Baramulla is among the most beautiful districts of Kashmir. It has inspired the story of hard work, skill, and vision, where a proud resident, Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, took the traditional art of wood carving and turned it into a successful global business with little formal education. Today, Farooq earns much more than those who have advanced degrees. He runs a prosperous factory with his brothers that produces beautiful wooden furniture, decorative items, and unique home decor pieces. His work has gained recognition not only locally but also internationally, proving that passion and dedication can lead to incredible achievements.
According to Farooq, success is the legacy of his father, who is a pioneer of the wood carving business in Baramulla, having started nearly 50 years ago. "My father was the first to bring this craft to our district, and his dedication inspired us to carry forward his vision," explains Farooq. From being a small local businessman under his father, it now is a well-recognized venture. At present Farooq, with his brothers and children, preserves and promotes traditional Kashmiri wood carving against the demand of the day. The family business has changed a lot over the years. Farooq and his team have managed to cater not only to the local markets but international clients for the order. They trust us in delivering unique and high-quality wooden items that truly represent the essence of Kashmiri craftsmanship." Farooq assigns this success to a focus on quality and innovation through staying rooted in traditional techniques.
Farooq's journey to success was rooted deep in the choice he made to favor entrepreneurship over a government job. This choice was resisted by his father, but he made it anyway. "My father insisted that I opt for a government job, but I told him that we were not meant for it. Instead, we want to create opportunities for others," Farooq recalls. His resolve to be a job provider rather than a seeker has paid off very well. Today, his enterprise is a source of livelihood for many. He has reportedly trained over 400 to 500 individuals in the craftsmanship of wood carving, several of whom have established and managed their businesses. So, these artisans are producing as many employees, for example, between 40 and 50 each. Farooq stresses, "Everyone can't get a government job. That's why we focus on equipping people with skills they can use to start their ventures. "To make it more accessible to people, Farooq gives free training to an educated or non-educated learner. Even for the trainers, he covers the expenditures for traveling to his centers while they undergo training in that particular area. A trainee is thus recruited under a monthly income between ₹10,000 and ₹25,000. "We never advertised our training programs. People will approach because they see some potential in this craft," he concludes.
The business is a family venture in itself for Farooq, as well as his siblings, now also his children. The latter has also joined in order to preserve and spread this rich heritage of Kashmir. "This is not just a business for us; it's a way to keep the art and culture of Kashmir alive," says Farooq. The family employs about 70 to 80 workers and ensures that every piece leaving their factory reflects the artistry and dedication of the team.
Farooq is very enthusiastic about promoting self-sustainability among Kashmir's youth. He feels that if laborers, carpenters, and masons from other parts of the country can find a way to work in Kashmir, why can't they? "If they can make it here, then why can't we? It's not unemployment. We cannot be proactive," he says.
He is of the belief that skills such as wood carving provide lifetime opportunities. Unlike traditional jobs that provide retirement, craftsmanship allows people to work and earn for as long as they want to. Farooq puts it succinctly: "The key to success is determination and hard work, not waiting for opportunities to come to you. Though successful, Farooq concedes that running a business in such a limited-resource and disconnected market region has not been without challenges. Still, he says his focus remains on the solutions rather than the problems, as he is positive about the future and will look to expand his operations while training more people.
Farooq hopes that this initiative will bring awareness of Kashmiri handicrafts into the international market. The journey from a small family business in Baramulla to being a global enterprise has been an extremely inspiring tale of how traditional skills were blended with innovation. His dedication to preserving Kashmir's heritage with creating an opportunity for unemployment reflects that true success lies in uplifting both the self and others.

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