Over the years, the number of female entrepreneurs in India has increased, showing that women can succeed in business just as much as men.
Despite the rise, female business owners still encounter several particular difficulties. For female entrepreneurs, things are not just difficult; they are downright difficult, especially in a nation dominated by men. Here, women are still seen as emotional, less ambitious, and unfit to take the initiative and turn a project into a successful business.
But today's women are changing this reality. They are breaking mindsets and proving their worth in every industry. Even when running a successful business, they are on par with men. Several successful women have repeatedly demonstrated it with their inspiring stories.
One such example is themotivational story of Mahananda , who was raised in a traditional family. She was asked to put her plans for further education on hold and choose marriage over her dreams. At the age of 17, she married as per the wishes of her family.
Unfortunately, her marriage was short-lived. She left her abusive husband and took her children along with her. After realizing their terrible choice, her family encouraged her to pursue higher education. Mahananda has a bachelor's degree in arts and is skilled in computers too.
Then, in 2019, Mahananda started her computer institute and began her entrepreneurial journey.
"It's crucial to be financially independent, and I feel pride and accomplishment in supporting my family financially," says Mahananda.
In 2020, she recognised a market for sanitary napkins in her village. She conducted a thorough investigation into the equipment and the raw materials. Later that year, she opened her sanitary napkin manufacturing facility after obtaining a loan of INR 10 lakhs through the "Stree Swabhiman " programme. She works there with five other people and produces nearly 50,000 sanitary pads monthly.
Since 2015, Mahananda has been associated with the Internet Saathi Programme. She was the only female nominee from her village for the programme coordinator position and was later recognised as the best coordinator in her district.
The enthusiastic businesswoman also collaborated with fellow Internet Saathi to market and sold Stree Swabhiman sanitary products. On Women's Day, she gave out 150 packets of free sanitary pads to students and distributed the same at a summit for village entrepreneurs!
Her venture has gained consumers' respect and favor in just a short period. Her clients include NGOs from Bangalore and Gulbarga, the Abudya Trust, and her neighboring villages of Alanda, Chikkaballapur, and Gotur.
She has doubled her monthly income thanks to her education and hard work. She now has another important objective: to provide affordable, environmentally friendly sanitary napkins to women in rural and urban areas.
Like Mahananda, many single moms are taking control of their lives. Along with managing successful businesses/careers, they also look after their families. Nothing is more powerful than a strong, independent woman. You'll start to see your dreams come true the day you decide to pursue them. All you need to do is have confidence in yourself and move forward.If you are a single mother wanting to realize your dreams of running a successful business, then Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly Fair & Lovely Career Foundation) can provide tips, expert guidance, and advice; click here for more information.
