Everyday we hear about women who take on the heaviest possible load and execute it skillfully. This is the extraordinary story of a woman who displayed great courage in the face of adversity and scripted a story of success.
Balwinder Kaur from Bathinda, completed her masters in Punjabi. After that, she got married to Mr.Gurwinder Singh, who was working in a private company. Due to some reasons, he gave resign to his job and this led to the poor financial conditions of the family. For improving the economical conditions of her family, Balwinder Kaur decided to offer a helping hand to her husband, and he also supported Balwinder in this decision. As it is rightly said, if your better-half walks along with you every obstacle becomes easier to handle. She started a PG(Paying Guest) in her house. The work flourished well initially but later on she decided to shut it down because earning was very less.
Then, she thought of opening a boutique but again dropped the idea of same. In 2008-09, she did a course of beautician but she was not interested in this so she never thought of taking over it in her career.
“From the very beginning, my interest was in cooking. All my relatives and friends knew that I am a very good cook, that’s why they always appreciate my cooking skills. Finally, I thought of opting this hobby as my career”, says Balwinder Kaur.
Balwinder Kaur has then completed a training program in making pickles and chutneys from Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Bathinda. There she met Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Dhillon, who guided her and encouraged her to expand her work.
“Now-a-days, people are having health issues due to consuming adulterated food from outside. So, I thought of serving people by making pure home made food products”, explains Balwinder Kaur while sharing her entrepreneurial journey.
Balvinder initially invested ₹10,000. She prepared about 20 kg pickle. This pickle was sold out in a few days. She then increased the quantity. Along with pickles, marmalade and chutney also started selling. She says that we had not kept any business plan. As the demand of people increased, we increased the quantity. Balwinder currently sell pickles up to 5 quintals in a season.
Balwinder knew the importance of marketing and labelling in any business, so with the help of Dr. Satwinder Kaur and Harinder Kaur, she got the training in packing and labelling of the products. After getting the training in Squash manufacturing from KVK, Bathinda, she started her work at home. She made a Self Help Group (SHG) in which there were 12 women. These women helped her in cutting the material and in packing of the prepared products.
“This SHG helps me in my work and also it provides employment to other women which gives me a huge satisfaction”, says Balwinder Kaur.
Balwinder manufacture and sell her products under the brand name ‘Zebra Smart Food’.
She says, “We should use organically prepared products only that will help us and our children to remain fit and healthy. Those women who want to do something, must come forward with their ideas. They should not waste their time in thinking at home. They should make efforts to fulfill their dreams. Have faith in God and keep working hard.”
Balwinder’s entrepreneurial journey is truly commendable. Setting up a business in personally turbulent times is praiseworthy, and after overcoming those obstacles, she has successfully set a milestone.