10 Inspiring Success Stories of 2024 That Will Ignite Your Dreams!
As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight stories that ignite hope and showcase resilience. Meet the incredible homepreneurs of India — extraordinary women who have transformed life’s hurdles into golden opportunities, all from the cozy corners of their homes. These remarkable individuals are not just business owners; they are pioneers, where tradition meets innovation, creating ripples of change in their communities.
Join us as we celebrate 10 awe-inspiring homepreneurs whose innovative ventures have not only reshaped their own destinies but have also breathed new life into the lives of those around them.
1. Manjusha Javier
At 52, Manjusha Javier took a setback and spun it into a golden opportunity, reigniting her passion for sewing with a century-old machine. After losing her job in 2016, she faced the daunting task of supporting her daughter and managing a household solo. Driven by her daughter’s encouragement, she founded ‘Tohfa’, a brand that creates stunning journals, pouches, and home decor. What started as a modest investment of Rs 2,000 has blossomed into a thriving business that empowers artisans and safeguards traditional craftsmanship.
For Manjusha, every stitch is a testament to resilience and creativity. “Embrace change; it will unlock your best self,” she advises, inspiring many with her journey.
2. Sudha
Turning principles into action, Sudha, a former teacher from Coimbatore, launched Iniya Organics in 2018 to introduce organic masalas, podis, and health mixes into Indian kitchens. What began as a small endeavor with limited resources has skyrocketed, garnering orders from every corner of the country.
This venture has rekindled the essence of traditional cooking in modern households. “I kicked this off from our rented home with just Rs 2,000. Believe in yourself!” proclaims Sudha, now raking in Rs 60,000 monthly.
3. Lakshmi Muralidhara
Following the loss of her mother, Lakshmi Muralidhara courageously embraced the challenge of continuing her mother’s food legacy. At just 31, she transformed her mother’s snack business into ‘Lakshmi’s by GSB’, expertly balancing her professional duties while honoring cherished family recipes. Based in Kerala, her brand offers an array of snacks, pickles, and syrups, all crafted using traditional methods with natural ingredients.
Under her leadership, the business has expanded beyond local sales, generating an impressive annual revenue of Rs 12 lakh in 2023 and serving over 500 customers each month, ensuring her mother’s legacy lives on in every bite.
4. Beena Tom
Meet Beena Tom, a 56-year-old homemaker in Kerala, who turned her love for cooking into a thriving homemade food venture, producing jams, pickles, squashes, juices, and even chips. Her flourishing garden supplies the freshest ingredients, guaranteeing top-notch quality in every jar.
Beena also conducts workshops that inspire others to embrace organic and sustainable practices. Her products have become a household favorite, celebrated for their authentic flavors and health benefits, cultivating a loyal customer base.
5. Krishna Yadav
Krishna Yadav’s journey with Shri Krishna Pickles is a shining example of determination and grit. Hailing from Daulatpur, Uttar Pradesh, she battled financial struggles after her husband lost his job. Armed with just Rs 500, she relocated to Delhi and began anew as a sharecropper.
A transformative training program ignited her entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in the birth of Shri Krishna Pickles. From humble roadside beginnings, Krishna’s venture has blossomed into a booming business offering more than 250 products, including pickles, chutneys, and syrups, with an astounding annual turnover of Rs 5 crore.
“Today, I have both gaadi, bangla, (a car and a bungalow), and most importantly, the dignity to walk with pride,” she declares.
6. S Haripriya
From Coimbatore, S Haripriya founded Extrokids, an online toy store dedicated to fostering brain development while minimizing screen time for children. Her thoughtfully curated range of puzzles, activity kits, and interactive toys has become a go-to among parents and educators alike.
“Keep pushing forward, regardless of wins or losses. Stay consistent for 90 days, and you will see results,” she shares. Today, the store boasts over five lakh followers on Instagram and processes around 15,000 orders each month, setting new benchmarks in the toy industry while tackling modern parenting challenges.
7. Nupur and Sharvari Poharkar
Sisters Nupur and Sharvari from Uttarakhand have redefined eco-friendly crafts with their venture, ‘PIRUL Handicrafts’. They transform pine needles into exquisite artifacts such as mats, baskets, and decor items. This initiative not only combats forest fires but also creates job opportunities for 100 locals, especially women, while diverting 20,000 kg of pine waste into beautiful products.
Their fusion of creativity and sustainability proves that traditional materials can fuel modern innovation. With around 12,000 products sold across cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad, their eco-friendly creations have gained international acclaim.
8. Reshma Suresh
When Reshma Suresh moved to Mumbai, she craved the comfort of home-cooked meals. Drawing inspiration from her mother Uma’s delectable prawn pickles and banana chips, she launched ‘Tocco’ in 2023, a platform connecting home chefs with those yearning for authentic regional flavors. “Don’t confine yourself to the kitchen. Be bold and create something that keeps you engaged,” says Uma, one of Tocco’s first chefs.
Starting with a mere Rs 5,000, Tocco has rapidly grown into a powerhouse, achieving an annual turnover of Rs 1 crore while empowering home chefs—especially those in their 50s—to monetize their culinary talents, processing over 1,000 orders monthly.
9. Rashmi Sawant
Rashmi Sawant, the visionary behind ‘Culture Aangan’, has harnessed rural tourism as a powerful tool for women’s empowerment and cultural revival. In Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, she mobilized fisherwomen to spearhead eco-tourism initiatives, including mangrove boating tours and homestays, generating vital income for their families.
Her initiatives extend to reviving traditional arts, where she trains women to craft and sell traditional foods. With similar projects blossoming in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Andhra Pradesh, Rashmi is bridging the gap between rural livelihoods and experiential tourism, uplifting women across India. “Every empowered woman empowers a family,” she passionately states.
10. Mannat and Eknoor Mehmi
Teen sisters Mannat and Eknoor Mehmi from Bahadurgarh, Punjab, transformed a personal health challenge into a booming enterprise, ‘India Goat Milk Farm’. After experiencing the health benefits of goat milk during Mannat’s recovery from jaundice, the family began with just one goat. Today, their farm thrives with over 60 high-yield Saanen goats, producing milk, ghee, and paneer at competitive prices.
With a strong commitment to sustainability, they cultivate organic feed and practice efficient waste management. The sisters also host training programs to empower aspiring farmers, especially young women. Looking ahead, they plan to incorporate technology to streamline their operations and broaden their impact.
Edited by Khushi Arora.
