Jamshedpur: For Rebati, entrepreneurship was never something she had imagined for herself. A homemaker from Laal Bhatta in Jamshedpur, she had spent most of her time managing responsibilities at home. Her journey towards entrepreneurship began when she started exploring the possibility of running a business and developing the skills needed to turn an idea into reality.
Today, Rebati runs Saurav & Shubho General Store, a neighbourhood retail outlet that has become a new source of livelihood for her family.
Before starting the store, Rebati underwent entrepreneurship training through the ChangeMaker Academy, an entrepreneurship programme by the NIIT Foundation. The programme helped her develop practical skills in business planning, decision-making, communication and day-to-day business management. The training also helped her understand customer needs and the various aspects involved in running a retail business.
For Rebati, the learning experience was not only about understanding business processes but also about building confidence. Moving from being a homemaker to managing a business required her to make decisions, communicate with customers and suppliers, plan operations and handle the everyday responsibilities of running a retail outlet.
“As a homemaker, I never imagined that I could become an entrepreneur. ChangeMaker Academy gave me the confidence and practical skills to take that first step. Today, I proudly run my own store, creating a livelihood for my family and serving my community,” said Rebati.
The experience of establishing and managing the general store has enabled Rebati to put her training into practice. Her responsibilities now include managing daily operations, interacting with customers, coordinating with suppliers and making decisions related to the running of the business.
Her journey is part of a wider group of participants who have moved from entrepreneurship training to establishing their own businesses through the ChangeMaker Academy. Since its inception, more than 180 aspiring entrepreneurs have enrolled in the programme, with over 50 going on to launch enterprises across sectors including food, education, healthcare, tailoring, beauty and wellness, arts and embroidery, retail and sustainable products.
The programme focuses on practical entrepreneurship skills and combines business training with mentorship, leadership development and life skills. Participants are introduced to areas such as developing business models, understanding customer needs, pricing, sourcing, business planning and managing day-to-day operations.
Rebati’s journey illustrates how entrepreneurship can provide a pathway to livelihood creation for individuals who may not have previously considered themselves business owners. With practical skills, mentorship and the confidence to make independent decisions, she has taken the step from homemaker to entrepreneur and established a business serving her local community.
