Empowered by the support of Samhita and guided by Manisha Bhalerao from YouthAid Foundation, Savita Jadhav transformed her small tailoring business into a steady source of income and self-respect. Her journey demonstrates how timely mentorship, financial tools, and practical knowledge can spark genuine change and help rural women develop into confident entrepreneurs.
In Gulwanch Village of Sinner Taluka, Nashik District, Savita Jadhav ran a small tailoring business to support her family. Despite her dedication and skill, she struggled to sustain or expand her work. Like many women in rural areas, Savita faced numerous barriers that hindered her progress. She had limited funds to invest in high-quality materials or modern sewing tools. She didn’t know how to manage business accounts, set proper prices, or market her work to more customers. Seasonal demand, rising competition, and lack of support made it even harder. Without formal training or knowledge of government schemes, she felt stuck. Household responsibilities and the absence of digital skills further kept her business from growing.
A Turning Point: Training and Support
Savita’s breakthrough came when she learnt about the economic and digital literacy program run by the YouthAid Foundation. This program aimed to support rural entrepreneurs like her by building knowledge and connecting them to government support schemes. The training introduced her to essential topics, including financial planning, savings, insurance, social security, marketing, and awareness of government schemes. For the first time, Savita began to understand how to manage her business better.
A significant boost occurred when she learned about the Vishwakarma Scheme, a government initiative that provided her with Rs 15,000. Additionally, the scheme offered her access to a loan of up to Rs . 3 lakhs at a low interest rate. This support provided her with the means to upgrade her equipment and invest in higher-quality materials.
With the training and financial help, Savita took active steps to improve her business. She began keeping proper records of her earnings and expenses, started saving regularly, and planned her purchases more carefully. She also began using simple digital tools and social media to promote her work, which helped her reach a wider audience beyond her village. With the funds from the Vishwakarma Scheme, she bought new equipment and better cloth materials, which improved the quality and speed of her work. This gave her the confidence to take on more orders and meet growing demand.
A Story of Hope and Learning
Savita’s tailoring business saw a positive change. She became more productive, her earnings increased to around ₹5,000 per month, and she was able to manage her work more efficiently. The financial stability brought peace of mind and allowed her to focus on her plans. Beyond personal growth, her success story began inspiring other women in Gulwanch village. Seeing Savita’s journey, more women became curious about training programs and began exploring how they too could improve their livelihoods.
Looking back, Savita feels proud of how far she has come. She says, “The training and support provided by the YouthAid Foundation have been instrumental in transforming my business. I now have the skills and confidence to manage my finances and grow my business successfully.”
Her story shows that rural women can succeed as entrepreneurs if they get the right support at the right time. Access to knowledge, financial assistance, and ongoing mentorship can transform small ventures into sustainable businesses. Through her journey, Savita has not only empowered herself but has also shown others in her community what’s possible when women are given the tools to succeed.
