By Manisha Bhalerao, Program Officer, YAF
Prajakta Kapile grew up in a modest family of five in Sinnar, Nashik. Like many young people from small towns, she chose a secure career path. With a B.Sc. and a diploma in medical lab technology, she secured a lab technician’s job and earned Rs . 30,000 a month. The job brought stability, but it also brought monotony. Day after day, she worked inside the lab, following the same routine. Deep inside, Prajakta longed to do something different.
Managing household expenses was not easy for her. Her salary was not enough to meet the expenses. At the same time, she noticed a shift around her. People were becoming health-conscious. They made informed choices by carefully reading labels, avoiding processed snacks, and opting for healthier alternatives. Prajakta seized the opportunity and turned her dream into reality.
She launched a small home-based bakery. She taught herself through practice and numerous trials, despite not having any formal training. Her first products were simple but innovative. She produced dry fruit chocolates, millet-based sugar-free cookies, and laddus made from nuts and seeds. Customers liked the taste, but the journey was not smooth.
Running a business from a rented space came with many hurdles. Prajakta had to pay rent, courier charges, and even staff salaries from her limited earnings. As orders grew, a bigger challenge appeared-packaging. The pouches would tear during delivery, and cookies often turned soft. She knew she had to solve this if she wanted her brand to survive.
At this stage, Prajakta came across YouthAid Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Development Training, supported by Samhita. The program introduced her to the basics of business growth. She learned how to choose durable packaging, use social media for branding, gather customer feedback, and scale production with small machinery. A seed fund of Rs . 10,000 helped her buy a packing machine. This modest investment turned out to be a significant turning point. Her products now looked professional, stayed fresh, and built trust among customers.
With new confidence, Prajakta launched her brand, NutriHealth. She promoted her products on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. She created short videos explaining the health benefits of her cookies and laddus. People in gyms, yoga centers, offices, and even schools started talking about her snacks. Local journalists, ASHA workers, and friends became her first loyal customers and brand ambassadors.
Under NutriHealth, Prajakta focused on making food both healthy and tasty. Her products are high in protein and fibre, rich in calcium, 100% natural, sugar-free, oil-free, and gluten-free. She targeted busy professionals, students, fitness enthusiasts, and families who wanted nutritious food without compromising on taste. Prajakta’s message is simple: “Eat only what is right for your health.”
What began as a home experiment has now become a flourishing business. Today, Prajakta earns between Rs . 1 lakh and Rs . 1.5 lakh every month. More than income, she has gained confidence and respect. She showcased her products at the 2025 YESummit in Bengaluru, addressing a larger audience about her mission. For her, the biggest achievement is the ability to inspire others-especially rural women who want to step beyond traditional roles.
