“I never thought I could start my own business”

Shraddhaben Shaileshbhai Katariya lives in Ambada, a village in Girgadhada taluka of Gir Somnath. Her family farms; her father grows cotton under the Better Cotton programme. She lives with her mother, grandmother and two sisters, and is studying for a B.A. from home.

Farm income in Ambada is uncertain and seasonal, and there was little else. For a young woman wanting to earn, the problem was not willingness — it was that no route existed.

How it started

The opening came at one of her father’s Better Cotton training sessions, where the field team announced support for people wanting to start a business. He brought the news home. Shraddhaben contacted Dishaben, an SSKK field worker, and a need assessment was filled in with the producer unit manager.

What followed was not a single course:

• Three months of practical beauty parlour training under Payalben, an experienced trainer — skincare, hairstyling, makeup, bridal makeup, customer care, hygiene and equipment handling
• One month of Mehndi design — bridal, traditional and modern
• A day of nail art training at the Amreli office
• An exposure visit to IBI Ahmedabad, and help writing a business plan

Then, through CottonConnect, the equipment to actually begin: hair straightener, hair dryer, wax heater, nail art kit, makeup kit and a clay steam machine.

Why it worked

She did not have to find capital first, and she did not have to leave the village. Running the parlour from home cut travel costs and let her fit the work around her studies. Offering parlour services, Mehndi and nail art from one place meant three income streams instead of one.

She had no business experience and, by her own account, no confidence that customers would come or that the income would hold. Dishaben kept following up through and after the training.

What changed

During wedding seasons and festivals, Shraddhaben now earns ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 a month. Her say in household decisions grew with her earnings. Other young women in Ambada have started asking about parlour work and Mehndi training.

The training, continuous guidance and encouragement from the organisation gave me confidence. Initially, I never thought I could start my own business, but after the training I was able to begin beauty parlour, Mehndi and nail art services from home. Today I have become self-reliant while staying in my village, earning a regular income and supporting my family financially. I wish other women would also move forward like me.

Written up by Dishaben Dholiya and Pravinbhai Jalandhara, SSKK field team.