Tehseen Sheikh, an entrepreneur from a small town, changed her life with the help of Mahila Money loans. From reselling to poultry farming and finally launching her dream home décor business, Tassels Dreamz Creations, Tehseen’s journey is a story of courage, hope, and growth.
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“I was married off at 17. Growing up, I always believed my dreams didn’t matter much. But somewhere deep down, I knew I wanted to create something of my own.” – Tehseen Sheikh
Tehseen Sheikh, 37, from a small town on the Andhra-Karnataka border named Hindupur, didn’t have a degree, but she had grit. For years, she poured her life into her family. Kids and countless daily chores later, she still felt that tug in her heart—the desire to build something meaningful.
It wasn’t until 2018, when her children were a little older, that she finally took her first steps.
“I didn’t have the qualifications. And, yes, there were many family restrictions. But something in me just refused to settle,” she shared.
Starting Small: The Reselling Business and her first Business Loan
Her journey began in 2020 with a small reselling business during COVID-19. She took her first Mahila Money loan of ₹25,000 and bought a laptop. That laptop helped her build the business, manage orders, and connect with customers. When she eventually pivoted to other ventures, she gifted the laptop to her son, who is now using it to pursue a BTech degree.
“Mere baad, yeh laptop ab mere bete ka future bright kar raha hai,” she said with a proud smile.
Expansion into Poultry Farming: An Industry Built on Perseverance
After the reselling business, Tehseen ventured into poultry farming. With her second Mahila Money loan of ₹1.5 lakh, she expanded the farm, installing additional sheds and lights and even building protective walls. Before the loan, they managed to supply around 4,000 chicks, but after the expansion, they could handle over 8,000, and her profits rose from ₹60,000 to ₹90,000. Now, she runs the farm along with her husband. “Yeh loan nahi hota toh main yeh badlav nahi dekh pati. Aaj humne jo kuch banaya hai, woh sirf ek farm nahi, balki mere parivaar ke ache dinon ki shuruaat hai,” shared Tehseen with a smile.
The Dream Takes Shape: Building “Tassels Dreamz Creations”
And yet, it wasn’t her final destination. Deep down, Tehseen always had a passion for home décor. The idea of making homes beautiful and warm with DIY was something she loved dearly. In 2022, she took the plunge and started Tassels Dreamz Creations, where she designed boho-inspired sofa covers and curtains. But just as things were beginning to take off, she faced a setback—medical expenses in the family drained her savings, and she struggled to keep up with orders. “I had big ideas, but sometimes life has bigger challenges,” she reflects.
With the festive season approaching, she felt desperate. That’s when she reached out to Mahila Money once more. She took a third loan of ₹50,000 to keep her business running smoothly. And almost instantly, things transformed. Orders poured in, and from just 2-3 orders, she suddenly had over 50. “I even had to cancel a few because I couldn’t fulfil them all in time!” she shared with a heavy heart. Her profits surged, and she also launched her website last month.
Today, Tehseen manages her poultry farming venture alongside her husband and Tassels Dreamz Creations with renewed purpose and pride. “If I could start with nothing and build all of this, I feel like anything is possible,” she said, her eyes sparkling with hope.
Learning, Growing, and Giving Back
The journey, however, hasn’t been about more than just financial gains. Tehseen also learned to handle the social media side of her business. She now manages her Instagram page, collaborating with influencers to promote her boho-inspired creations. “Pehle sirf kapde banane aate the, ab samajh aaya hai kaise logo tak apna kaam pahunchaya jaye,” she shares, feeling a mix of pride and awe at how much she’s learned.
Not only has her success provided financial stability, but she has also uplifted her family. Through her success, Tehseen has created a ripple effect for her family. Her mother and sister-in-law now have a source of income, as they help her with stitching and adding tassels to her products. Tehseen is unstoppable—she’s not just building a business; she’s building a legacy. “”It feels like we’re all in this together, building our brand,” she says.
With every venture, Tehseen’s journey has been about more than just income—it’s been about proving that dreams can thrive, even when circumstances seem to hold them back. From her first loan of ₹25,000 to purchase a laptop to her latest loan for her growing décor business, each step has brought her closer to the life she envisioned.
As she looks ahead, Tehseen feels a renewed sense of confidence. “If I could start with nothing and build all of this, I feel like anything is possible,” she shares, her eyes sparkling with the hope and determination that have carried her this far.
If Tehseen can do it, you can too. Come talk to us at Mahila Money. Let’s build your dream together.
Read more success stories:
How This Mom Turned Her Gift Item Business into a Corporate Gifting Success Story
How This Varanasi Woman, Shilpi, Built a Banarasi Saree Reselling Business from Her Living Room
How a Loan Helped Anushree Drape Her Dreams in Profits – Boosting Her Income from ₹25K to ₹40K!
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
