chapter 9 case studies of women entrepreneurs of vasai...
TRANSCRIPT
285
Chapter 9
Case Studies of Women Entrepreneurs of Vasai Taluka
9.1 Introduction:
Micro enterprises in unorganised sector have become boom to women. It has
provided women an opportunity to utilise their knowledge, skill and time for
productive purpose. These businesses allow irregular working hours which are
suitable for women to carry on their family responsibility as well. With increasing
cost of livelihood due to various reasons such as inflation, modernisation,
globalisation, demonstration effect and so on the need to explore different sources of
income is very high. This pressure to contribute to family income is felt by the entire
family. Many women entrepreneurs in the unorganised sector have done wonders by
grabbing the local opportunity and utilising available resources. They have proved
themselves to be more confident and good managers in running small business along
with their household duties. In many cases women entrepreneurs were successful.
However there were some women who inspite of their dedication and sincere efforts
were not able to achieve good returns for their business and were struggling for
survival. The present chapter discusses some selected case studies of women
entrepreneurs who were successful and some of those who were still struggling.
Through these case studies a fairly lively picture of the respondents regarding their
working and family life, problems and prospects, their expectations from family,
society and government emerges.
286
9.2 Background of selected women entrepreneurs:
The selection of successful entrepreneurs was based on their personal income,
number of years in business and their significant contribution in overcoming their
family problems. While selecting struggling entrepreneurs the criteria was low level
of income and moderately stable number of years in business.
Table 9.1
Details of selected women entrepreneurs
Sr. no. Nature of business Family income
p.m. (in Rs.)
Self income
p.m. (in Rs.)
% of self to
family income
Successful entrepreneurs
1 Imitation jewellery 1,12,000 35,000 31.25
2 Saree & garment seller 30,000 25,000 83.33
3 Tailoring 35,000 20,000 57.14
4 Beauty parlour 60,000 15,000 25.00
5 Vegetable seller 8,000 8,000 100.00
Struggling entrepreneurs
6 Vegetable seller 1,000 1,000 100.00
7 Fish seller 1,000 1,000 100.00
8 Catering 6,000 1,000 17.00
9 Basket weaving 500 500 100.00
10 Saree fall-biding 2,800 300 11.00
287
Table 9.1 gives the information of selected women entrepreneurs regarding
their business, family and personal income and the extent of their contribution to the
family. It was seen that the women entrepreneurs were engaged in various business
activities such as imitation jewellery business, vegetable selling, saree & garment
selling, tailoring, running beauty parlour, basket weaving, fish selling, catering and
saree fall biding. The respondents‟ business involved home based, outdoor, vending
and also mixed locations i.e. home based cum outdoor activities. It was observed that
family income of respondents varied from Rs.500 to Rs.1,12,000 p.m. and their self
income varied from Rs.300 to Rs.35,000 p.m. Their contribution of self income to
family was between 11% and 100%.
9.3 Case Studies:
9.3.1. Stories of successful women entrepreneurs:
Respondent 1:
The respondent 1 was an imitation jewellery producer and seller. Her business
was home based cum outdoor business. She was a graduate and was in business for
last 12 years. She belonged to joint family of eight members in the family. There
were three earning members and five dependent. She had continued her father‟s
business. Her contribution in family income was 31.25%. The respondent‟s father
was running an imitation jewellery business. He had two daughters and no son. Her
family was financially sound and had a good status in society. The respondent was
younger daughter of the family and had an interest in her father‟s business. Since
childhood she had been helping her father in keeping record of material and other
288
things of business. After completing her graduation respondent joined her father‟s
business. The business set up was ready. She did not invest any capital in the
business. She had five workers working in the factory. Her father used to supply the
jewellery to shops. But the respondent thought that this jewellery can also be sold in
her local village. The respondent took initiative in the business and started selling the
jewellery in local village. Initially she used to go to targeted areas to sell her
products. These areas were banks offices, schools and colleges in the local areas
where she used to search her customers. She also operated from at her house and
went to customer‟s house on request. This was how she introduced her products in
the local village. Her business was well known in the area and she had many
customers. She supplied her products to old customers as well i.e. shops regularly.
She also received some orders from foreign countries and she had exported her
products abroad. She desired to expand her business in the international market. She
had opened a small shop at home. She also participated in various trade fairs and
exhibitions and sold her products. After her marriage her husband and her mother-in-
law supported her to continue the business. Her sister-in-law was also helping her in
the business.
While running the business she had faced problem of recovery from the
customers in initial period. But she learnt her lesson from the past experience and
took care while giving credit facility to the customers. The business contains many
small items like rings, ear rings, chains, bangles etc. which can be easily carried away
by customers while making choice. To avoid this type of robbery she had installed
CCTV camera in her shop. She herself maintains the business accounts but faced
289
problem of availability of time to maintain it regularly. In absence of her father
respondent was continuing her family business. Few years ago her elder sister lost
her husband in an accident. Due to that trauma she went in depression and lost her
job. The respondent took over responsibility of her sister‟s family. She provides
financial support to her sister and mother as well.
“Doing business is challenge to a woman”, said the respondent. Without
family support it was very difficult to proceed further. Since her mother-in-law who
in her young age was business woman too and was running a typing institute was
well aware of the challenges that the respondent faced while doing her business. She
fully supported her and took care of her children and household work. The
respondent‟s husband who was graduate and run his own business was supporting her
in all ways and so she was able to do her work successfully. However she alone
takes her business decisions but sometimes she discussed her business problems with
her husband before taking decisions. She also plays an important role in family
decisions. Because respondent was a business woman she received more respect in
the family compared to other female members. Thus she enjoys good status in her
family. She had contributed big amount of money in building their family house.
Women in the society look upon her as an ideal for them. She had respectable status
in the society as well. She was unaware of government schemes, but believes that
government and society can play an important role in the development of
entrepreneurs. She expected that government should provide proper infrastructure
and society should create suitable environment for encouraging more women
entrepreneurs in the area.
290
Respondent 2:
Respondent 2 was a saree and garment seller. She conducted business from
home as well as she had a shop outdoor. She belonged to middle class Marwadi
family. There were four members in her family including the respondent. She was in
business for last 20 years and contributed 83.33% of family income. She was
educated upto 4th
standard whereas her husband was educated upto 2nd
standard.
After marriage respondent came to village of Vasai Taluka with her husband. Her
husband had grocery shop in Bolinj village. His earning was very low and he was
able to live just hand to mouth because he was unable to recover dues from his
customers. After birth of her son and daughter respondent faced critical financial
problem. Her husband‟s income was not sufficient to meet their household needs.
They also had to pay rent for both house and shop. Her household responsibilities and
expenses both were increasing. Respondent thought of doing some work that would
enable her to earn some income for the family. When she went to her brother‟s place
for vacation she discussed her family problem with her brother and also expressed
her desire to work. Her brother gave her an idea to start selling the sarees. In the
beginning she started her business from home. She along with her brother went to
Surat wholesale market to meet the trader. She bought sarees at wholesale rate on her
brother‟s creditability and started her business without any initial capital. Initially
she had to face problems such as quoting price, bargaining, recovery etc. as she was
new in the business. But she was fortunate to get the sizeable number of customers.
Her husband did not support her in the business. As time passed on she got
291
experience of the business and knowledge regarding preferences of customers. This
is how she slowly overcame most of her business problems.
She had to face many challenges in the business because she had neither
helping hand nor any support from her family or husband. Once her son was ill and
was hospitalized. During that time she was unable to pay attention to her business
and had to bear loss. But respondent did not give up because she knew that without
her business it would be very difficult for her family to survive. She once again
started giving more time and attention to the business. It was time of great struggle
because her husband was not at all supportive and her children were small. She used
to wake up early in the morning and do her household work so that she could give
maximum time to her business. Her business started growing and thereby her
earnings also increased. She herself started going to Surat market to select and
purchase sarees and load them for transport. Now along with sarees she was selling
dress materials and garments. Due to her skill, talent and determination her business
has made good progress.
Her children were grown up. Her elder son after completing graduation in
commerce was doing MBA whereas daughter was studying in the last year of B.com.
Both her children along with her husband were helping the respondent in business.
She has opened a small saree show-room near the station area on rental basis and has
expanded into selling dress material as well. She desires to purchase her own shop.
She motivated her friends to start business and helped them in settling their business.
She also gives work to many women such as saree fall-biding, stitching blouse, dress
etc. of the customers who purchase material from her. The traders were sending her a
292
truck load of material on credit directly to her business location. She had created
goodwill among her suppliers and her customers. Her children respect her for giving
them good life. Her husband has also realized her importance. He had given his
business on lease basis and was helping her in business. She was the decision maker
of the business as well as in her house. She played the role of the head of the family
and children took her permission for all their work. Her plan was to open big
showroom so that her son may not face any problem in future to continue her
business. She was not aware of any government facilities but now she is interested in
getting information about it. The respondent stated that business has not only given
her money but good status in family as well as in the society. Women from
community come to her for guidance.
Respondent 3:
Respondent 3 was a tailor by profession. She had four members in her family.
She was in business for 17 years and contributed 57.14% in her family income. The
respondent as well as her husband was educated upto 10th
standard. Her husband was
working in Dubai and earned good income. Two years after her marriage her
husband lost his job and returned home. Despite lots of efforts he was not able to get
a suitable job. Family was increasing and there was no source of income in the
family. The respondent had done tailoring course before her marriage out of interest.
She did not have any work experience but considering the family‟s financial
necessity she decided to start tailoring business. She discussed this idea with her
husband and he supported her. He gave her capital for the business with which she
293
purchased a sewing machine and hired a shop on rental basis near village bus stop.
Initially she started stitching blouse for women and doing some alteration work.
During rainy season she used to stitch raincoats too. Since her stitching was not
professional she did not get enough response. So she acquired advance tailoring
course. Her husband who was unemployed took care of child and household work.
The respondent gave maximum time for her business. For the delivery of her child
she had to take break from business. Her entrepreneurial mind did not allow her to
take rest. The respondent, during the break was thinking about her business. She was
searching the reason for failure of the business inspite of doing the advance course.
She realised that the location was a problem since there was not sufficient demand for
stitched clothes. So she decided to change the location. She gave up her existing
shop and hired another rental shop in the village market. Once again she started her
work with new enthusiasm. This time she received good response from the customers
and got more work. The business started flourishing and she found it difficult to
manage it. She employed one assistant in the shop to help her. Now the business
was making good profit. Along with stitching blouses for women she also got work
of stitching dresses, night gowns, school uniforms etc. The respondent decided to
expand her business. She started purchasing dress material and cloth for sale. Now
the customers instead of bringing material from other shop started purchasing
material from her and got it stitched from her. This gave her extra benefit in the
business. She further increased the range of products and started stitching night
gowns, baby frocks for ready sale. She started getting very good response.
294
After some time period the respondent decided to further expand her
business. She earned a good profit out of which she had a good amount of savings in
the bank. Along with savings she took bank loan and purchased same shop which
she had rented earlier and developed it into a factory-cum-showroom. Her shop now
extends to ground plus first floor show room and there were three workers in her
factory. She said her husband‟s support and help was the main reason for her
success. Over the years her husband too got a good job. Her children were taking
education in English medium convent school and her family was well- settled. In her
shop she was selling ready-made garments which she stitches in her work-shop and
also purchases some ready-made garments from the wholesale market. She also sells
imitation jewellery and other accessories required by women in the shop which has
enabled her to expand the business. Her husband respects her for the contribution
that she had rendered to the family. Her relatives and friends salute her for courage
she had shown while taking business decisions even during slack period of business.
Even though husband supported her all business decisions were taken by the
respondent herself and he positively encouraged her. Today husband and wife both
are the earning members of the family and so they are financially well off and are
enjoying happy life with their children. Talking about struggle or hurdles in the
business the respondent replied that because of her husband‟s support she was able to
overcome all the problems and challenges of the business. It was not that there were
no problems but the situations were handled properly in time. She was satisfied with
what she had achieved and just wished that her business should prosper in future.
About social attitude, she says that people or the society was not supportive in her
295
bad time. Now since I am successful, they talk positively about me but during
struggle period they tried to discourage me and laughed at me. According to the
respondent, self-belief and self-confidence were most important tools of success and
women should develop them. Respondent was not aware of government schemes, but
wished that government should provide regular supply of electricity in villages so
that village business can develop.
Respondent 4:
The respondent 4 was running beauty parlour outside her house. She had four
members in her family. There were two earning members and two dependents.
Beside this she had responsibility of her mother and elder sister. Respondent and her
husband both were educated till SSC. Both of them were had their own business.
The respondent was in this business for last 17 years. She contributed 25% of family
income. Her father and sister supported her to take up this business. The
respondent‟s father was a farmer, mother was a house wife and she had one sister.
His earning was of subsistence level. The elder sister was working in a diamond
factory and her income was good support to their family. But unfortunately her sister
fell ill and her illness was not diagnosed at the village hospital. She was taken to a
city hospital for treatment. Her sickness prolonged and her father had to spend all his
savings on her treatment. The respondent‟s father took loan for treatment from bank.
Her sister had to leave her service as she was physically not fit to work. Her family
was undergoing crucial financial as well as mental stress. The respondent after her
SSC had to leave her education and start working immediately to earn and support
296
her family. The respondent‟s sister suggested her to do beauty parlour course. The
respondent‟s father sold a piece of land and made arrangement of money for her
course and business. She started her business in a small rental shop near station area.
She got good customers in initial period of her business as the number of beauty
parlours in the area were less. Because of respondent‟s good nature and sincerity she
was able to retain her customers. The respondent in order to develop her business in
the initial period was approaching her friends and relatives and requesting them to
visit her parlour. She did mouth publicity of her business and she got good response.
Her income became big support to the family because her father too due to stress was
undergoing health problems due to stress and was unable to work. The respondent‟s
earning was increasing and so she decided to shift to a big shop. She took bank loan
and hired a big shop on rental basis. Meanwhile her father fell sick and had a by-pass
surgery. It was another big problem in her family. But now the respondent because
of her business was in a position to manage the things. Without taking any financial
help from relatives she arranged for his treatment in a big hospital and took his care
of him. Unfortunately after some time her father passed away.
The respondent in her business did not face any serious problems but she had to
face many family problems which she confronted boldly. Now the respondent was
married and had two sons. The respondent‟s business had increased over period of
time. She has appointed a full-time assistant to help her in the business. She also
conducts training of beautician course. In order to update her business knowledge she
regularly attends various seminars and workshop and introduces new techniques
accordingly. This has brought goodwill to her business. Over the period of time she
297
had purchased a shop. She had equipped it with air conditioner, inverter to face
problem of electricity and had introduced all latest equipments required for her
business. She had purchased a scooter for herself. Respondent with the help of her
husband had built their own new house without taking any loan which she feels was a
big achievement in her life.
After her father‟s death she has accepted responsibility of her sister and mother.
All her friends and relatives appreciate her work and the way she had managed to
handle responsibility of her father and family. Her husband had always supported her
in this responsibility. Because her sister and mother took care of her children and
household chores she was able to devote more time to her business. She enjoys good
status in the family and had a special identity in society. Many young girls from her
village admiring her had entered into business. The respondent says that because of
her business she was able to face all her family problems. She feels proud of this.
She was satisfied and happy because she had performed her duty by giving a good
treatment to her father. She enjoys full freedom upon her income and takes
independent decision on it. The respondent in future wishes to develop her business
not to earning more money but to achieve something great. About society‟s attitude
the respondent feels that social attitude towards women entrepreneur were changing.
Many parents were ready to support their daughters to start a business. She was
unaware of the government schemes and facilities. She suggests that this information
about business fund, training and other types of support should be given at school
level so that many girls can get knowledge and avail of the benefits. Further
298
government should provide proper facilities such as regular electricity, good
transportation facilities which will help women entrepreneurs to move ahead.
Respondent 5:
Respondent 5 was a vegetable seller. She had outdoor business. She belonged
to poor family background. She was in business for 25 years and was sole earner of
the family. She was a widow who lost her husband 35 years ago when her youngest
daughter was just eight months old. The respondent‟s husband was a factory worker
and died in an accident while crossing a railway track. Since he was not a permanent
worker she did not receive any benefit from his factory, not even pension. So after
his death there was no source of income for her family. With her three small
daughters the respondent had to face lots of social as well as financial problems. Her
brother used to help her but his income itself was limited and had his own family
responsibilities. Understanding his situation the respondent thought of doing some
work to support her family. The major problem she faced initially was that she was
not able to go out of her house because she was not allowed due to the custom and
she also had to take care of her daughters. So she started a business of preparing
illicit liquor and selling it at home for some year which was source of her income.
But some social activists protested against this work and she had to close down that
business. Because of this her income stopped and her daughters‟ education and
livelihood started affecting adversely. The respondent discussed the matter with her
brother. He suggested that she should start some other business. The respondent had
no fund at her disposal to start the business and her brother was not in a position to
299
provide capital. So he suggested to start local business of vegetables selling. In this
business normally material or different vegetables were taken on credit basis from
local farmers and after selling it in the market money was paid back to them. This
business involved minimum risk. She thought of starting this business as she found it
suitable. She took different kinds of vegetables grown in the village from the
villagers and started selling them in the local market. In the beginning she used to
take less quantity of vegetables to the market so that she could come home early for
her daughters. As her elder daughter grew older she started shouldering the
household responsibilities. She took care of her younger siblings and also helped the
respondent in household work. So the respondent started giving more time to her
business. As this business gave her good income, she started taking more vegetables
and increased her business. She also purchased raw bananas and mangoes from
farmers, ripened them and sold in market. This enabled her to earn extra income.
Doing business was a great struggle for the respondent. She wakes up early in
the morning at 3.50 a.m. to fill the baskets of vegetables and starts from her house at
5.00 O‟clock for the market. She sits in the market selling vegetables upto 1.00 to
1.30 p.m. After returning home she cooks food and after her lunch she takes rest for
two hours. After that she goes to her suppliers and collects the material. After
bringing it home, she along with her elder daughter sorts it out and packs or bundles
it according to the needs of customers. This work continues till 11.30 p.m.
The respondent was able to give good education to her daughters. In order to
help her mother the elder daughter had to leave her school after 12th
standard but
other two daughters were well educated. They completed their B.A., B.Ed. They were
300
teaching in reputed schools. Now all her daughters are married and were well settled.
The elder daughter who was married in same village was helping her in the business.
Respondent while looking back to her life journey feels satisfied and content about
life. Though she belonged to a poor financial background, her hard work and
sincerity had achieved a lot. Now all her responsibilities towards her family were
over and she had no future plan. She wants to run the business till she is physically
fit. Her image in the society had improved because of her financial independence.
Though a widow, today many people in the society respect her. Her image and status
had changed due to her bold step to enter into the business. Many other women
especially widows entered in business following her example. The respondent was
not aware of any kind of government schemes available for widows or financially
weaker women. But now she does not expect any type of support from government.
9.3.2 Stories of struggling women entrepreneurs:
Respondent 6:
The respondent 6 was a basket weaver. She conducted home based cum outdoor
business. She belonged to poor family below poverty line (BPL). There were seven
members in the family three sons, husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Respondent was the sole earner of her family. She was educated upto 3rd
standard
and her husband was educated upto 5th
standard. The respondent was in the business
for last 15years. Her elder son was studying in 10th
standard, second son was
physically handicapped, and younger son was in 6th
standard. She was engaged in
basket weaving business in which her husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law
301
helped her. It was her traditional family business carried on from ancestors. After
marriage she entered into this business. She acquired the skill of basket weaving from
her mother-in-law. She purchased material from local farmers. She takes all
decisions related to her business such as purchasing of raw material, quantity of
production, sale etc. She goes to local weekly market for sale twice a week.
The family from ages were in the same business but the business did not
improve their livelihood. It was seen that the cost of production of basket compared
to its selling price was very high. Working hours were irregular and production was
very low. There was no planning about amount of production. Her husband helped
her in cutting bamboo into strips. The respondent after finishing household work
starts weaving basket. In a single day they are able to weave one or maximum two
baskets. Her mother-in-law and father-in-law also frequently helped her. Nearly all
four members of family were involved in production. This basket was sold for Rs. 40
to 50 per unit. Considering the cost of raw material, transportation cost, labour cost
that the family contributed hardly any surplus or profit was earned by her. Since all
members of family were working in the business there prevailed disguised
unemployment in this business. The respondent found difficult to maintain their
livelihood. The respondent was the member of SHG and had received loan of Rs.
10,000 under SGSY from the government. She had utilized this fund for
consumption purpose and now was facing difficulty in making repayment of loan
instalment.
Lack of knowledge of market, increasing competition and decreasing demand
for her product due to availability of substitute i.e. plastic bag was adversely affecting
302
her business. The respondent did not have any idea about other opportunity for her to
start a new business. She does not possess any other skill and had no fund to start a
new business. Moreover she had responsibility of handicapped son which was big
obstacle for her in business. The family was in utter poverty and inspite of her efforts
she was not able to improve her family‟s livelihood standard.
While talking about her status respondent enjoys good status in family but
society does not recognise them as they belong to poor family. She had realized that
due to low level of education her husband was not able to get any work. Thus she
was giving education to her two sons in zilla parishad school so that they get good
job. Respondent had heard about some government schemes but did not have
complete knowledge of it. She expects support from government for her
handicapped son. She had already received benefit under SGSY scheme but further
needs support in her business. She wanted to start some new business as her present
business was losing demand in market. From society she expects cooperation for her
business but was unable to specify the same.
Respondent 7:
The respondent 7 was a fisher woman. She was illiterate. She was in this
business for last 10 years. She belonged to poor family background. She had six
members in family i.e. four children and husband she was the sole earner of the
family. Her husband was sick and unemployed. The respondent‟s husband was
working on fishing boat as a worker. Few years ago her husband got paralytic stroke
and now he is bed ridden. The responsibility of the family came on the respondent.
303
She was uneducated and had no other alternative but to enter into the traditional
business for her livelihood. To start her business she had borrowed a small amount of
money from her friend. She purchased fish from fishermen at local port and sold it in
the market. The size of her business was very small as she lacks capital for the
business. Since her children were small and husband was bed-ridden she had many
house related responsibilities. She therefore decided to go market only in the
evening. She earns a good amount of income in her business but her profit was used
in her household expenses and for her husband‟s medicine. She was not able to save
any amount of money. Fishing business is seasonal and remains closed during rainy
season. So during off-season her family had to face many problems. Other fisher
women in off-season go to the wholesale market in Mumbai and purchase fish for
their business. But she cannot do this because she did not have that much money to
invest nor can she give more time to travel all the way to the city and then go to
market because there was no helping hand to take care of her children and husband.
So she preferred to maintain small size of business. Doing business was struggle for
her. She was over loaded by doing household work and business and got exhausted.
She sometimes experienced depression. She has to regular take her husband to a
doctor and serve him in bed. Life for her was great challenge. In the business too
she faced many problems due to lack of finance. Sometimes she faced problem of
storing the left-over fish. She either had to sell it at very low price or throw it away
as it got spoiled. Other women in this case dried the left over fish. But she does not
have lack of time for this work. Inspite of desire to increase business and earn more
304
income to provide better life to her family she was unable to give more time to the
business.
While talking about advantage of becoming entrepreneur, she said that because
of her business she did not spread her hands in front of others. Even though her
income was low she managed to feed her family. She did not receive any kind of
support in her business from either side of the family. She herself handles the entire
task. She takes all her household as well as business decisions. The respondent feels
that if she was able to give more time to the business she could earn more income.
Since she was illiterate, she did not keep any type of business account but she was
sure that she earned profit because she sold her fish for more money than what she
had purchased it for. Talking about her status in family and society respondent did
not experience any change. She was not aware of government schemes. She desired
to start some other household business if she was provided with fund and training by
the government.
Respondent 8:
The respondent 8 was in catering business. She was educated upto SSC. She
was in this business for last six years and conducted business from home and she had
an outdoor place as well. Her husband was educated upto HSC and was working in a
factory. She had three children who were studying. Her husband‟s salary was not
sufficient to meet increasing necessities of the family. Hence the respondent decided
to start a business at home and support her family income. Her husband and children
supported her idea of doing work from home to earn income. The respondent was
305
good in cooking so she decided to take up catering business. She discussed this idea
with her friend who helped her in finding customers for her business. She cooks food
for working men and women. She prepares dabbas for seven people every day.
Every day morning she cooks food and packs tiffins for her customers. Her daughter
helps her in cutting vegetables and husband helps her in delivering dabbas to
customers. She had to take care of quality of the food. This was to retain her
customers and stop them from shifting to other suppliers. Thus she had to supply
good food at reasonable price. Since prices of vegetables and household items are
touching sky her business was facing problem. Her profit margin had been affected.
Further she was not able to get more customers. She enjoys doing this business
because it was in the field of her interest. She would increase her business if she gets
more customers so that she can earn more income to give good education to her
children. But for last six years she was unsuccessful in getting more customers.
Now her children were grown up and going to college. She had more free time which
she wanted to utilize to earn income to meet increasing expenses of children‟s
education. She found this business comfortable but there was lack of demand. So
recently she had started selling vadapav in the village in addition to dabba making.
Her sons help her in this business. One of them alternatively stands at the stall to sell
it. But in this business she faced big problem in recovery of money from her
customers. Villagers buy vadapav on credit basis and do not pay money on time.
Further at the time of recovery they give various excuses. Because of this additional
business, her work load had increased but her income had not increased in the same
proportion. She found it difficult to manage her expenses. She was aware of the fact
306
that her business was not earning her enough income but for her family‟s necessity
she had to continue it. Though the entire family was helping her in the business she
was not able to increase her income. She cannot close down her business because she
feels that without it the survival of family will be difficult. She had to struggle for
livelihood and was unable to fulfill her children‟s dream of taking professional
education. She had to send her children to ordinary college and select traditional and
unprofessional courses. The respondent was very unhappy and finds herself helpless
in this situation. She was not aware of government schemes. But feels that if the
government starts a scheme that can provide her fund and good customers or help her
in marketing her desire may be fulfilled. The respondent has no other future plans
but wants to develop her business to earn more income. She felt that society was not
at all supportive in promoting a business-woman but rather try to discourage her by
saying that, doing business was not her job. Her status in the family was good but in
society she sees no change in her status.
Respondent 9
The respondent 9 was vegetable seller. She belonged to poor (BPL) family.
She was uneducated and was in this business for last nine years. Her husband was
illiterate, drunkard and unemployed. She was the sole earner of the family. She had
two children. They were taking education in local zilla parishad school. Formerly
she was a farm worker and used to work on daily wages basis. Her elder son was
sick and needed personal attention so she could not go for full time work. She was
aware of other women in village who were selling vegetables and earning more
307
income than daily wages. So she decided to start vegetable selling business. She had
neither capital to start business nor she was able to get material on credit basis. The
respondent approached her relative and expressed her idea about starting a business.
The relative who was in same business helped the respondent in starting business.
She provided her material and also taught her how to sell vegetables in the market.
Initially the respondent was not able to give more time to her business because of
children. She earned good income from this business. Later on she started
purchasing her own vegetables. She faced problem of pricing and bargain in business.
Many times she was not able to recover the basic price of the vegetables. During the
season when supply of vegetables was ample she was not able to sell it at good price.
The income that she earned was taken away by her husband hence she faced problem
to meet her family expenses. The respondent faced space problem in the market.
The women selling vegetables in the market were harassing her. They felt new seller
in market affected their sales adversely. Further she had to pay market charges so she
decided to sell her vegetables in the village. But in this business she had to travel a
lot. This work was exhausting and she gets tired with household work and business.
In addition to this her money is taken away by her husband. She had to rely on local
villager to purchase vegetables on credit basis. During off season other women in this
business went to the wholesale market and purchased vegetables. This brought
continuity in their business through-out the year. In rainy season it was difficult for
respondent to meet their livelihood because she had no savings.
She was illiterate and did not keep any business record. However she felt
that this business had good income. Due to family expenses and expenses of
308
medicines for her son and drinking habit of the husband there was no savings. Inspite
of doing hard work the respondent was not able to raise her standard of living but
could manage their livelihood. Her status in the family was secondary. Her husband
though unemployed drunkard dominated the family and also had control over her
income. Her social status was also low. She had no specific future plan but desired
to continue the business for their livelihood. She was unaware of government
schemes. She does not expect anything either from government or society.
Respondent 10:
The respondent 10 was a graduate in Arts and had done basic computer course.
She was in Saree fall-biding business. She had six members in family. She was in
this business for last five years. Her husband‟s job was temporary and his income
was not sufficient to meet their household needs. She faced tremendous problems in
managing her family expenses. She tried a lot to find a job but was unable to get it.
She discussed her problem with her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law who worked in a
local chemical factory which produces acid, phenyl and soap. Respondent joined this
company as a sales person. The respondent was not in a position to pay deposit to the
company. Since her sister-in-law had been working there for last 12 years, on her
guarantee the company provided material to the respondent. She started selling these
products in the residential area near the station. She went from door to door to sell
the products. She used to work from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. But since the company
was not well known she found it difficult to sell the products. She had to convince
the customers. She earned very low income per month. But she felt that instead of
309
sitting idle at home any meagre income was of great help. Many times people shut
door on her face by shouting at her. Some people just for time pass kept on asking
price and went on bargaining. There were innumerable problems in this work. She
decided it was time to change her job. She shifted to Saree fall-biding business.
One of the respondent‟s relative who was running tailoring business and had
good business suggested to the respondent to start this business. Relative helped her
in the business by providing customers. At present she gets very less work and
requires more work to earn more income. The respondent wants to do tailoring
course and purchase a sewing machine so that she can expand her business. But due
to lack of finance she was unable to do it. She was struggling hard to run her
business just for survival of her family. Inspite of being highly educated person the
respondent was not aware of any of the government‟s schemes. She requires big
support from government and society for her business. She needs capital for her
business which she expects from the government, so that she can switch over to a
profitable business. Respondent neither had good status in her family nor in the
society. She also feels that if she receives family support she would have got courage
to face the problems and could have done business with more dedication. Negative
attitude of family towards her and the business was discouraging her to move
forward.
9.4 Observations:
Women in micro business of unorganised sector largely belong to lower income or
middle income group. Many of them were unable to work outside in organised sector
310
and had therefore entered into unorganised sector. While doing some of the case
studies of women entrepreneurs in unorganised sector it was observed that women
entrepreneurs in Vasai came from various family, educational and financial
backgrounds. They differ in many aspects from one another. But besides diversity
among these women there were some similarities among them as well. All women
entrepreneurs had to look after their household tasks. They had to put special efforts
for running their business. Many times they faced problems related to gender bias
while dealing with officials, financial institutions or with customers as well. Outdoor
mobility for longer period was a constraint for their business especially when their
children were small. Besides their success or struggling it was found that these
women entrepreneurs were good managers and managed excellent balance between
their work and household responsibilities. Women had more preference for their
family. Their dreams and future plans were largely connected with their family well
being, children‟s bright future, good education etc.
During study it was seen that some women were successful in their business
and had done wonders. They had played an important role in tackling family‟s
financial problems. They have managed to support their families financially in better
ways. These women seemed to be more confident, bold and courageous. They had
inherent skill of communication and were aware of how to attract their customers.
They were not hesitant and moved forward to publicise their business. They tried to
develop contacts and had improved their business. Besides many hurdles in their
way they had overcome them. It was not necessary that only those who had family
support or good financial background have succeeded. But those women who did not
311
receive any family support had also changed attitude of their family and society by
proving themselves successful in an adverse situation. It was seen that determination
and hardwork was not the only way to success. Despite determination and hardwork
it was found that some women were struggling for survival of business. It was the
management skill, self confidence and talent of doing business which had
distinguished women entrepreneurs into successful and struggling. Women
entrepreneurs who were successful did not expect more from others. They believed in
their own work but those who were struggling expected support from family, society
and government.
Change was observed especially by the successful entrepreneurs in the attitude
of society and family towards women entrepreneurs. Many women entrepreneurs
were enjoying good status in family and society. People have become more
optimistic about role of women entrepreneurs. Many families support not only their
daughters but also daughters-in-law to start business. In some cases women had
proved that they can manage family‟s financial need in better manner than male
member and accordingly were assisted by their husbands in the business. But they
still the attitude of equal status of women in family, their duties and expectations of
family about household work had not changed. Many times it was seen that women
had to sacrifice their career or good going business for the sake of family. There
were many women who faced multiple problems and were struggling for livelihood
from many years in business. Thus it is necessary to change our mindset about role
and importance of women in business. Providing proper business environment,