Tina Debnath

Home Maker to Entrepreneur

Tina Debnath, a 28 years old married woman from Amboula, Dharampur 1 G.P under Gaighata P.S, North 24 Parganas Dist, was a typical house maker. Her husband Tanuj Das was engaged with their small family business unit wooden handle, accessories making unit, but struggling with the family daily needs, Tina di firmly decided to do something for her family. When we met the couple, Tina di confidently explained their present business condition and future planning and needs. Heard about BSLP programme they decided to enrol herself in the Bandhan Sustainable Livelihood Program (BSLP). Beside PMEGP loan processing the program provided her with training in entrepreneurship, market survey, operation management, accounts maintenance and product sales and marketing.

During the training program, their focus was to expand the existing unit called Maa Kali Enterprise. We guide them to expanded the business by introducing 6 semi-automatic cutting machine, polish machine with the capacity of 1000 pcs ready wooden handle, butt, accessories at daily basis with the help of 8 skilled staff. She registered her enterprise as a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and secured a loan through the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) from Punjab National Bank. The loan subsidy amount she received was Rs. 349740/-, and the total project cost was Rs. 949293/-.

While running her own business, they also face challenges such as competition from other manufacturers, raw materials collection, fluctuating market demands, cash flow and financial management, labour crisis etc. However, they trying to overcome these challenges by continuously improving strategies. Now she has a good wholesaler network and staying updated with market trends. Earlier their income was 7-8K Per month, but after this venture that has been increased up to 22-25K Per month. Her Husband, Tanuj Das now treat her as a business partner and supported her in order to sustain their income and improve their financial situation.

Tina’s vision is to increase the volume of her business while maintaining the quality of her products. She intends to reach out to a wider market and expand her customer base. With her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication she has now become self-dependent and aims to create employment opportunities for others. Currently, she has employed eight local people, providing them with a means of livelihood. By hiring more manpower, she plans to further enhance her business operations.

Through the Bandhan Sustainable Livelihood Program and her own efforts, she has not only become self-dependent but also created sustainable income opportunities to other unemployed youth.