Breaking Barriers: The SHE-evolution of Indian Entrepreneurship

Toss aside the glass ceiling! Indian women are blazing trails in the business world, ushering in a new era of SHE-evolution! With their drive, creativity, and independence, they’re not just dreaming big; they’re turning those dreams into reality by launching game-changing startups in every corner of the industry. This guide is your go-to manual for diving into entrepreneurship. Packed with practical tools, inspiring stories, and expert advice, it’s your ticket to making your business dreams a reality. Say goodbye to sitting on the sidelines – it’s time to step up and lead the pack, and this guide on how to start a business as a woman in India

Low-Investment Business Ideas for Women

Entrepreneurship is something that is highly accessible; this is the beauty of it. In spite of the opinion that launching one’s business doesn’t need a considerable quantity of capital, it’s not completely true.

Here are some unique business ideas for ladies with low investment that perfectly cater to the strengths and skills women often possess:

1. Online Tutoring

If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can offer online tutoring services to students. This business requires minimal investment, and you can work from the comfort of your home.

• Investment: Rs. 20,000 – Rs. 50,000 (for laptop, internet)
• Market Demand: High, as online tutoring is becoming popular.

2. Virtual Assistant:

A virtual assistant is someone who helps with office tasks like scheduling appointments, writing emails, data entry and more – but works remotely from home over the internet.

With just a laptop and internet connection, you can offer virtual assistant services to companies or even individual clients.

• Investment: Rs 25,000 – Rs 50,000 (for laptop and internet)
• Market Demand: Very high demand.

3. Handmade Crafts:

If you are skilled at making handmade jewellery, accessories, home decorations, or other crafts, you can start a business selling them. Handmade and unique crafts are quite popular these days.

Your initial investment will be the cost of craft materials like beads, paper, paints, fabrics, etc., depending on the kind of crafts you make. You can then sell the handmade products you create on online platforms or at local exhibitions and markets.

• Investment: Rs 10,000 – Rs 30,000 (for craft materials)
• Market Demand: Moderate to high demand

4. Baking Business:

If you have a talent for baking tasty cakes, cookies, breads, and other baked items, you can start a baking business from home. There is a huge demand for homemade baked goods these days.

To get started, you need to set up a basic kitchen, get an oven, and buy baking utensils and ingredients. Once set up, you can take orders from your neighborhood or promote them online. You can sell directly to customers or tie up with cafes and restaurants. With some marketing, homemade baked goods are in very high demand.

• Investment: Rs 50,000 – Rs 1,00,000 (for oven, utensils etc.)
• Market Demand: Very high demand.

5. Event Planning:

If you are highly organized and creative, you can launch an event-planning business. As an event planner, you help organize weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more.

Your main investment would be in getting a laptop and spending some money on marketing your services, like printing flyers/pamphlets.

• Investment: Rs 20,000 – Rs 50,000 (for laptop, marketing)
• Market Demand: Very high demand.

6. Make-up Artist:

If you are skilled at bridal makeup, party makeup, and other makeup styles, you can become a professional makeup artist and provide services at home.

The main investment involved is purchasing high-quality makeup products, brushes, lighting and other tools.

• Investment: Rs 30,000 – Rs 80,000 (for makeup products)
• Market Demand: Very high demand.

7. Home Based Catering:

If cooking is your passion, you can start a home-based catering business to supply food for private parties, corporate events, get-togethers, and other events. Catering is in high demand nowadays.

To begin with, you’ll need to set up a reasonably big kitchen by investing in appliances, utensils, crockery, etc. Once your kitchen is ready, you can start taking catering orders and supply tasty home-cooked meals and snacks. Effective marketing is required to grow this business successfully.

• Investment: Rs 1,00,000 – Rs 3,00,000 (for kitchen equipment)
• Market Demand: Very high demand.

8. Pet Grooming:

If you love pets like dogs and cats, you can start a pet grooming service. As a pet groomer, you bathe pets, brush their fur, cut nails, and groom them properly.

For this business, you’ll need to invest in basics like grooming tables, brushes, shampoos and other equipment.

• Investment: Rs 75,000 – Rs 2,00,000 (for grooming equipment)
• Market Demand: Very high demand

Key Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs

The path of entrepreneurship is rarely a smooth stroll, and women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common problems faced by women entrepreneurs and how to overcome those hurdles to be able to work on simple business for ladies in India:

• Societal Expectations: Traditional gender roles can sometimes make it difficult for women to be taken seriously in the business world. Build a strong support network of mentors, investors, and fellow female entrepreneurs who guide and encourage you and understand your struggles.
• Funding Hurdles: Securing funding can be a significant obstacle for women entrepreneurs. Explore government initiatives and schemes specifically designed to support women-led businesses. Research angel investor networks or venture capitalists who focus on funding businesses led by women. Additionally, crowdfunding platforms can be a great way to raise capital directly from potential customers who believe in your vision.
• Access to Capital: It is relatively more difficult for women in a patriarchal society to raise funds. This could be due to various reasons, like a lack of contacts, but mostly it is because people do not trust women when it comes to finances.
• Work-life Balance: Society places unrealistic expectations on women. They are supposed to excel in everything, be it in their professional or personal lives, and be perfect at all times.

Inspirational Success Stories

India has a growing number of phenomenal women entrepreneurs who have shattered glass ceilings and become role models for future generations. Let’s delve into the inspiring journeys of two such women, who arguably hold the topmost positions in the top 10 women entrepreneurs in India, which would make you gain a gold of the characteristics of women entrepreneurs :

Falguni Nayar: The Beauty Queen of E-commerce

Falguni Nayar, after a successful investment banking career, identified a gap in the Indian beauty market: the need for a curated online platform for authentic beauty products. At 50, she launched Nykaa in 2012 with ₹20 Lakh of her savings. Initially, it was challenging to get established brands to partner with her new online retailer. However, Nayar built trust with brands and created a user-friendly platform for Indian women. Nykaa offered a diverse range of beauty products and a seamless online shopping experience, quickly becoming a leader in Indian beauty e-commerce. Today, Nykaa is a multi-billion-dollar company.

Richa Singh: Building a Community for Women, by Women

Richa Singh’s entrepreneurial journey is woven from a deep desire to empower women. Recognizing the lack of a safe space for Indian women to connect, share experiences, and access resources, Singh founded SHEROES in 2012.

Singh’s vision for SHEROES extended beyond online interactions. She established SHEROES cafes in major Indian cities, creating physical spaces where women could network, attend workshops, and participate in discussions. Richa Singh’s story highlights the importance of addressing a social need through innovative means. Her success demonstrates that businesses can be powerful agents for social good, fostering connections and empowering communities.

Essential Skills and Traits for Success

The world of entrepreneurship demands a unique blend of functions of women entrepreneur skills and personal traits. Here are some key areas where you can focus your development to start a business as a woman in India, as per what women entrepreneurs quote:

• Leadership Acumen: Great leaders inspire, motivate, and guide their teams toward a shared vision. Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills to foster a positive and productive work environment. Remember, a strong team is the backbone of any successful business.
• Financial Literacy Fundamentals: The ability to understand financial statements, manage cash flow, and make sound investment decisions is crucial for business success. Invest in financial literacy courses or mentorship programs to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge.
• Networking Prowess: Building a network of mentors, investors, and potential partners can be invaluable. Attend industry conferences, join online forums specific to your sector, and connect with local business organizations. Don’t be afraid to leverage the power of social media to connect with like-minded individuals and potential customers.

Empower Your Future

The journey of an entrepreneur is a lifelong adventure. It’s filled with challenges, triumphs, and continuous learning. As a woman entrepreneur, you bring a unique perspective and talent. Embrace challenges, celebrate victories, and use this guide. It’s a springboard on how to start a business as a woman. With dedication, a supportive network, and a clear vision, and taking inspiration from women entrepreneurs quotes, you can turn your dream into reality. You can be a source of inspiration for future generations of women to lead and make changes in the business world.

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