In Jhumri Telaiya within Jharkhand's Koderma district, a friendship formed during early schooling has evolved into an inspiring entrepreneurial venture. Vicky Keshri and Khalid Rizwi, who first met as sixth-grade classmates, have transformed their enduring bond into Avon Book Centre, an enterprise that now generates an annual turnover exceeding 50 lakh rupees at just 30 years of age. Their book supply network has progressively expanded from local classrooms to numerous institutions across multiple districts in Jharkhand and Bihar.
From Classroom Companionship to Commercial Enterprise
The origins of this enterprise date back to 2005, when Keshri and Rizwi met in Class 6. Their classroom association steadily developed into a lasting friendship throughout their academic years. After concluding their schooling, both pursued higher education at the same college, eventually completing their bachelor's degrees in 2016.
Alongside their academic pursuits, both young men gathered valuable commercial experience. Keshri gained direct exposure to trade fundamentals through his family's established bag business. While completing his degree, he regularly spent time assisting at the family's retail counter on Station Road, where he honed his skills in customer engagement, demand evaluation, and day-to-day trade management. Meanwhile, Rizwi entered the educational supply field in 2015 as an independent book distributor. Recognizing their combined market experience and mutual commercial drive, the two decided to pool their capabilities into a joint venture.
Expansion Across Multiple Districts in Jharkhand and Bihar
Following their graduation in 2016, the duo officially launched their collaborative book supply operations under the name Avon Book Centre. They initially concentrated on serving schools within Koderma district. By emphasizing timely deliveries, dependable service, and close coordination, their client base grew steadily, allowing them to expand operations beyond their immediate surroundings.
Today, Avon Book Centre delivers educational materials to schools across Barhi, Barkatha, Rajauli, and Giridih, alongside Koderma and various other territories across Jharkhand and Bihar. Their product portfolio encompasses private publisher textbooks designed for students ranging from playgroup through Class 12. Reaching an annual sales volume of more than 50 lakh rupees demonstrates their practical industry understanding and persistent field efforts.
Operational Division and Academic Session Planning
To ensure streamlined daily administration, the founders implemented a distinct division of operational responsibilities. Preparations for forthcoming academic calendars commence well in advance, specifically during October and November. The partners make joint visits to major publishing hubs, including Delhi and Meerut, to inspect publications directly from printing houses and assess materials against modern curriculum requirements and institutional specifications.
Once schools open for the fresh academic year, Keshri oversees in-store logistical operations, counter management, and stock administration. Concurrently, Rizwi conducts institutional visits across regions, engaging with school authorities and securing textbook orders. This systematic delegation of duties has enabled their commercial engine to function smoothly without administrative bottlenecks.
Financial Clarity, Mutual Faith, and Local Employment
According to Keshri, maintaining long-term health in any business partnership requires unrelenting honesty, mutual trust, and total clarity in fiscal bookkeeping. By keeping all transactions completely transparent and documented, the partners have prevented financial disagreements throughout their operating history.
While routine scheduling variations and operational friction occasionally arise, the partners resolve them through prompt mutual discussion. Keshri also observed that outside influences occasionally try to foster friction between business allies, emphasizing that partners must remain vigilant against misunderstandings and protect their mutual confidence. Beyond establishing their own self-reliance, the two entrepreneurs have created jobs for others, currently employing four staff members who support warehouse and distribution operations.
