Partnership Anil Counto / Francisco Martins The craft of business Best known for: Being one of the best curio destinations in Goa housing an impressive array of unique souvenirs depicting Goa. The story: A spark that was ignited when friends, Francisco Anil Counto
August 2010
Martins and Anil Counto were on a holiday in Portugal, has today become a flame for creating a niche for souvenirs in Goa. Four years ago, during their trip to Portugal, Anil and Francisco got a chance to visit numerous ceramic factories and workshops that were engrossed in the manufacturing of local centric curious including decor items, magnets, etc. This was the trip that inspired the duo to plan and begin working towards the setting up of a similar unique venture in Goa. Despite the few difficulties that they encountered in the beginning, such was their determination and persistence that they the duo were soon able to get the ball rolling and inaugurated their first Marcou Artifacts (the name being a combination of both their surnames) store, located in the quiet by-lanes of Fontainhas, Panjim, amid much fanfare on April 24, 2012. Being long time friends and having a common desire has
aided this partnership blossom into this highly successful business venture. Today, it is Aakash, Gaurav, Ernleigh and Jurgen, the gen next of the Counto and the Martins families who are also actively involved in this venture as a part of the core team and also deal with various aspects of the functioning of the store and factory. The common idea that Francisco and Anil share is that Marcou Artifacts is only going to grow bigger with each year. There are also plans to have a big village concept where everything, right from designing to selling the final product will take place. Their current production facility is located in Corlim, where all the products, home decor items, magnets, lifestyle items, mugs, plates, etc are designed, crafted and manufactured. They also
Francisco Martins
believe that souvenirs will have a good market and will be a boon for tourism in Goa. Currently Marcou Artifacts has two stores in Panjim and one in Margao
Armacar Group Brothers in arms
Anil, Eishwar, Anand, Joe, Prakash and Vincent Pereira
Best known for: Using the power of ‘We’ to take forward a dream and convert it into a success story with such confidence and business acumen that it has become a business growth story to reckon with. The story: A small hardware store, ‘Loja LA Armacar’, next to the Panjim head post office with hardly any stock to sell was the only business that the Pereira brothers inherited from their father Luis Anotonia Pereira. 44 Business Goa
JULY 2014
However, an insatiable thirst to do something more was always the forte of elder brothers Joe, Prakash and Vincent and thus was conceptualized the idea of starting a sports shop for which the initial investment was provided by their uncle Gerson Gomes. This is how the famous Champs came into being. From thereon, there was no looking back for the brothers who, through sheer hardwork and business acumen, have grown their business empire.
The six ‘Armacar’ (traders of fire arms) brothers – Joe, Prakash, Vincent, Ishwar, Anil and Anand, are all equal partners in all their business ventures which include sports, fitness, designer hardware stores, resorts, restaurants, et al. The word ‘We’ is always in the forefront and remains their strength. Though independent views and ideas and differences of opinion on business decisions exist, it is this very difference, the brothers opine, that culminates
in right decisions being taken. Today, the Armacar group is behind a range of highly successful business ventures. While Luis & Co deals with designer hardware, commercial lights and lifestyle kitchen concepts, Champs is famous for sports goods and fitness equipment. The construction arm of the company boasts of Alor Holiday Resort, Alor Grande Holiday Resort, The Upper House restaurant and Delfinos supermarket