By Jayashree Sapkale, Program Manager, Nandurbar
Many young people in rural areas have good business ideas but lack the knowledge and resources to grow them. Entrepreneurship training helps them learn how to manage a business, serve customers and increase their income. The Samruddha Kisan Project (Phase II), supported by ASK Foundation and implemented by Centre for Youth Development and Activities, is helping rural entrepreneurs build better livelihoods through training and business support. One such success story is that of Nikita Saxena from Ranipur village in Nandurbar district.
Nikita and her husband had a small breakfast stall. It was the only source of income for their family. The family’s enterprise faced several operational and financial constraints. They cooked on a traditional firewood stove, which affected Nikita’s health and made cooking slow. They did not have basic facilities like seating for customers or proper storage space. Because of the limited facilities, many customers did not stay or return, which affected their business. They earned only ₹400–₹500 a day, making it difficult to save money or improve their stall.
These challenges made it difficult for the family to grow their business and earn a better income. Nikita joined a three-day Entrepreneurship Development Program conducted by CYDA. During the training, she learnt
- How to plan and manage a business.
- How to keep financial records.
- How to provide better customer service.
- The importance of hygiene and food safety.
After completing the training, Nikita received support to improve her business. She was provided with tables and chairs for customers, storage units to keep materials safely, cooking utensils, and a gas stove. This support helped her run the breakfast stall more efficiently and provide better service to her customers. These improvements made her shop cleaner, more comfortable and attractive for customers. The gas stove also reduced smoke and made cooking faster and easier.
A New Beginning
After making these changes, more customers started visiting the stall. Her daily income increased to Rs.1,000/- per day. With regular savings, Nikita bought a refrigerator worthRs.35,000/- using her own earnings. She expanded her business by selling cold drinks, packaged water and other refreshments along with breakfast items. Today, her business is growing gradually. Her family has a better income, more financial security and greater confidence for the future.
“Earlier, we worked hard but earned very little because our shop lacked basic facilities. After the entrepreneurship training and business support, our shop became more organized, customers started increasing, and our income doubled. With my savings, I even purchased a refrigerator to expand the business. Today, I feel confident that our enterprise will continue to grow and provide a better future for my family.”
– Nikita Rakesh Saxena
Today, Nikita is running the business successfully and also inspiring other young entrepreneurs in her community to believe that small opportunities can lead to big achievements. In future, she wants to expand her business to other locations and do good for society.
