Bhani Sahni

Interview with Bhanu Sahni
Silk Route

GO2KIEV: Please explain the Silk Route philosophy and why gift giving is a pleasure?

Silk Route provides exciting promotional and corporate gift ideas to businesses who want to reward clients and employees with unique and exotic gifts for use at home as well as the office. We recognize the importance of branding a business with corporate gifting that both entertains clients and provides keepsakes for them. Many of our gifts have been hand selected to help brand your business or send a personal ‘thank you’ as a part of your marketing strategy. Silk Route’s business gifts are unique and not so, well….corporate.

GO2KIEV: Tell us about Silk Route’s promotional and corporate gift items.

We have an extensive selection of gifts, souvenirs, accessories, table linens and cushions. The New Year ornaments are hand embroidered with metallic thread and beading that comes specially wrapped in a matching organza gift pouch. Our elegant silk shawls and pashminas add a dramatic accent to any outfit. The wallets, passport and mobile phone holders are made of premium leather and make for an exclusive professional statement. Our home décor items are truly a special gift to receive and seem to be a favorite amongst our clientele. We have table covers and place mats which are laboriously made and embroidered with intricate designs. The pillow covers come in a variety of shapes, colors and fabrics that range from a modern minimalist to the rich luxurious look. If a client prefers a holistic and simplistic approach to gift giving then we offer Ayurveda aromatherapy spa sets and candles which are made from natural products and bring forth a unique indulgence that is both pleasing and stress free. For a truly functional gift we offer eco friendly and high fashion tote bags that are a perfect way to brand market a business. As well, we offer an outstanding selection of elegant and hand crafted silk woven ties with an exclusive club, company logo, or stylish design. Silk Route’s assortment of gifts goes as far on as the imagination...I am very open to creativity and encourage our customers to give us exciting ideas and suggestions.

GO2KIEV: Who are your corporate clients and what promotional gifts were created?

Silk Route’s tight night of creative professionals strive to think outside of the promotional industry ‘box’ when it comes to assisting clients and we aim to create promotional gifts that set us apart from the typical caps, pens, and t-shirts category. Silk Route fully understands that our customers are the reason we exist. We are always willing to go the extra mile to make sure each item selected is an appropriate marketing gift that meets each company’s budget and deadline. Our clients include the Nestle and Unilever who have ordered hand embroidered Christmas ornaments and gift bags. Brilliantly designed silk scarves were awarded to customers of Avon, Proctor and Gamble and Timotei. Kiev Post and Seimens chose the natural and aromatic incense sets. It’s critical to remember that you only get one chance to make a first impression, and that’s especially true at marketing events. That is why choosing the right promotional product is so important – our purpose is to provide unique and exotic gifts, with attention to detail that send a powerful message to the clients, their customers and employees.

GO2KIEV: Is it possible to purchase these gifts a retail establishment?

Certainly! One can browse and shop at a Silk Route store either of the 2 sections in Metrograd malls. Instantaneously, one is transported to another world in the blink of an eye. We have Ukrainian and Russian celebrities and pop stars that purchase accessories, home furnishing and gifts for their music videos and for personal pleasure. What is most important to me is that these highly individual and exclusive gifts are not exaggerated in price but are a value for the money. This allows for ordinary people to feel extraordinary when the visit and buy gifts from Silk Route.

G02KIEV: As an expatriate entrepreneur, how do you attribute your company’s success?

I have lived in the CIS for over 22 years with a previous corporate work experience with Unilever. I chose a life altering decision to leave the corporate realm and become an entrepreneur in Ukraine in 2000. From those heady and fast track days in Russia and Ukraine in the late 90’s, I learned through perseverance, hard work and multi-national values that businesses can overcome and even prosper through sometimes uncertain and bleak financial moments. Simply put, there are opportunities to expand one’s professional and personal way of thinking when put into the position of ‘thinking outside of the box’ and to find creative and inventive ways to succeed in business. Personally, I find this to be a gift because of the unlimited resources to create a buzz and favorable circumstances.

Silk Route/One World may be contacted at Email: promos@silkroute.kiev.ua Telephone: +380-44-2270819.