The business sector is dominated by men, and the society at large still has a rigid mindset about gender roles. It is difficult for women to break the glass ceiling and moreover, venture into business, more so, in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir where turbulence and political unrest are common and Internet shutdowns frequent. However, there are some women who overcome these difficulties and pursue their dream of starting a business, with great determination. Here we introduce you to 10 Kashmiri women who have emerged successful as entrepreneurs.
Gazalla Amin: She was always fond of agriculture and loved nature, but due to parental pressure, she studied medicine. She earned an MBBS; however, instead of pursuing a career in medicine, she ventured into the farming sector and started cultivating aromatic plants. She owns and runs Fasiam Agro Farm. Fasiam’s products include dry flowers and essential oils among others, which are sold across India. Dr. Gazalla Amin received the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship for 2015 and is the only woman to be honoured with J&K’s Progressive Farming Award (2011). This successful Kashmiri entrepreneur is an inspiration for Kashmiri women who dream to start their own business.
Rifat Masoodi: She is the only woman to own a manufacturing unit of cricket bats in Jammu and Kashmir. Her father-in-law had started a bat-manufacturing business in the 1970s, which had to be shut down in the 1990s. Rifat decided to revive this business and started working towards the same. She started bat manufacturing units in Awantipora, Anantnag, and Pampore and has been running the business for more than 18 years, with the bats being sold across the country. Popularly known as the bat-woman, this Kashmiri entrepreneur dreams to provide bats to Indian cricket’s icons.
Nusrat Jahan Ara: This 38-year-old woman from Dadoora village in Pulwama started growing flowers and selling them. Using all her savings for the initial investment, she started a company named ‘Petals and Ferns’. She runs another company called ‘Himalayan Agro Farms’ under which she sells personal care and home care products branded as Kashmir Essence. Her story serves as a motivation for many women with an ambition to be an entrepreneur.
Mufti Sadia: This Kashmiri woman entrepreneur in her late 20s has started her own brand by the name ‘Hangers, the Closet’ and owns a boutique. She quit her job and entered the clothing business at a time when there were no women in this sector. Her boutique was one of the first few in Srinagar. During the COVID-19 crisis, she manufactured and sold face masks in Kashmir.
Mymoona Nazir: This Kashmiri businesswoman owns a gym located on the way to Buchpora. Difficult financial conditions forced her to give up studies and take up odd jobs. Despite the challenges, she decided to be a self-starter and started a gym called ‘Get in Shape’. Today, she aims to increase the gym space and introduce more equipment.
Mehvish Zargar: She stays in Lal Bazar area and owns and runs a cafe named ME’n’U Cafe. After earning a bachelor’s degree in law, she decided to become an entreprenuer by starting this cafe. The cafe is known for its food and ambience and is popular among youngsters. It has modern facilities and a seating capacity of 50.
Maheen Rashid Pandith: She stays in Sopore, has earned an MBA from Amity University, and had a dream of being a self-starter since childhood. So, after completing her education, she started the Ammity International School, which has been enrolling students for the last four years. Currently, it has 180 students and 25 staff members. The journey of this female entrepreneur from Kashmir provides an inspiration to many young women.
Rifat Mushtaq: In the industrial area of Zakura, Rifat runs a cardboard box manufacturing unit and a printing press. Starting with the manufacture of matchboxes and later diversifying her business, this female entrepreneur from Kashmir is an inspiration for many.
Sana Imtiyaz Hussaini: Born and raised in Srinagar, Sana was always interested in baking. She turned her passion into a profession by starting an online baking business. Her venture is called ‘Sweet Temptations by Sana’ under which she bakes and sells a variety of cakes designed as per the buyers’ requirements. She has completed certificate courses in baking and a diploma course in cake decoration. This very young woman entrepreneur from Kashmir is an example of how one should break stereotypes to pursue one’s passion.
Iram Sidique: This Kashmiri woman entrepreneur owns and runs Splash Beauty Point in Soura. While pursuing an MBA from the Jammu University, she had already decided to start her own business. Her salon is equipped with modern amenities, provides different beautifying techniques, and is known for offering quality service. Despite facing opposition, she ventured into the beauty and grooming sector and is successfully running the salon. Her success is a motivation for many budding women entrepreneurs from Kashmir.
Mehak Parvez: She is the first woman to start a candle-making business in Kashmir. Her scented and customized designer candles have gained popularity across the country. She promotes her business and sells candles over Instagram and other social networking platforms. In less than a year of starting her business, she has over 1000 followers on Instagram, and she gets a good number of candle-making orders. Mehak is an engineering graduate from Srinagar who has turned her hobby into her profession. This innovative woman entrepreneur from Kashmir has set a good example for many young women of Kashmir.
These women faced criticism from society and had to overcome challenges at almost every step, but nothing could deter their spirits. They embarked on a difficult journey out of their ambition to gain confidence and achieve economic independence, and in the process, contribute towards changing the mindset of society and encourage other women to pursue their dreams. These successful Kashmiri female entrepreneurs continue to inspire several other women who wish to take the road less travelled and attain success.
