In a remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Imran Hossain and Iftekhar Ahmed Efad turned a modest investment of Tk12,000 into a thriving cap business named “Head Gear.” The inception of this venture was sparked during the pandemic when Imran expressed his desire to start an online business to his brother Iftekhar while playing a mobile phone game. Recognizing the need for uniqueness in the market, Iftekhar suggested selling caps, identifying a gap in the local market.
With the name “Head Gear” and a distinctive logo chosen, Imran invested Tk12,000 to buy caps from Siddique Bazar in Old Dhaka. Their initial strategy involved exclusive sales through Facebook and Instagram. Within 15 days, all caps were sold out, yielding Tk52,000 in revenue. Despite starting as resellers, the brothers swiftly transformed Head Gear into a successful cap business, offering nearly 120 designs by 2021.
The brothers aimed to revolutionize the cap market in Bangladesh, perceiving potential where others deemed the industry too small for significant players. Despite challenges, they witnessed steady growth, amassing a community of 120,000 followers by 2022. However, an unexpected setback occurred when Facebook abruptly removed their page in 2022, resulting in the loss of followers and revenue overnight.
Rather than succumbing to disappointment, the brothers embraced e-commerce fully. They established headgearbd.com and experienced positive responses from customers. Seeking to elevate the brand further, Imran partnered with Ikramul Hoque Rayan and Erfanul Hoque, bringing supply chain and IT expertise to Head Gear.
Following the transition to e-commerce, Head Gear achieved remarkable success in 2023, with sales soaring by 643%, culminating in a revenue milestone of Tk1 crore. The company’s growth became more organized with improved product quality, packaging, and sales management after the collaboration with the Hoque brothers.
Despite the challenges faced in 2022, Head Gear emerged resilient in 2023, symbolizing a testament to their determination and adaptability. The brand’s goal is to popularize itself as the first-ever cap brand in Bangladesh, with plans to enter the global market by 2025. The team has relocated to a new office in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential area, signaling a new phase in their journey.
Ikramul Hoque Rayan emphasized their ambition to build the Head Gear brand like New Era, a leading global cap manufacturer. The company is currently in talks with multinational and local brands for partnerships and is planning to establish experience zones in various locations. Acknowledging angel investments as a crucial factor in their growth, Rayan expressed gratitude for the journey thus far, recognizing that this stage feels like just the beginning.
Head Gear’s inspiring journey from a small investment to a Tk1 crore annual turnover showcases resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to revolutionizing the cap industry in Bangladesh. The brand’s success story reflects the power of determination, strategic partnerships, and a forward-looking approach to e-commerce.