into entrepreneurship.

“My transition from homemaker to entrepreneur began when I took a franchise of a laundry chain in Nellad,” she recalls. Laila later opened three outlets of the laundry service across different parts of Kochi. Eventually, she moved on from the franchise and started her own brand: Care for You.

She emphasises, “When I started the business, my only hope was the customers. They embraced Care for You with open arms. I didn’t even need to advertise — word-of-mouth publicity alone helped the brand grow.”

A brand providing excellent care

A service provider, Care for You became known for offering excellent care to its customers.

As someone who understands the pulse of evolving living situations across the state, she says, “Whether it’s a house, flat, or apartment, customers can rely on us for any kind of service. From minor cleaning tasks to deep cleaning, our services are delivered with precision and expertise.”

“A well-cleaned carpet can last for years. People don’t realise this and often discard it after just a couple of years. We clean carpets, sofas and chairs and even provide shampoo washes,” explains Laila. They also offer deep cleaning for homes, residences and offices. If sanitisation is required in offices or homes, Care for You handles that too.

Innovative service providers

Six years after its launch, her business continues to flourish because Laila stays up to date with market trends and is willing to unlearn and relearn ideas. “We have also gained the trust of our customers. The COVID-19 pandemic, in fact, enhanced the brand’s reputation and reach. It was also a time for learning and applying new ideas,” she recollects.

“When restrictions were in place and people were struggling, Care for You became a source of comfort for customers. Hygiene and cleaning became critical, and we stepped in to meet those needs,” Laila remembers.

They introduced new services and innovative cleaning methods, ensuring everything was top quality. By providing excellent training to their staff, they were able to deliver the best possible service.

The list of services they offer is extensive: AC repair, chemical-free pest control, steam cleaning, polishing of home appliances, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and more. They even manage the maintenance and cleaning of expatriates’ homes and properties.

Leading the way for changemakers

Laila Sudheesh is also the president of WEN (Women Entrepreneurs Network), an organisation that has supported and uplifted countless women entrepreneurs.

WEN began as an informal WhatsApp group created in 2016 by five or six women entrepreneurs, including Sheela Kochouseph Chittilappilly. Today, WEN has grown into Kerala’s largest organisation for women entrepreneurs. After establishing its presence in Ernakulam, WEN has expanded to Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram. Plans are underway to set up chapters in Bengaluru and Coimbatore as well.

Focus on customer satisfaction

“Customers are the foundation of any business,” Laila believes. Her husband Sudheesh once told her, “If your customers become your ambassadors, your business has succeeded.” She has held on to that idea since then, focussing extensively on customer satisfaction.

“It isn’t just about fulfilling a need; it’s about creating happiness that touches both the mind and body. A successful business should be able to provide this kind of satisfaction,” she says.

Evolving into a business family

Laila’s entire family is now moving towards business, with her sons also joining the field. Her husband, VM Sudheesh, has been a Kirloskar generator dealer for over two and a half decades. Their elder son, Ujwal Sudheesh, is already a businessman, while their younger son, Vijwal Sudheesh, is studying at SRM Institute of Science and Technology and plans to join the business after completing his studies.

What do they talk about the most at home? Of course, it’s business.