At 33, Rekha, once an assistant professor and dietician, is now a successful entrepreneur. Her personal health breakthrough paved the way for InstaEats, a business aimed at helping people manage their lifestyle diseases with a personalized superfood blend. However, without adequate capital, her entrepreneurial dream would have remained just that. With the help of a Mahila Money loan, Rekha was able to turn her personal vulnerability into a flourishing entrepreneurial pursuit, resulting in an annual turnover of over eight lakhs.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
When COVID-19 struck, Rekha’s husband’s fitness business had to shut down. She helped him curate diet plans for his clients. “It was a challenging time for the family, especially since I was diagnosed with PCOS.” Despite the setbacks, Rekha, a post-graduate in food and science technology, was determined to find a way to stay strong.
From Personal Success to Business Success
“My success in reversing my own PCOS and helping my sister-in-law manage her thyroid levels with a personalized superfood blend was a transformative moment. It inspired me to share my knowledge and expertise with others facing similar health challenges. That’s how the idea of InstaEats was born. I was aiming to simplify healthy eating, making it affordable and accessible for all. However, I knew that the missing piece of the puzzle was ‘CAPITAL’. And I started looking for options to arrange funds”, shared Rekha with conviction.
Bridging the Financial Gap
Despite her knowledge and determination, accessing credit and mobilizing the capital needed to grow her business was a significant hurdle for Rekha. However, she found a ray of hope in Mahila Money. Rekha says, “I’m glad to have found Mahila Money that supports women entrepreneurs in launching their business. Addressing financial needs with business finance education and community support is a cherry on top.”
InstaEats Launches in 7 Months After Receiving Loan
Recalling how she found support in Mahila Money, Rekha shares, “The idea of InstaEats was just brewing when I came across the platform. It was as if the universe had planned things for me.” Wasting no time, Rekha applied for a Mahila Money loan of 2 lakhs in Feb 2022, and she invested the funds immediately in manufacturing the products. InstaEats was officially launched in September 2022.
From Startup to Success:
Since then, Rekha’s entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Sharing her success, Rekha exclaimed, “By the end of February 2023, InstaEats had an annual turnover of above eight lakhs! Mahila Money’s support has been a game-changer for me.” Once InstaEats was up and running, Rekha’s next challenge was marketing her products to a wider audience. While she had already received positive feedback from friends and family and had some success with word-of-mouth marketing, she knew that expanding her reach would require additional funding.
Going Above and Beyond
Fortunately, Rekha’s timely repayment of her ongoing loan led to an exciting opportunity. “Mahila Money offered a top-up loan since I had consistently paid my EMIs. I was overjoyed and accepted a loan of 90K for marketing,” recalls Rekha. She goes on to express her gratitude for the support she’s received, “They have been my savior and have helped me every step of the way. I can’t thank the team enough.”
Scaling New Heights
With the additional funding, Rekha is confident in achieving even greater success. “I’m aiming for an annual turnover of 2.5 crores, and I have my fingers crossed,” she says optimistically. As her business grows, she remains driven to expand her knowledge and skills. She has enrolled in entrepreneurial programs and financial literacy courses to equip herself with advanced business skills.
Boosting Women’s Confidence For Business Success
Rekha applauds Mahila Money’s trailblazing support for women entrepreneurs, including those in rural areas. “For promotion and valuing women’s business ideas, I now actively recommend the platform to entrepreneurs like me, including my mother who runs a preschool in a rural village.I believe that when women are supported and given confidence to #JiyoApneDumPe, they can achieve anything.”
Rekha’s business journey is testament to the power of determination and support. Her story exemplifies how the right capital solutions and guidance can turn a budding entrepreneur’s dreams into reality. If you are a woman entrepreneur who wants to take their business to new heights and are in need of financial assistance and resources, come speak to us on Mahila Money. Download the Mahila Money App on Playstore or visit us on www.mahila.money
If you are a #JiyoApneDumPe woman entrepreneur who wants to take your business to new heights and needs working capital and entrepreneurship resources, speak to us on Mahila Money. Apply for a loan of up to 25 lakhs to fuel your business growth by downloading the Mahila Money App or visiting our website http://www.mahila.money.
