As 2024 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on stories that inspire hope and resilience. Among these are the remarkable journeys of India’s homepreneurs — individuals who transformed adversity into opportunity, building businesses from the comfort of their homes. These women are not just entrepreneurs; they are trailblazers, blending tradition with innovation and leaving an indelible mark on their communities.
Here, we honour 10 inspiring homepreneurs whose businesses have redefined possibilities and sparked change, both in their lives and in the lives of those around them.
1. Manjusha Javier
At 52, Manjusha Javier turned a setback into an opportunity, rekindling her love for stitching with a 100-year-old sewing machine. After losing her job in 2016, she faced the challenge of supporting her daughter and running a household alone. Encouraged by her daughter, she launched ‘Tohfa’, a brand that crafts unique journals, pouches, and home embellishments. What began with a Rs 2,000 investment has blossomed into a thriving business that empowers artisans and preserves traditional skills.
For Manjusha, every stitch tells a story of resilience and creativity. “Be open to changes. They will bring out the best in you,” shares Rukhsana, who now earns lakhs by doing what she loves.
Read the story here.
2. Sudha
Sudha, a teacher-turned-entrepreneur from Coimbatore, founded Iniya Organics in 2018 to bring organic masalas, podis, and health mixes to Indian households. What started as a small-scale venture with limited production has now grown into a business receiving orders from across the country.
The startup has not only reached new heights but also brought back the essence of traditional cooking to modern kitchens. “I started this from our rented house with just Rs 2,000. You need to believe in yourself,” says Sudha, who clocks Rs 60,000 per month.
Read the story here.
3. Lakshmi Muralidhara
After losing her mother, Vinaya P G, in 2021, Lakshmi Muralidhara took on the courageous task of continuing her legacy. Transforming her mother’s snack business into ‘Lakshmi’s by GSB’, the 31-year-old audit manager balanced her professional career while preserving her mother’s cherished recipes. Based in Kerala, the brand offers a variety of snacks, pickles, and syrups, made using traditional methods and natural ingredients.
Under Lakshmi’s leadership, the business expanded beyond local sales to reach customers across India, clocking an annual revenue of Rs 12 lakh in 2023. Catering to over 500 customers monthly, the startup keeps her memory alive in every bite.
Read the story here.
4. Beena Tom
Beena Tom, a 56-year-old homemaker in Kerala, started a homemade food venture offering homemade jams, pickles, squash, juices, chips, and honey. Her thriving garden supplies the ingredients for her creations, ensuring top-notch quality and freshness.
She also conducts workshops to inspire others to embrace organic and sustainable practices. With her products flying off the shelves, Beena’s offerings have gained recognition for their authentic flavours and health benefits, attracting a loyal customer base.
Read the story here.
5. Krishna Yadav
Krishna Yadav’s Shri Krishna Pickles is a testament to the transformative power of determination. Born in Daulatpur, Uttar Pradesh, she faced severe financial struggles after her husband lost his job. With just Rs 500 in hand, she moved to Delhi with her family, starting afresh as a sharecropper.
A training programme on value-added agriculture sparked her entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to launch Shri Krishna Pickles. Beginning with roadside sales, Krishna grew her venture into a thriving business offering over 250 products, including pickles, chutneys, and syrups. Today, her five-storey factory generates an annual turnover of Rs 5 crore, proving the transformative power of perseverance.
“Today, I have both gaadi, bangla, (a car and a bungalow), and more importantly, the dignity to walk with pride,” she quips.
Read the story here.
6. S Haripriya
S Haripriya from Coimbatore founded Extrokids, an online toy store that promotes brain development and minimises screen time for children. Her range of puzzles, activity kits, and interactive toys has become a favourite among parents and educators. Haripriya’s mission is to provide smarter play solutions while emphasising innovative parenting.
“Keep moving forward, whether faced with losses or profits. Be consistent for 90 days, and you will be rewarded,” she shares. Today, the store boasts over five lakh followers on Instagram and receives 15,000 orders per month, setting a new benchmark in the toy industry and addressing modern parenting challenges.
Read the story here.
7. Nupur and Sharvari Poharkar
Nupur and Sharvari, sisters from Uttarakhand, have revolutionised eco-friendly crafts with ‘PIRUL Handicrafts’, transforming pine needles into beautiful artefacts like mats, baskets, and decor items. Their initiative not only combats forest fires but also provides employment to 100 locals, particularly women while diverting 20,000 kg of pine waste into valuable products.
The duo’s work is a blend of creativity and sustainability, proving that traditional materials can power innovative, modern solutions. They have sold around 12,000 products to customers in Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and beyond. Their creations have also gained international acclaim for their uniqueness and eco-friendliness.
Read the story here.
8. Reshma Suresh
When Reshma Suresh moved to Mumbai for work, she longed for the comfort of home-cooked meals. Inspired by her mother Uma’s prawn pickles and banana chips, she launched ‘Tocco’ in 2023, a platform connecting home chefs with people craving authentic, regional flavours. “Do not limit yourself to the walls of the kitchen. Be confident and build something that keeps you engaged,” says Uma, one of Tocco’s first chefs.
Starting with just Rs 5,000, Tocco has grown into a thriving business, achieving an annual turnover of Rs 1 crore. It empowers home chefs in their 50s to turn their culinary skills into income while processing over 1,000 monthly orders.
Read the story here.
9. Rashmi Sawant
Rashmi Sawant, the founder of ‘Culture Aangan’, has transformed rural tourism into a tool for women’s empowerment and cultural revival. In Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, she mobilised fisherwomen to run eco-tourism initiatives, including mangrove boating tours and homestays, generating income for their families.
Her efforts extend to reviving traditional arts, training women to create crafts and sell traditional foods. With similar projects in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Andhra Pradesh, Rashmi bridges the gap between rural livelihoods and experiential tourism, empowering women across India. “Every woman empowered is a family empowered,” she shares.
Read the story here.
10. Mannat and Eknoor Mehmi
Teen sisters Mannat and Eknoor Mehmi from Bahadurgarh, Punjab, turned a personal health necessity into a thriving venture, ‘India Goat Milk Farm’. Inspired by the benefits of goat milk during Mannat’s jaundice recovery, the family began with a single goat. Today, their farm boasts over 60 high-yield Saanen goats and produces milk, ghee, and paneer, attracting customers with competitive pricing.
Their commitment to sustainability includes organic feed cultivation and efficient waste management. The sisters also run training programmes, empowering aspiring farmers, especially young women. With plans to integrate technology, they aim to streamline operations and expand their impact further.
Read the story here.
Edited by Khushi Arora.
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