Grassroots Leader turned Entrepreneurial Success
Pooja Swami, a grassroots woman leader, has emerged as a business-savvy entrepreneur in Kumbhari village in Solapur District of Maharashtra.
Moving from the state of Karnataka to Maharashtra after marriage, Pooja faced significant language barriers in her new home. Struggling to adjust, Pooja began to work at a local beauty parlour and take in small tailoring jobs on the side. In 2018, she started a small home-based jewellery business. Though her initial foray into the business world was not successful, Pooja remained hopeful about running her own business some day. She got this chance in 2022, when she enrolled into SSP’s Entrepreneurship Development Program. Through this intensive 10-day program, Pooja learnt the basics of managing a small-scale business. Identifying the high demand for jewellery, especially during the wedding season, Pooja revived her dream and developed a well-thought out business plan with the support of SSP’s mentors. This time, Pooja convinced her husband to let her operate her business from within the family’s grocery store. When her initial investment in the jewellery business was a success, Pooja gained confidence and slowly began to expand her operation. As she scaled up her business to include stationery and a greater variety of jewellery, Pooja also built local contacts and boosted her tailoring business. Today, Pooja earns around Rs.15,000 per month from her various business endeavours. She is contributing to household expenses and also practising savings.
In 2023, Pooja was linked to the South Solapur Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSECT) centre. Recognising her tailoring skills, she began to be engaged as a trainer on a regular basis. Today, Pooja has trained over 40 women, many of whom have successfully started their own tailoring business in their villages.
Since her association with SSP began, Pooja has begun to engage with the village community and improved her communications and entrepreneurship skills. She has also been nominated as the Secretary of her local SHG. Due to her work as a local resource person, she has also gained greater recognition in the village as a leader.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
May 02, 2024