Karpagam, Beauty Parlor & Ornamental Jewels

When I reached 15, my mother had me marry Padmaraj, 31, from above our caste. I had finished 10th standard in government schools. After marriage, we were very poor, so the owner of the textile shop where I was working found a chance for me to study Material Technology. With the teacher’s guidance, I transferred over to the Fashion Technology course at Rose College, where I earned a scholarship. My dress was so poor that classmates refused to sit at the same desk with me.

I was able to get a job at Resimi Beautician Centre at Trichy and worked there for seven years, with a minimum salary of Rs 3,000 a month. How could I run our family with two children on so little?

I decided to start my own business. With my own savings, I invested Rs 20,000 on rental of a shop, and used my Prosperity Rings loan for beautician supplies and ornamental jewels to lend out. During the wedding season, I earn between Rs 1,000 and 5,000 per day. I also work at 4 to 6 special events, from which I earn per month Rs 12,000 to 15,000. My two daughters are getting a good education at a private school. My future aim is to start a beautician training center for poor, neglected ladies, and form a different unit for the trained ladies to do their work.