Salute to Feminine Power : Navratri day 7

1. Can we create a balance between wider and deeper impact ?  Can we  Train those ladies in "design" when we distribute 10000 sewing machines to the rural poor ladies so that they can actually create a sustainable and incremental income source for themselves ?

2. Can we design programs for the rural poor masses that address their needs rather than giving them what the world wants to see ? 

3. Can we patiently invest in Smaller changes in the beginning so that they can make a powerful History in the end ? 

These are the three powerful questions  posed by a social entrepreneur and Rashtriya Nari Shakti Award Winner  from Pune Reema Sathe to the Audience and the Government and social sector at large in her concluding remarks in the TEDx talk she  gave couple of years ago… 

If you carefully read these questions then you may understand the gaps in our social development programs which in spite of being there for years have not been much successful in eliminating the root cause of poverty and unemployment in the society at large.

This understanding comes when you are deeply and practically connected with the  people with whom you are working and  in whom you want to bring about a change

She was deeply moved when she read about the increasing number of farmer suicides almost daily, back in 2014 then … she quit her plush job in an agricultural company and decided to work for the upliftment of farming community.. Starting with forming a group of 10 farmers with an intent to help them reach out to markets  with some added value and earn some premium income over and above market trends largely governed by Middlemen, today Happy Roots the company founded by Reema Sathe is proud Guide for More than 30000 farmers across 5 states in the country .. all this just in a span of 7 years 

No Great Technology startup, No great Valuation , no great funding … Just a Honest intent to help the farmers coupled with simple practical solutions ( some Food processing units) based on needs of  the farmers and a consistent  work on the ground. 

Happy Roots today has become a Name to reckon with in the national and international Arena  

As the founder of Happy Roots, Reema  has extensively worked on developing farm-to-market business models in grains, millets, fresh produce & poultry with focus on giving equal opportunity to rural women to assume entrepreneurial and leadership roles in the supply chain. 

Reema is a Presidential ‘ Rashtriya Nari Shakti Puraskar’ (2016) award winner  (awarded by the Honorable President of India and Ministry of woman & child development) recognized for bringing positive economic change for rural women in Maharashtra. She has been listed as one of the Most Powerful Women in Indian impact business by the Business Today magazine and has been featured in Forbes Magazine, CNBC TV 18, The Better India, She The People. She is a past fellow at UnLtd India and the British Asian Trust. 

Reema has served as a livelihood and gender expert with the World Bank Group. She also delivers guest lectures on social entrepreneurship at various colleges including Graduate School of Management St. Petersburg State University, Russia and IIM-Ahmedabad. Reema Sathe has set a great example for every youngster who wants to do a bright career as an entrepreneur, aims to serve for the society, then absolutely her journey will inspire you a lot.    

How To Become An Entrepreneur ?

Becoming an entrepreneur may not have a degree requirement nor specific professional requirements, but it takes lots of knowledge, passion and a drive to achieve. “Entrepreneur” is an exciting title for many as it can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. The entrepreneurial path tends to start with a great idea. You may turn to your friend and say “wouldn’t it be great if…?” and your wheels start turning on what resources and technology you might need to bring this idea to life. Those interested should create a plan and include the following steps on becoming an entrepreneur:

1. Identify the Problem / need that your Idea addresses to solve.

2. Approach any of the Startup incubator  centres spread across the country ( Pune as 5 such incubation Centres)

3. Get your idea validated and converted into a business Plan 

4. Get incubated at the centre and start your business while at the centre with the help of the Government and Incubation Support team.. Start earning revenue and then when you are ready, Move out of the centre and grow further.  Entrepreneurs are in business for themselves. Since they're often their own boss, entrepreneurs may not need higher education. There are plenty of helpful resources on the internet and around us to guide individuals on their new career paths. Having a college degree can be  beneficial, however. Having some functional expertise and formal degree in the business domain might help while your raise funds from investors. 

If you want to get a formal  educational degree to become an entrepreneur. Then you can enrol for any certificate, diploma or degree courses, 

 

Courses for entrepreneurship degree

There are many courses for you to pursue as an entrepreneur, like UG and PG programs. Some of them are listed below:

• Diploma in entrepreneurship

• Certificate courses

• Postgraduate diploma in entrepreneurial management

• postgraduate diploma in entrepreneurship

• BBA in entrepreneurship

• MA in social entrepreneurship

• MBA in entrepreneurship

If you are an undergraduate, you can take admission after 12th in any renowned college offering  the courses.

If you want to do a master’s in entrepreneurship, you should have a bachelor’s degree (BBA will help ) in the field from a recognized college and then appear for the entrance exam for admission in MBA. The entrance exams are CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT and some institutional exams .  After completing your education you may  start your  journey as an entrepreneur by following above steps . 

 

Wishing you all the best 

 

Avinaash Deshmukh 

Youth and career Coach