Ms. Samjhana Varma from Dhanusha who was staying idly at home started her parlor with the limited knowledge i.e. just level one training. She shared that starting with basic knowledge was one of the major challenges for her to compete with the other parlors nearby. Also meeting the ever-changing customer demand initially was very difficult for her.

The COVID-19 nationwide lockdown in 2020 also came as a big blow for her business. But she was lucky enough to have good network with the neighbors and friends who believed in her skills from the initial phase. Business picked up quick following the loosening of the lock down.

“I then participated in various trainings which helped me to understand on how to properly operate the business. I also got an opportunity to provide training to other women entrepreneurs. This boosted my confidence to perform well in this field.”

Being a Madhesi woman also challenged her from stepping out of the house and working. People mentally tortured her for challenging the society’s norms and often demotivated her. Nonetheless, being educated she turned a deaf ear to all the negativity and continued with her struggle to sustain her business.

She also did not have the moral support from family. But whenever she stepped out of her house, she was determined to reach out to as many other women entrepreneurs and to support them. Her family members were totally against her when she started but with time their mindset changed for the better. Now, she has earned her place and respect in her family and society.

She was approached by WEAN Dhanusha for the virtual sessions organized by FWEAN following the assessment of her enterprise through ENCOMPASS tool. At the beginning her expectation from the virtual session was very negative. She thought it was just a way for the organizers to fulfil the participation requirements. She felt it would be just a waste of time and very ineffective. The COVID-19 pandemic also had added to her mental stress. So, she was not at all positive about attending the virtual sessions.

“When I first attended the session on first day, I found the topic to be quite interesting and helpful for the entrepreneurs. So, then I regularly attended the sessions. From the sessions I learned about business planning, marketing, dealing with the customer and also about the financial part which seems quite helpful for my business.”

The data pack provided during the session was also a motivational factor for the woman entrepreneurs to easily join the sessions without any interruption.

In future she has requested FWEAN to collect data of number of woman entrepreneurs in Dhanusha which would help to build a better network in the district. According to Varma other trainings which helps to develop the skills of the woman like sanitary pad making and all the information regarding the products like the cost of the raw materials, the market and proper labeling packaging training would be necessary. So that it will help the women to come out of their houses and do their business systematically and properly.

“Giving birth to any organization is not a big deal but to continue and operate it well is a big deal for any organization. We have started depending on FWEAN because now we have received a networking platform and hope to continue it in future as well. I also wish ILO to bring a long-term program which will help women entrepreneurs to overcome their challenges and become a capable entrepreneur in the long run.”