From Dr. Gazalla Amin, the owner of Fasiam Agro Farms, to Rifat Masoodi, who runs a manufacturing unit of cricket bats; women entrepreneurs in J&K have spanned a wide range of business domains. For female Kashmiri entrepreneurs like these, success did not come easy; they had to fight against societal pressure and overcome challenges such as the lack of financial support and technology resources. However, they attained new heights despite the hurdles on their way. Many young Kashmiri girls, today, want to follow their footsteps. Here are some tips and ideas for them to turn into entrepreneurs.
Business Ideas for Young Kashmiri Women
Some profitable business options for women in Kashmir include the following sectors.
Tourism
Since Jammu and Kashmir is a popular travel destination, this domain offers significant opportunities. Starting a travel guide service or a taxi service, or running a business of arranging local tours for visitors can be profitable business options for girls in Kashmir.
Food
Tourists not only look for places worth visiting, but also search for restaurants that provide good food. Young Kashmiri girls can consider starting a restaurant serving Kashmiri delicacies. Those fond of cooking can start a bakery or a catering service.
Clothing and Jewellery
Kashmiri girls who know how to knit or stitch can consider starting a clothing business. Selling handmade jewellery can also prove to be a lucrative business idea. Girls with a fashion sense can consider starting a boutique or a clothing or jewellery store. Selling Kashmiri shawls, rugs and carpets can also turn out to be profitable.
Handicrafts
A handicrafts store can be one of the best business ideas for young women in Kashmir, as Kashmir’s art and craft articles are widely popular in India and abroad. The business could include selling of furniture, vases, decorative articles in stone or wood, and embroidery work.
Agriculture and Horticulture
Kashmir is known for apples, dates and dry fruits, mainly nuts. Saffron from Kashmir is world-famous. The cultivation of vegetables and fruits native to the Kashmir Valley, can be a good business option for young Kashmiri women. Growing and selling flowers or products obtained from flowers is another lucrative business idea for girls in Kashmir.
These entrepreneurship ideas do not imply that there are only a few sectors for starting a business in Kashmir. Female entrepreneurs such as Maymoona Nazir who owns a gym, Maheen Rashid Pandith who runs a school, and Samar Shawl and Syed Naireen Zein who are into the packaging business, are examples of the variety of domains that can be explored. Some factors underlying the success of these businesswomen is their strong determination, family support, and intrinsic motivation. Here are some things every Kashmiri girl can take from them and use as tips to be an entrepreneur.
Tips for Young Kashmiri Girls Who Want to be Entrepreneurs
If you are a young girl from Jammu and Kashmir, who dreams to start a business, here are some tips that can help you achieve success in your endeavour.
Turn Your Hobby into a Business
See what you are passionate about and consider turning your passion or hobby into a business idea. This will help in faster business growth and your journey to success will be more fulfilling.
Promote Your Business Online
Social networking websites and other online platforms are the most effective means to promote your business. Start a blog or publish posts on social networking sites. This way, you will reach a large audience in less time.
Set Priorities
Starting a business is more difficult, if you have family responsibilities or if you are pursuing education or a job. In completing your daily chores, ensure that you allocate some time to work on your business idea.
Communicate with Family
Ensure that your family knows about your business idea. Family support plays a crucial role in achieving business success.
Stay Motivated
You may face societal pressure and fight gender bias. Additionally, modern facilities lack and unrest frequents in the Kashmir region. So, as a girl who dreams to be an entrepreneur, you will have to stay motivated always. This is something you can learn from successful women entrepreneurs from the Kashmir Valley.
Believe in Yourself
Entrepreneurship is about taking risks, facing challenges, yet working with enthusiasm towards achieving your goals. There are times when the business idea doesn’t seem to work. In a region like Kashmir, your working conditions may worsen in times of unrest. During these times, only self-belief can keep you going.
These tips and ideas should help you achieve your dream of being a successful businesswoman. Take inspiration from female Kashmiri entrepreneurs around you, who decided to be self-starters and created employment opportunities for others in the region. You could be one of them. Remember, success comes to those who persevere.
