This paper presents a development of a conceptual total quality management (TQM) model for introduction and implementation of TQM in small and medium sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) in the north Karnataka region. The development of this model is based on the TQM literature review, the structured interviews, and general characteristics of 295 SMMEs in the northern Karnataka firms. This model provides the users with a number of practices, drawn mainly from the northern Karnataka firms' experiences in general and their failures and problems in particular. The present study attempts to fill the gap by identifying the critical factors of managing the SMMEs' quality, and proposes a holistic conceptual framework for the implementation of TQM in the SMMEs industry. The benefits of this proposed model is that it helps its users in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their TQM implementation, targeting their improvement areas, setting up an action plan for improvements, and tailoring a special part to the needs of their firms.