Hunter Wilson/Daily NewsRaja Bhattacharya co-owns Himalayan Handcrafted Rugs.

Each week, the Daily News profiles a locally owned business.

Name of business: Himalayan Handcrafted Rugs

Location/address: 433 Park Row, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Website: www.kkgv.com

Type of business: Quality area rugs and floor covering

When did it open? 2005

Owners: Raja Bhattacharya and William Parsons

Number of employees: Four

Specialties: Custom design, broadlooms, stock area rugs

How did the business get started? In 2002, a Nepalese rug manufacturing delegation came to the United States to explore distribution opportunity in North America. We invited them to Bowling Green on behalf of Western Kentucky University to do a show and educate the public about Nepal. As a result of this, Himalayan Handcrafted Rugs got started.

What is your background? Bhattacharya has a graduate degree from Western Kentucky University and is a fellow with the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute. He is very passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation.

What are your biggest challenges as a business? As a small business, we have to continuously innovate or find ways to operate more efficiently to stay ahead of competition and be profitable. This is very challenging in these economic times.

What’s your business philosophy? My business philosophy is that you should create your own niche and not copy what your competition is doing. In addition, you should treat your customers and employees with respect and continuously educate and update them regarding your business. I have learned that customers and employees appreciate that.

What issues are affecting your industry? Key factors affecting our industry are slowdown of housing sales, loss of disposable income and fear of the unknown regarding the economy.

What are the factors that make your business successful? Key factors that have contributed toward making us successful and survive these economic times is our people and customers.

How do you handle competition? I have always liked competition. I think it makes us better. We don’t try to do anything different. We just focus on our niche and continuously try to innovate, both products and service that we offer.

What is your advice to someone thinking about opening a business? The key to opening a new business is meticulous planning and timely execution of that planning. You have to understand your products and services very well along with your potential market. Do not make rash decisions and try to follow others. That will not work in the long term. You will make mistakes. The key is that you don’t repeat those mistakes. Finally, proper financing and capital base is also extremely important especially in these economic times.