By Pritesh Kamble, Director, Rainbow Root Foundation
Maya, a 40 year old trans woman from the small village of Chempilod in Kannur, Kerala, is today celebrated as one of the state’s inspiring entrepreneurs. Her journey began with struggles, pain and exclusion. As a child, Maya began to notice changes in herself, which made her feel confused and afraid. Teachers, classmates and even family members discriminated her and she was forcefully dropped out from school after grade 5. After years at home, her family compelled her to work. She began as a painter, but once again due to low wages and harassment, she quit the job. But she did not loose hope.
Maya joined a hotel, where she developed her love for cooking. During this period, she became more aware of her gender identity. As she was afraid to express herself freely, Maya left Kerala and spent nearly five years in Bengaluru and Mysuru, facing many difficulties with other trans people.
A turning point came when the Kerala government announced its transgender policy. Encouraged by the promise of dignity and support, Maya returned home. With limited family backing and no steady job, she joined hands with nine other trans women to form a Kudumbashree unit, part of Kerala’s women empowerment initiative. From their residence, they started a small bakery unit making banana chips. By selling products in exhibitions in other states, Maya earned an income and became more confident.
She dreamed of becoming totally independent and she started her own tea shop. An opportunity knocked at her doors, when a shop at the Kannur fishing harbour was put up for auction by the Fisheries Department. With guidance from a corporation office staff member, Maya won. Despite being illiterate, she ran the shop with determination, opening initially at 6 am and earning a minimal income.
Her real transformation began after attending Entrepreneurship Development Training Program organized by YouthAid Foundation. She learnt practical business skills, maintaining daily income and expense records, eliminating unnecessary costs, regular savings and understanding customer needs. Based on these learnings, she shifted her shop’s opening time to 3 am to match the time when fishermen move out to sea. She changed the snack menu by adding items preferred by the fishermen, which helped improve sales. Her income raised from Rs.12,000/- to nearly Rs.16,000/-, YAF supported her with a seed capital of Rs.10000/- in which she purchased necessary utensils, mixer and made small renovations for the shop. She also hired an assistant. Encouraged by her success, she soon expanded her business by opening another café in a prestigious college campus.
Today, Maya is a recognized entrepreneur in Kerala and the winner of the Best Entrepreneur Award in YESummit 2026.
