Stories
Begusarai woman turns rooftop into incense stick factory, builds successful business.
- •Premalata from Begusarai started making incense sticks in 2017 after joining Jeevika and receiving ten days of training.
- •She began her venture with an initial financial assistance of 40,000 rupees, producing black incense sticks on her verandah.
- •She started the business to support her family after her husband lost an arm in an accident, threatening their children's education.
- •Today, her business has grown significantly with production moved to a rooftop hall, employing five women and generating daily sales up to 10,000 rupees.
- •Her products reach customers across Begusarai and Patna, and both her children have successfully completed civil engineering studies.
Key Questions Answered
Premalata started making incense sticks in 2017 after joining Jeevika and completing a 10-day training program in Begusarai. Following a group meeting, she received initial financial assistance of about 40,000 rupees to launch her business.
Her business has grown into a setup with a capital of around 1 million rupees, operating from a hall on her house roof. Her unit produces about 40 kg of incense sticks and dhoopbatti daily, generating sales of 8,000 to 10,000 rupees while employing five women.
She was a housewife when her husband met with an accident and lost an arm, which suddenly increased the family's financial needs. Driven by the worry of funding her two children's education during these hard times, she joined Jeevika and started the venture.
