Self-made businesswoman

After covering the daily expenses of her family, Nargis Akter from Uchutia in Manikganj municipality saves around Tk 5 lakh per annum. Such financial circumstances are the envy of many. The family lives well, but it wasn't always that way. From humble beginnings, Nargis has worked hard at cattle rearing and small business to improve her lot.

Nargis married garment worker Ariful Islam in 2009, when she was a student of class eight. Back then, Ariful earned a meagre Tk 3,000 per month and making ends meet for their growing family was all but impossible. They both dreamed of running their own business but lacked the capital to get started.

Nargis joined a non-government organisation (NGO) women's group in 2010 and, after securing a Tk 20,000 loan, established a local grocery store. Arif meanwhile decided to focus on farming their small landholdings, and he was able to lease more. He also contributes to the grocery business, bringing supplies from wholesale markets.

The grocery business allowed Nargis to repay the loan and apply for another, which she did five times, gradually increasing the amount to ultimate reach Tk 1 lakh.

Nargis' husband Ariful Islam brings commodities for their shop from a wholesaler.

Over time, with grocery profits, Nargis was able to purchase another six decimals of land, to a market value of Tk 10 lakh. She also decided to diversify into fattening cattle, through which Nargis was able to realise an additional profit of up to Tk 30,000 each quarter.

“Our economic position is much better nowadays,” Nargis says, beaming. “We profit around Tk 4 lakh per annum from our grocery store and 1 lakh from farming.”

The NGO branch manager Jahedul Islam is hardly surprised by the couple's success. “They are hardworking people,” he says. “Hard work has been the key to their success.”

At present the couple's grocery business has Tk 6 lakh in stock and averages daily sales of Tk 15,000. Her focus now is to buy additional landholdings and, with two cows worth Tk 1.9 lakh at present, to expand her cattle business.