In a small home in New Delhi, Shabnam starts her mornings early.
Before the city fully wakes up, she is already at work measuring fabric, coordinating orders, packing finished pieces, and planning her day. For most people, this is just a house. For Shabnam, it is her factory, her office, and her dream.
About Shabnam
At 44, Shabnam is the owner of Shifa Cosmetics, a home-run cosmetics business for local women, and also runs a garment and tailoring business with her husband that serves her local community. She never went to college. She studied only up to middle school. But what she has carried with her for over two decades is something far more powerful: a deep belief that
“If you truly want something, you can make it happen.”
She got married young and began working alongside her husband soon after. While raising four children, she learned the garment trade from the ground up: stitching, sourcing, pricing, managing customers, and paying workers. Slowly, from one machine to many orders, her home turned into a small production unit.
Business Growth
Today, Shabnam, along with her husband, employs 2–3 women from her neighborhood. Together, they produce garments that are sold to local buyers and small shops. The business brings in around ₹40,000 a month, with nearly ₹20,000 left as profit, which is a strong, steady income for a home-based unit with almost no fixed expenses.
The cosmetics business brought in Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 in income for 4 consecutive years, which initially started with just Rs 20,000 in capital.
But more than the numbers, what drives Shabnam is purpose.
She wants her children to study without limits. She wants her daughter to move freely and confidently. She wants to stand on her own feet, not just emotionally, but financially.
Dreams come true with Electric Scooter
Shabnam recently bought an electric scooter, something that would help her run her business better, travel for supplies, deliver orders, and take her daughter to college.
“I and my daughter will use this electric scooter for business and education,” she said.
“It will help me be independent and support her future.”
From a home in New Delhi, with a few machines, a few women, and a lot of determination, Shifa Cosmetics and the garment business continue to grow.
Because for Shabnam, the rule is simple:
“ If you want it badly enough, you make it happen.”
If you’d like your journey to be featured in our Meet The Mahilas series, write to us at hello@mahila.money.
We’d love to hear your story and share it with women across India.
