How Nazmaben started her own business at 18

That Tuesday was pretty pleasant. The journey had been a bit hectic. But that didn’t dampen my level of excitement. The government bus was taking a bit longer than usual to reach the destination. I was in Surendranagar, one of the largest hubs of cotton production in the country. This little town is growing at a rapid pace. But this wasn’t my destination. I was supposed to head towards the twin city of Surendranagar district: Wadhwan, which took almost half an hour more.
 
I was here to meet the group leader, 23-year-old Nazmaben Pagharshi, and to check on the progress of Sarkar Mahila Mandal, after they had been provided with a loan of Rs. 36,000 by the Milaap community of lenders in order to expand their respective micro businesses.
 
Climbing my way up the narrow staircase, I was led into the quaint room. There was a pile of readymade-garments in one corner. And right beside it was an old sewing machine. Nazmaben started her sewing business almost five years back, at the age of 18. With the required guidance and help from her mother, she got involved in the business of selling clothes 3 years back. Her main purpose to do so was to stand on her own feet and do something by herself.
 
With her loan from Milaap, she was able to buy a lot of stock including festive clothes as well as the ones that are very much in demand in the neighborhood. She runs this business from her house. And she travels to places nearby such as Rajkot and Bhavnagar in order to buy her stock. On festive clothes, she earns a profit of approximately Rs. 200 on every piece. She is able to sell one dress material every day, whereas during the festive season the number increases up to 4-5 dress materials in a day.
 
Nazmaben could bring her dream to fruition because of lenders like you. She is a strong and independent woman now.

Nazmaben shows her stock of garments