Who said marriage is the end of the story for a woman? Some stories begin after marriage.
Mridula Jain’s journey as a homemaker and mother to a pioneering entrepreneur is an inspiration for us. Mridula was born into a conservative family and was told to prioritize marriage over higher education. After all, that was the custom.
Luckily, Mridula’s husband didn’t think the same way. Her husband wholeheartedly supported her when she revealed her desire for further education (MA in English). So, She pursued her studies and began a career as a teacher but managing her home and work became a big challenge for her, especially after the birth of her two sons.
So, Mridula started tutoring students from home.
Her life completely changed after a chance conversation with her nephew. He supplied yarn to shawl makers and the conversation fanned the entrepreneurial fire in Mridula. Noticing the limited designs in traditional shawls, she decided to create fashionable shawls with diverse patterns.
Her husband was a constant support and helped her in every step of her journey. She acquired 8 handlooms with her husband’s assistance and started producing shawls featuring ‘phulkari’ designs, a traditional Punjabi art form. Her innovative patterns quickly gained popularity, resulting in an initial order worth ₹10 lakh.
When she saw the potential for Growth, Mridula started modernizing the shawl industry with her exquisite patterns. She established the Shawl Club and Wool Association in Ludhiana and advocated for policy changes that allowed the use of power looms in shawl production.
This helped in mass production and boosted the growth of the industry.
Today, Midrula Jain’s brand Shingora stands as a testimony of her determination, and vision. The company boasts a turnover of ₹100 crore, a presence in approximately 100 retail stores across India, and contributes to nearly 20% of the country’s shawl exports.
Mridula Jain shows us how every problem has a solution and how solution-centric focus can help you fulfil your dreams.