In her late 30s, Anushree Sharma Biswas embarked on her entrepreneurial journey to support herself and her son. Today, after eight years, she has built a thriving community that includes her regular customers and an extended family of friends and supporters.
Meet Anushree, a spirited entrepreneur from Nadia, West Bengal, who has turned her love for sarees into a flourishing business. Anushree’s passion extends beyond selling sarees; she delights in draping them, engaging in endless conversations with her customers, and lending a hand to anyone in need. Anushree’s love for talking to people has been a cornerstone of her success in the saree business. Her ability to connect with others has helped her establish a loyal customer base and set her foot firmly in the industry.
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Despite her determination, Anushree faced numerous financial setbacks that threatened to hinder her progress. It was during these challenging times that she discovered Mahila Money. The support and loans provided by Mahila Money were instrumental in helping her overcome these obstacles and grow her business.
In her words, “Mahila Money was a lifeline,” Anushree recalls. “They believed in me when I needed it the most and gave me the financial boost to keep going.”
A day in the life of Anushree and how it all started
Anushree’s day starts at 5 am when she juggles household chores and breakfast preparation while enjoying a hot cup of chai with her son. Amidst these tasks, she finds time for her morning prayers, setting a serene tone for the day. By the time she bid her son goodbye, she had already prepped for lunch, attended to customer queries, updated her WhatsApp status with her latest collection, and sent DMs to potential buyers.
Despite her busy schedule, Anushree is always ready to help the women in her community, offering advice on personal and business matters. “I believe in sharing what I know,” she says. “Whether it’s about business or life, I’m here to help.”
Her role as a mentor is significant, as she generously shares her skills, such as stitching blouses and salwar kameez, with anyone interested, free of charge. “I love teaching others,” Anushree shares. “Seeing someone learn a new skill and gain confidence is fulfilling.”
Anushree’s love for sarees, especially traditional ones like Taant, handloom, Baluchari, and Dhakai Zamdani, inspired her to start this journey. Her collection ranges from Rs. 550 to Rs. 5,000, catering to various tastes and budgets. “Sarees are not just clothing; they are a piece of our heritage,” she explains. “I wanted to share this love with others and make traditional sarees accessible to everyone.”
At 3 p.m., Anushree transforms into a businesswoman. Dressed in her finest saree, she packs her stock and sells door-to-door. Her customers love the convenience of shopping at home, but her warm personality and engaging conversations over tea and jhalmuri keep them coming back. Anushree’s ability to connect with people has made her a beloved figure in her community, and she sells an average of 3-4 sarees daily.
Her ability to balance her business and personal life while constantly uplifting those around her showcases the heart of her entrepreneurial spirit. “My customers are like family,” Anushree says. “Their happiness is my success.”
The Hurdles
Anushree’s journey wasn’t always smooth. Financial constraints often threatened to hinder her progress. Eight years ago, she started with just a small bag full of sarees but a specially curated collection. Her stock quickly sold out, leading to an increase in demand. However, the lack of capital made it difficult for her to buy more stock. “I had the demand but not the resources,” Anushree explains. “It was disheartening to see opportunities slip away.”
Enter Mahila Money
During this challenging time, Anushree discovered Mahila Money and applied for a loan of Rs. 10,000. “The approval was almost instant after I submitted my documents,” Anushree recalls. This initial loan boosted her business, and her stock quickly sold out again. Encouraged by this success, she applied for a top-up loan of Rs. 30,000 to stock up for Durga Puja. “This time, I earned a good profit of around 30 per cent,” she shares.
The Impact
With the success of her saree business, Anushree expanded her offerings and applied for her third loan to add salwar kameez to her collection. “Cotton suits are a craze here in Kolkata during summers, and I wanted to expand my offering. The third loan of Rs. 12,000 helped me a lot,” says Anushree. After taking the Mahila Money business loans, she increased her income from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000-40,000 monthly. “Mahila Money helped me a lot,” Anushree recalls. “I was in a lot of debt. The support from Mahila Money and the entire team helped me rise from my lowest, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
Looking Ahead: #JiyoApneDumPe
Anushree’s journey with Mahila Money has transformed her business and reinforced her commitment to helping others. She plans to expand her collection further, incorporating more traditional and contemporary designs to meet her customers’ diverse tastes. “I dream of taking my curated collection of local handloom sarees to the global market,” Anushree says with a hopeful smile.
Her future plans are not just about business growth; they also include continuing to support and mentor the women in her community. “I want to help more women achieve financial independence,” she adds. “Whether through sharing my skills or offering advice, I’m here to support them in any way I can.”
Anushree embodies the spirit of #JiyoApneDumPe, living life on her terms and uplifting those around her. Her story showcases the power of resilience, community, and the impact of financial support in transforming lives. As she continues to weave her dreams with threads of determination and kindness, Anushree stands as an inspiring example of what one can achieve with the right support and a heart full of hope.
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If you are a woman entrepreneur who wants to take your business to new heights and is in need of working capital and entrepreneurship resources, come speak to us on Mahila Money. For more such #JiyoApneDumPe live conversations, download the Mahila Money App on Play Store or visit us on www.mahila.money
