First battle is to be taken seriously, say women entrepreneurs

For many women entrepreneurs, the toughest hurdle is not production, marketing or sales; it is being taken seriously. That sentiment echoed strongly at ‘Escalera The Women Fest’ where women business owners from across Kerala have gathered to showcase their ventures and share stories of resilience.

Asna Ansar, founder of the fashion and lifestyle brand Asasaa Emporium, said her five-year-journey in business began with misgivings from others and self-doubt.

“People did not always see it as a real business in the beginning” says Ms. Ansar who is from Ernakulam. She had to prove herself through her work and maintain quality to gain customer trust.

Ms. Ansar who attended the fete to connect with other women entrepreneurs said she was impressed to see so many women confidently managing their own ventures. Platforms such as Escalera, she felt, motivated the women to dream bigger and expand their operations.

Deeja Satheeshan from Kilimanoor in Thiruvananthapuram, who runs the food products brand Nymitra, has been in business for nine years and has served more than 4,000 customers. Her locomotor disability had many doubting whether she could manage a business. “I did not want sympathy, I wanted a chance,” she says. A loan from Kerala State Differently Abled Welfare Corporation Ltd. helped her get the business off the ground. Her journey was also affected by floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted production and sales. The corporation though helped her stabilise the venture during such tough phases.

Preetha J. from Thiruvananthapuram runs Tatoz Handmade, an online jewellery and fashion accessories brand she started 15 years ago. The business began as a way to become financially independent and manage personal responsibilities on her own. “I wanted to stand on my own feet,” says Ms. Preetha.

Balancing health concerns owing to a spinal cord injury and work was one of her main challenges, but steady effort helped her build a regular customer base. Support from organisations including Pallium India helped her reach more customers.

Escalera, she says, gives small entrepreneurs like her visibility and confidence. “When we see so many women running businesses, we feel stronger and more hopeful about growing our own,” says Ms. Preetha.

Escalera has created a space where women entrepreneurs can share experiences, learn from one another, and gain the confidence to move forward despite challenges. For many participants, the fete is not just a marketplace, but a reminder that they are part of a growing community of women making their own paths in business.