Many of the most successful female entrepreneurs didn’t start with wealth, connections, or a Master’s in education. Instead, they built their businesses from the ground up, overcoming financial struggles, societal barriers, and personal hardships. Their journeys prove that with determination, innovation, and resilience, success is possible for anyone.
What It Means to Start from Nothing
This case story highlights one such female entrepreneur, Sadhana NandKumar Godase, who started with nothing and turned her dream into a thriving business. Starting with nothing doesn’t just mean having little money—it can also mean lacking education, connections, or societal support. Many entrepreneurs who start from nothing rely on bootstrapping—funding their businesses with minimal resources.
Sadhana is a resident of Uchgaon in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. She got connected with YouthAid Foundation during a community survey of families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadhana belongs to a joint family consisting of ten members. Before COVID-19, her family ran a small dairy business, which was their only source of income. However, the pandemic forced them to shut down the business, leaving them without any financial support.
Determined to regain her financial independence, Sadhana decided to restart the dairy business. However, she lacked both the resources and the confidence to take the first step. Being part of the Entrepreneurship Training Program by YouthAid Foundation changed everything for her.
The program introduced her to crucial aspects of starting and scaling a business, such as: Securing a suitable location to start the business; Obtaining necessary licenses and registrations, such as FSSAI; Sourcing high-quality dairy products from local farms or reliable wholesalers; Setting up proper storage facilities; Establishing a distribution network; Implementing marketing strategies; Complying with hygiene standards; Considering factors like local demand, competition, and product variety to tailor the business strategy.
Sadhana realized that having a dairy products shop would provide her with a steady income stream due to the high demand for dairy products. She saw potential in diverse product offerings, relatively low barriers to entry depending on scale, and the ability to cater to a wide customer base. Additionally, she recognized the opportunity to engage with the local community by sourcing products from nearby farms, all while providing essential nutrients like protein and calcium to customers.
Reflecting on her training experience, Sadhana shared, “The training was very easy to understand. I learned how to select the ideal location for my business, conduct market research, network, and manage financial aspects like opening a current account.”
Following her training, Sadhana submitted a business plan to the YouthAid Foundation, which enabled her to receive financial assistance from Coforge. This funding provided her with the boost she needed to enter the market. With this support, she made immediate improvements to her business model and began seeing positive results.
Sadhana’s business is now scaling up, and she has ambitious plans for the future. Her next goal is to buy a four-wheeler to increase delivery capacity and expand her customer base to nearby villages. Beyond her personal success, she envisions more young people, especially women, entering the dairy business and achieving financial independence.
The participation of women like Sadhana in the dairy industry, especially in rural areas, significantly contributes to food security and nutrition. Ultimately, success isn’t just about starting with money—it’s about having the mindset to push forward, take risks, and adapt to challenges. Sadhana’s journey serves as an inspiration to many, proving that starting from nothing can lead to something extraordinary.
(This article is contributed by Sofy Mathew, Board of Directors, YouthAid Foundation)
