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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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support, developing business skill and selecting proper business venture will go a

long way to those struggling women entrepreneurs to achieve success.