Meet Suman, a woman whose journey embodies the transformative power of opportunity and self-belief. At 55, her path reflects the resilience required to navigate dreams deferred. Raised in a supportive, education-valuing family, Suman completed 11th grade with aspirations for higher studies and a career. Marriage, however, redirected her course. Setting aside personal ambitions, she embraced family life, hoping her career goals might find support later. Yet, modest family earnings from farming and a small clothing store limited those possibilities.
Inspiration and support for a venture
Despite challenges, Suman adapted, assisting with the farm and store as family needs grew. The desire for independent income simmered, but uncertainty held her back. The turning point came through community connection. Encouraged by local women, she joined a Self-Help Group (SHG) in 2019 and a Cluster-Level Federation (CLF) near Dehradun in Uttarakhand in 2020. These two platforms provided the motivation and support needed to explore new paths.
Her first entrepreneurial venture, a small fast food store. This initiative brought additional income to her family and laid the foundation for her to be more courageous in taking up more endeavors.
Cake molds at Suman’s bakery unit
Filling a gap in the baked goods market
These women of the CLF recognized the demand for baked goods in the region. They established a bakery unit with the support of Women on Wings’ partner, Uttarakhand’s Gramya Vikas Samiti (UGVS) in mid 2024 with a perceived high potential scope for catering to the market demand of baked goods. Trained in baking and management, Suman became instrumental in its operations. Using high-quality local ingredients sourced from fellow women producers, they craft cookies, cakes and breads.
Their commitment to quality gained recognition, supplying products to the UGVS launched retail brand, House of Himalayas, a platform to be globally launched that Women on Wings is providing business consulting and implementation support which showcases the bounty produced by women like Suman. Their baked goods feature in premium gift packages and local markets, reaching customers beyond state lines.
The bakery unit symbolizes collaboration, with women from SHGs and CLF pooling resources to meet demand. Efforts to streamline logistics aim to reduce costs and losses, while quality control is prioritized through professional training from UGVS. Suman has entrusted her fast food store to her family, allowing her to focus on the bakery’s growth and achieve professional fulfillment.
She unleashes her potential
Suman’s journey has brought more than financial stability; it has forged a new identity. Once defined solely by household roles, she now proudly identifies as a skilled working woman, directing her earnings towards her children’s future. Inspired by iconic Indian brands, she and her CLF team envision scaling the bakery, standardizing operations and building a robust network of women entrepreneurs.
Suman reinvented herself, from a homemaker with quiet aspirations into an entrepreneur actively shaping her future. Her compelling
story is just one in millions about the incredible potential unleashed when community support, determination and opportunity converge.
Suman being interviewed by Women on Wings Project Manager Zeenita Pata
Our partnership with Uttarakhand’s Gramya Vikas Samiti (UGVS)
Suman has had a transformative experience from joining her local SHG and CLF. Her CLF, near Dehradun in Uttarakhand, is facilitated by Department of Rural Development – Government of Uttarakhand’s Gramya Vikas Samiti (UGVS), a State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) to undertake implementation of livelihood projects. UGVS is engaged in the implementation of the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP) which is developing the House of Himalayas brand’s packaging and marketing of products from the state.
Women on Wings partners with UGVS to co-create sustainable livelihoods and access to markets for women in rural Uttarakhand. by strengthening the House of Himalayas as a robust and sustainable brand to co-create livelihood opportunities for women living in rural Uttarakhand.
Together, we crafted a comprehensive business plan and a road map and we are developing a branding and marketing strategy, identifying products with potential, determining cost pricing, backward integration-streamlining processes and supply chain efficiency creation. We will also develop organizational structure and capacity building for HR systems/procedures.
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