Female entrepreneurs of NCR, shining and succeeding

Societal pressure, looking after the family, lack of resources, there are several factors restricting women from achieving their dreams. However, even these factors would fail to stop the women who decide to fight all odds and move ahead. These women entrepreneurs from Delhi NCR are leading example of it.

S. Lalitha (27) hails from Wazirabad, Delhi and is a young dynamic female entrepreneur who runs a 'Shell Craft' business. She says, “I have grown up watching my father working in this shell business and it was my dream to continue his legacy but in a modified form.”

She is born and brought up in Delhi but her ancestral roots lie in South India. She says, “My father has been in this business for 30 years. However, I now give my touch to those shells. I paint them and paste them on the different kinds of crafts and gifts such as wind chimes, clocks and handmade products.  etc.”

Lalitha makes handcrafted decors, gifts, goodies, and ships them worldwide. She runs this business through an online platform. She also informed us that there are many kinds of shells like Cowry Shells, Black Shell, Printed Conch, White Seep Shell, Blowing Shankh (original conch shell), Dakshinavarti Shankh, which is considered auspicious in the worship of God, are just to name a few.

Lalitha says that her father is her inspiration. While talking more about him, she says, "I look at him with great pride that he has made me very strong. Whenever I used to ask him about how will I be independent, he always said that I'll find my way myself. Throughout the years I was growing up, I have been watching my father run this business. I always wondered what can I do to add this business and I decided to add my creativity to it."

Shedding light on her journey, Lalitha says, "After completing my graduation, I purchased some stock from my father. I promised him that I will pay for this as I get the profit and thank God I fulfilled my promise".

She further tells, "In bulk orders, per day 30-40 pieces sell. Without my staff, it wouldn't be possible. Most of my staff is women and I prefer that as those women also get an opportunity to work”.

For budding female entrepreneurs she says, “Make yourself independent and trust your dreams, they never lie. Use your resources and don't shy away from taking help, give your goals everything you have and be happy”.

Anju Mehra, resident of Golf Avenue 2, Sector 75. She is a home baker and runs a business around it. While talking about her journey, she says, “It was the year 2020, my daughter's birthday was approaching. I decided to bake a cake for her. Everyone loved that cake and that is when it struck me that I can build a business with this.”

Anju is an expert in baking simple cakes, full fondant cake, semi fondant cake in different flavours such as mango, pineapple, chocolate and more. She also makes chocolate truffle, customised doughnuts, cupcakes and tea time cakes.

Initially, when Anju used to prepare her cake in a kadhai but later she got an oven. On this, she says, “I was sure that I will not invest in this business until I am sure if I really want to pursue it. When I saw that it might actually work, I started saving money, and finally purchased my oven. The business has made me self-sufficient financially.”

Anju specializes in eggless cakes and says that her daughter is her lucky charm. She says, "The best part of this work is that I can literally work from home while taking care of my daughter. However, doing everything on your own, from baking to cleaning, it does get overwhelming."

On the support by her family, she says “My husband is my biggest support system. Seeing my interest in baking, it was he who encouraged me to take professional classes”

Anju feels happy and proud to be an entrepreneur. When the order dispatches and she gets good feedback, it gives her joy. For budding female entrepreneurs, she says "Don't settle for less. If you feel that your dream is to do something, try every possible way to reach your goal."