From Homemaker to Rs. 1.14 Crore Entrepreneur: The Story That Proves It’s Never Too Late.
When everything fell apart, she built something extraordinary from scratch.
If you’re reading this wondering whether it’s too late to start over, whether your lack of skills, or whether you can really build something from nothing, let Shyama Devi’s story answer those doubts for you.
The Breaking Point
Shyama Devi wasn’t living a comfortable life in Fatehpur village, Dehradun. She was trapped in circumstances that would have broken most people. Her husband struggled with alcoholism and couldn’t provide for the family. When he lost his job, they had to sell their house just to survive. Her children dropped out of school because they couldn’t afford the fees.
She had no formal education. She lived in a village where women couldn’t even leave their homes without their husband’s permission. Her own family had turned away from her.
But Shyama Devi’s story is not ordinary one because she didn’t wait for her circumstances to change. She changed them herself.
The First Bold Step
In 2012, Shyama did something revolutionary for her context. She started the Mahila Jagrati Samooh, a women’s self-help group, with just 10 women from her village.
For four consecutive months, she held meetings to educate women about financial independence.
Think about that.
A woman who couldn’t afford to feed her children consistently spent months convincing other women that they deserved economic freedom.
When Everything Collapsed (Again)
The group fell apart. The women were too poor to contribute even Rs. 100 per month. Every member wanted to quit. Every member asked to withdraw their names.
This is the moment most people give up. This is where the story usually ends.
But not for Shyama Devi
The Comeback
With support from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and block officials, Shyama learned about government schemes and proper group management. On January 1, 2014, she reformed the group with 25 members and was elected president.
She had zero business experience. She had never run an organization. She had no capital.
What she did have was determination and a willingness to learn.
Building an Empire, One Skill at a Time
Shyama started learning everything she could:
- Food packaging and preservation techniques
- Value addition processes
- Marketing strategies
- Jute bag making and designer printing
- Production of eco-friendly bags
She learned each skill first, gained experience, and then taught others. When the district banned polythene bags, her group was ready with eco-friendly alternatives. When Anganwadis needed ration packaging, her group stepped in.
The Numbers That Changed Everything
Today, the Mahila Jagrati Samooh has an annual turnover of Rs. 1.14 crore. Each member saves approximately Rs. 2.4 lakh annually.
The woman who once couldn’t pay her children’s school fees now owns a house and a car. The woman who wasn’t allowed to leave her home without permission now trains women across Uttarakhand.
Beyond Money: Building a Legacy
Shyama didn’t stop at economic empowerment. Her group now:
- Provides free water filters and fans to Anganwadis
- Builds toilets for the poor
- Participates in cleanliness drives
- Educates women across districts
In October 2018, she received the State Level Women’s Honor Award from the Vice Chancellor of G.B. Pant University.
What Shyama Wants You to Know
In her own words: “I love my work. My biggest achievement was that I first tried everything, gained experience, and then advised others.”
She didn’t have an MBA. She didn’t have startup capital. She didn’t have a supportive family situation or formal education.
What she had was the courage to start and the persistence to continue when everything fell apart.
Your Turn
Maybe you’re over 30, wondering if you missed your window. Maybe you’re a mother who took a career break and feels out of touch. Maybe you want to change careers but have no experience in your dream field.
Shyama’s story tells you this: Your past doesn’t determine your future. Your age doesn’t limit your potential. Your lack of experience is just a starting point, not a stopping point.
She started with nothing but determination and built an organization that now turns over crores. She transformed not just her life, but the lives of hundreds of women in her community.
If she could do it from where she started, imagine what you can do from where you are.
What’s holding you back from starting today? Share your thoughts in the comments below.