10 Homemakers Will Now Embark On Their Entrepreneurial Journey, Thanks To Britannia Marie Gold’s My Startup 2.0 Contest

Homemakers are CEOs of the household.

They make multi-tasking look effortless and are geniuses when it comes to time management, crisis management, people management, negotiations – the list is endless! It is a homemaker who holds the family together as she relentlessly works towards giving every member a comfortable life, most times leaving behind her own dreams and ambitions.

I say this because 48% of housewives in the country have entrepreneurial dreams when they are young, according to the Britannia Marie Gold Indian Women Entrepreneurship Report, AC Nielsen Study, 2018. Some even try to pursue their individual ventures. However, the lack of financial support, time, and/or confidence stops them from doing so.

Hence, to empower such promising entrepreneurs, Britannia Marie Gold came up with ‘My Startup Contest’ in 2019. In season 2 this year, the initiative became even bigger and better through a partnership with National Skill Development Corporation through which the top 10,000 winners of the contest won online courses on skill development and entrepreneurship, in addition to the cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs for the final 10 winners.

In season 2, the ‘My Start Up’ Contest received an overwhelming response from homemakers. There were as many as 1.5 million entries in a span of 3 months across all age and socio-economic groups from 32 states and union territories. Applications poured via WhatsApp, the website, and phone calls.

However, due to the current pandemic, the contest was held virtually and it was a grand success. All the contestants were able to participate in the contest from inside the comfort of their homes!

50 finalists were shortlisted for an all virtual grand finale on 29^th and 30^th June during which they presented their business ideas to some of the country’s leading luminaries from the field of business.

Among the 50 finalists, 10 contestants with the best business ideas took home  Rs. 10 lakhs and an opportunity to finally chase their dreams!

One of the winners is a woman named Ms. Ragini Kumari, who grew up with an inclination towards gardening. Thoughts of giving back to the environment through innovative gardening and plantation techniques to minimize pollution occupied her mind since childhood. So much so that she used bio-degradable kitchen waste to create beautiful pots for her plants. One day, while potting a sapling, she had the idea for a 100% eco-friendly nursery. It was this idea that helped her win the contest and she is now on her way to fulfil her dream!

Similarly, Ms. Shikha Dey in West Bengal is about to start her fishing business and Ms.  Sumathi from Tamil Nadu is about to open her own eye-care clinic.

This is not a fairy tale. This is the reality of 10 homemakers who are now on their way to becoming homepreneurs. Here’s an inspiring 2-minute video which gives us a look at the winners’ beautiful journey:

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