In the buzzing Patna stationery market, tucked near Khazanchi Road, there’s a humble stationery shop business called ‘File Store’. Run by 43-year-old Mehrun Nisa, this small shop is anything but ordinary.
A mother of three, wife to a government employee, and a self-made entrepreneur, at first glance, Mehrun Nisa seems like any other soft-spoken, warm-hearted woman you’d meet in a local market in Patna. But behind her humble smile is a journey of grit, support, and quiet ambition. Today, she runs a successful stationery shop business, earning nearly ₹2.5 lakhs+ a month while managing her home and raising three children.
But this change didn’t happen overnight.
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A Different Kind of Love Story
Mehrun got married young, right after finishing her 10th class. Like many women in India, her life could have taken the usual route: home, kids, and little room to dream. But her husband had other plans for her.
“He was the one who pushed me to continue studying,” she says with a smile. “I didn’t think I could, but he believed I should.”
Encouraged by him, Mehrun completed her 12th, then went on to do her BA, even while managing her growing family. She laughs, recalling how she once wanted to pursue Library Science but put that aside when her kids were born.
The Start of Her Stationery Shop Business Journey
Twelve years ago, her eldest son started a small stationery shop business on Khazanchi Road in Patna. The shop was tiny, tucked beside a paediatrician’s clinic, but it had potential. When her son left the city for work, Mehrun’s husband encouraged her to take over.
“I was hesitant,” she admits. “But he told me, ‘You can do this’.”
And so, she did.
How She Grew Her Stationery Shop Business in Patna
In 2022, Mehrun took a business loan of ₹2.5 lakhs to get a dealership of Classmate and Navneet notebooks, a decision that changed the course of her journey.
Until then, she primarily sold general stationery and locally available notebooks, with a monthly income hovering around ₹30,000–40,000.
“Customers would often ask for branded notebooks, but I had to turn them away because I wasn’t an official distributor,“ Mehrun recalls.
Once she secured the dealership, her inventory immediately got an upgrade. “With Navneet and Classmate, I could finally meet the demand of students from nearby schools,“ she says. This brought repeat customers and helped her gain credibility as a trusted shop in the area.
Over the months, footfall increased, and so did the average transaction size. Parents preferred her shop for school essentials, and she began to get bulk orders during the back-to-school season. Her monthly earnings jumped to ₹2–2.5 lakhs, a number that still surprises her.
In her words:
“My UPI transactions last month crossed ₹2.5 lakhs. This doesn’t even include cash sales.”
She now stocks NCERT books, office files, pens, art supplies, and other classroom essentials. With a growing customer base and deeper insight into what sells, Mehrun’s next goal is to stock competitive exam preparation books, targeting older students in the neighbourhood.
“Chinese products give me triple the profit,” she shares, pointing to a shelf filled with vibrant pencil boxes, quirky erasers, and cartoon-themed pouches. “I source them from Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar. Kids love the funky designs.”
Mehrun even strategically chose the shop’s location: right next to a paediatrician’s clinic.
“Children come to the doctor, and then they visit ‘Mehru Auntie’s’ shop for their favourite items.“
A simple, smart way to ensure steady footfall, an example of everyday marketing genius from a stationery shop business owner in Patna.
Tips from a Successful Women Entrepreneur in Bihar
Mehrun now manages her business from 10 am to 5 pm after finishing all her morning chores. She employs one helper and handles the rest herself. During her free time, she finds time to do embroidery, stitch clothes, and enjoy old Hindi songs.
Her advice to other women?
“Don’t overthink. Keep your shop well-stocked. Talk nicely to customers. And believe that you can run your own business.”
Why Mehrun’s Story Matters
In a world where most headlines feature flashy startups and unicorns, women like Mehrun Nisa represent quiet but powerful change. Her journey proves that it’s never too late to build something of your own, even if you start with hesitation and little knowledge.
For every woman wondering how to start a stationery shop business or how to run a successful stationery shop in India, Mehrun’s story shows that practical support, consistency, and the courage to try can go a long way.
Final Thoughts
Mehrun isn’t on social media. She doesn’t talk big numbers. But her life is a blueprint for many women thinking, “Can I really start my own stationery shop?”
“You just have to begin. Everything else falls into place,” shares Mehrun.
Mehrun’s story proves that support, daily effort, and local business sense can build a thriving small business in India. So, if you’re wondering how to start a stationery shop or how to run a successful stationery shop in India, start by learning from Mehrun Nisa.
She didn’t just open a shop; she opened a new chapter in her life.
Read more success stories:
How Jeya’s Tailoring Business Turned Actress Cutouts Into Real Profits
How Tehseen Built Three Businesses with Small Business Loans for Women Entrepreneurs
How This Varanasi Woman, Shilpi, Built a Banarasi Saree Reselling Business from Her Living Room
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