Crafting Change: "My handcrafted potli bags are not just products, they are proof of my independence."

"My father was a tailor, and though we struggled financially in Sunni, Shimla. I grew up watching fabric transform into something valuable," reflects Reenu. "I dreamed of becoming a teacher, but college was too far and expensive. Decades later, that same tailoring skill I learned as a backup plan became the key to creating my own identity."

Reenu is a home-based artisan and entrepreneur living in Delhi. Growing up in a small town in Shimla, her higher education aspirations were cut short by economic constraints and geographical barriers. Following her marriage, she relocated to Delhi and dedicated herself to managing her household. However, even amidst her domestic responsibilities, she kept her passion alive by stitching in her free time, crafting clothes and utility items from leftover fabric for family and friends. While relatives praised her creative craftsmanship, Reenu viewed it merely as a hobby, unaware of its commercial potential.

Everything changed when she found the bridge between her craft and a real business through the Sankalp Programme, Empower Foundation's initiative for women entrepreneurs. Sankalp helped her look at her stitching through a commercial lens, equipping her with hands-on skills in product design, eco-friendly upcycling, pricing strategies, and customer relations to turn her hobby into a market-ready enterprise.

Under the guidance of the Sankalp programme, Reenu identified a niche market: designing contemporary handcrafted potli bags using upcycled, leftover fabrics. By combining traditional Indian craftsmanship with sustainable waste-reduction practices, she transformed her small creative pursuit into a viable eco-friendly brand.

Beyond business literacy, the programme fostered profound personal growth. "For 16 years after my marriage, I never travelled anywhere without a family member accompanying me," shares Reenu. "Through Sankalp's mentorship, I gained the confidence to make independent decisions. Recently, I travelled completely alone from Delhi to my maternal home in Shimla for the very first time. That journey was my personal diploma in self-reliance."