There is a 100-year-old sewing machine in the corner of Manjusha Javier’s Mumbai home. If only the machine could talk; it would have a compelling tale. All through her growing up years, the duo were inseparable — “I would spend all of my free time stitching,” she shares. But then came a lull when it lay untouched for almost a decade. These years saw Manjusha marry, move to Delhi, become a mother, and move back to Mumbai where she would single-handedly raise her baby girl whilst working at a boutique in the city.
Today, years later, the lost friendship has been rekindled. The machine is once again spinning a success story.
So, what made this possible?
“I lost my job in 2016,” Manjusha shares. She was 52 at the time, close to retirement, many would argue. “But I couldn’t just not work anymore. I had to finance my daughter’s education and run the home,” she reasons. The alternative, scouting for another job, seemed a tricky bet — “Will I be able to get a new job at 52? If the job is far from home, will I be able to manage travel? Will I be able to learn and grasp things as easily as a younger person?” she wondered.
What Manjusha never accounted for was a third option; one that compelled her to face her fears and follow her heart.
It was a conversation with her daughter Najooka Javier (31), a marketing professional, that led her to the idea, which today translates into ‘Tohfa’ — their brand that is weaving a distinct narrative with its unique home embellishments and fabric designs. It started out with an investment of Rs 2,000. And today, it clocks lakhs in revenue.
Saying ‘yes’ to entrepreneurship in one’s 50s
Whenever posed with a dilemma, Najooka takes the road less travelled. When asked where she gets her bravado, she looks towards her mother. “She started a business in her 50s. I’ve started believing that if you take a chance, anything is possible.” In fact, not just her daughter, Manjusha’s stoicism is an inspiration for any woman who stands at the precipice of transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
Here’s what she learnt along the way:
The answer does not lie in a compromise
Soon after losing her job at the boutique, Manjusha secured an opportunity at a small law firm. “I had a one-and-a-half-hour commute either way, to and fro, but I thought, at least I am earning.”
As time went on, it became evident to Manjusha that she wasn’t cut out for criminal law. “Reading up on those cases the entire day only added to the anxiety and worry that I was already experiencing during that period.” Explaining why she persisted, she says, “Najooka had just graduated at the time. I wanted her to have everything that young girls need and look forward to; so I kept the job.”
But watching her mother’s anxiety peak with every passing day made Najooka have the talk with her.
‘Everyone has a passion; what’s yours?’
“Think about a hobby that you’ve loved,” Najooka advised her mother one day. The answer, the duo discovered, had been standing in the far corner of the hall room the entire time. “Stitching makes me happy,” Manjusha replied. And this was the moment ‘Tohfa’ was born.
The sewing machine, after a long hiatus, sprang back to life — stitching journals, travel organisers, purses, makeup pouches, laptop sleeves, cushion covers, and fabric trays into beautiful creations. With each design, Manjusha aligned her vision with her aesthetic.
But while encouraging other women to follow their drive, she acknowledges it is often not possible. “I’d always wanted to do something of my own. But because of financial constraints, I couldn’t.” Stitching connected her with those forgotten dreams.
It will take a village; accept the help
Najooka pipes in here, underscoring the logistical nightmares that often follow an entrepreneurial dream. It was tough, she admits, navigating unfamiliar ground when it came to outreach, collaborations, and helping her mother build a brand. But, the significance was sentimental, she shares.
“Since the start, we have financially supported each other. We have survived on my mother’s savings and talent. I don’t remember ever buying clothes as a kid. My mom would stitch them for me at home, creating beautiful combinations from her saris and dresses,” she adds.
Streamline your experience with newer trends
At the fashion boutique where Manjusha worked prior to its closing down, she gained rich experience in pure fabrics and retail. She loves being in the constant know-how of things, a quality she credits to having a millennial daughter.
“I think it’s great to be connected with the younger generation to stay updated. For instance, I never knew about sustainability and its importance these days. But my daughter made me aware, and today, we don’t use plastic in our business at all,” she shares.
Stick around for your moment of catharsis
Starting one’s entrepreneurial journey translates to saying goodbye to a steady paycheck. Manjusha was aware. “But the way I saw it is that any kind of work will have its challenges. But when it’s linked to your passion, it makes it easier.” And she goes on to add, “Be open to changes. They will bring out the best in you.”
In moments of doubt, remember the ‘why’
Of course, there will be nerves. “My first thought was ‘yeh nahi chala toh kya hoga (If this doesn’t work out, what will I do?)’. I kept thinking about how in two years I would be older. Would I be able to then find a corporate job if my business did not work out? Every time sales would dip, I would ask my daughter, ‘Do you think I should give up this idea and look for a job?’.”
But then came a successful exhibition that put all her fears to rest. “I still remember that exhibition in Chennai in 2019. That was the day I knew this was my path,” says Manjusha.
And while growing this dream, she has seen to it that it empowers artisans. “We source fabrics directly from them, ensuring their traditional skills are honoured and sustained,” she shares, adding that Tohfa works with a team of eight women who are engaged in stitching the products.
And to every woman who shies away from her entrepreneurial dream, Manjusha says, “There will always be fear and doubt. Just don’t let these hold you back.”
Edited by Pranita Bhat; Pictures source: Najooka Javier
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