A Transformative Journey: From Dependency to Self-reliance

New innings

Their trajectory began under a CSR initiative, focused on providing skill training for candle-making to local women. Enthusiastic women were identified and trained in the art of candle making. After the training completion, the women were registered as SHG under the Government of India’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Frequent engagements with NRLM provided valuable business insights, resulting in formal acknowledgment of the production unit by the officials. It was a pivotal moment in their journey, marking their new innings by bringing opportunities for economic independence, micro-finance opportunities, and access to new market channels. Very soon, the women were successful in fulfilling their first orders for internal events within the corporate ecosystem, such as Diwali and Christmas celebrations. During this period, the average income for women was nearly ₹1,000 per month per woman. This modest beginning set the stage for further growth.

Expanding growth horizons

Soon, the women’s happiness and joy were enhanced with the demand for their candles scaling from diverse sources, including NRLM department stalls, government officials, and individual bulk orders. They witnessed a notable increase in earnings, from an average of ₹1000/month/woman to ₹2,500/month/woman. Not only did this boost their income, but it also helped strengthen the group’s financial stability. The combination of skill-building, role specialization, and self-belief women made their collective into a thriving business venture. The increase in external orders also boosted the group's resources and improved cash flow management, as the women started using their savings to cover operational costs.

The story communicates a strong message – “When women become a part of a collective and are empowered, they set a powerful example of creating a lasting change to drive economic empowerment in rural areas.” This story conveys a narrative of rural women stepping out of their homes to pursue entrepreneurship and realize self-sustainability in the enterprise they work.