How a soap-making venture helped a single mom in Kerala tide over crisis

What started as a small attempt for an alternative income has blossomed into a successful business venture for Sreelakshmi C S, a native of Thrissur in Kerala. Her small organic soap-making venture has helped her become financially independent and a successful entrepreneur.

Sreelakshmi, 31, of Peringottukara began her entrepreneurial journey in 2020 when the salary from her job as a private school teacher became insufficient and Covid-induced crisis made her situation more miserable. As a single mother, financial difficulties made her search for an alternative source of income.

Turning to YouTube, she discovered the art of soap-making and decided to give it a try. She began experimenting with various ingredients and techniques in her kitchen, eventually developing a line of high-quality handmade organic soaps.

Three years have gone by; she is now the proud owner of Everly Organics, a startup that she has built from scratch. Everly Organics produces over 35 varieties of organic beauty and skincare products marketed online by a network of women. Though small, her venture has been able to garner a lot of attention from people for its unique and quality products.

“I struggled a lot to make the soaps initially. The soaps which we see now are the result of several trials and tests. I faced a lot of setbacks. But I was not ready to give up. The positive feedback from my customers motivated me. Finally, I decided to leave my teaching job and focus on my venture full-time,” Sreelakshmi told “Open Digest.”

Currently, Everly Organics has three units in Bangalore, Thrissur, and Kochi. From one Aloe vera soap to now 35 different varieties of organic products, Everly Organics has grown exponentially in the last three years, providing employment opportunities to women, mainly homemakers who couldn’t go out of their homes to work.

“Most educated women are tied up at their homes, unable to go outside to work. I am creating opportunities for such women to work from their homes and earn money,” she said. “As a single parent, I knew the hardships several women face in their life. My aim is to help at least 100 women this year by providing them with a job at Everly Organics,” she said