She got married at the age of 20 and dropped out of college to devote her life to taking care of her family. But her passion to be an entrepreneur led her to build an enterprise which is now positively transforming not only her life but the lives of other women around her.
Rather than investing a huge amount of money in a business, Shanthi Suresh, 47, of Ernakulam in Kerala decided to make use of available resources to chase her passion. She began by growing vegetables on the terrace and available land near her home at Koovappady in Ernakulam. To supplement her income, she also started rearing cattle. Her dedication and hard work over the years resulted in the growth of her small venture into a thriving agri-farm with about 25 cows, goats, a poultry farm and a vegetable farm on the terrace of her house and on the three acres of land near her home.
“I was always passionate about running a farming enterprise. So I decided to pursue it by looking at different options with minimum investment. I want to build an ecosystem farming organic vegetables and offering fresh produce promoting good health,” said Shanthi, who is also a classical dancer.
As Shanthi proved her acumen in managing the farm, her husband Suresh Tharamolil, 56, who runs a gas agency, chipped in to support her in expanding her business domain. With the support of her husband, she now runs a beauty parlour, a tailoring unit, and a hotel, providing employment to women.
“Many women are confined to the four walls of their homes because of a lack of opportunities. My aim is to help as many women as possible become financially independent by providing them employment. Being independent is the key for women, and it will give them true strength,” Shanthi told “Open Digest“.
By expanding her enterprise, Shanthi hopes to create more employment opportunities for women.
