Business Ideas for Women India
In this edition of the Q&A for working women in India, life coach Jaya Narayan helps a woman constrained by her small town location explore business ideas leveraging the internet and her talent.
Dear All,
My name is Namrata. I did my post-graduation in English and for the last 5 years I have been into teaching forcibly. I used the word “forcibly” because I really do not like teaching. I have realized that I need to change my job. No more teaching. But I am stuck because I am unable to get any idea as what I should do? The place where I reside along with my husband is a very small town, thus very less opportunities for experimenting. I want to start a business. I have thought of starting a play school.
It will be really kind of you to suggest business ideas. What can I do – any business, any field.
Hope you can understand my situation. Thanks in advance
Dear Namrata
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your frustration in engaging in a career that is not driven by choice. As a first step, I would encourage you to read about finding your career strengths before you decide on the immediate next step.
On a parallel note, I am wondering how running a play school would be drastically different from a teaching role. Unless you plan to focus on the operations and someone else would do the teaching.
I do hear ‘loud and clear’ the constraint of staying in a small town.
Here are some business ideas for you to explore –
– At the outset, think about a broad list of activities that you enjoyed doing. Out of these, which could be converted into a fulfilling career option or a business idea? Be it a craft or hobby that you are particularly good at or a creative field that you may be trained in. There are so many examples of women building a strong career foundation – be it music, dance, storytelling, that does not isolate you. Please research on career options that can be managed virtually. Out of the list you make, ask yourself – Is there something that seems particularly exciting or fits your profile?
– There are so many people getting into tourism by setting up a home stay or offering an authentic cultural experience. If your place has such a potential, I would suggest building a concept around it.
If you initiate research, you will find many ideas that can trigger your thought process. I would suggest you work with the mind set of “anything is possible”. Else you will narrow your options based on where you live and the constraints that you know of.
I look forward to hear what opportunity you created based on your talent.
Best Wishes
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