PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS IN KERALA: WITH SPECIAL

REFERENCE TO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT

PROJECT REPORT
submitted to University of Kerala, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the award of the Degree of Integrated B.Com LL.B Course

SUBMITTED BY

FOUSIYA.R 47118551025
JYOTHSNA.K 47118551032
K.S. ABHIRAMI 47118551033
SANJANA.P. S 47118551049
VISMAYA.M 47118551059

Under the Guidance of

Dr. M. RAVEENDRAN
Head of Department of commerce

Exam Code: 47113806

Course Code: 471

KERALA LAW ACADEMY LAW COLLEGE

PEROORKADA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Project Report entitled “PROBLEMS AND

PROSPECTS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KERALA: WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT” is a bonafide record
of work done by FOUSIYA.R 47118551025, JYOTHSNA.K 47118551032, K.S.
ABHIRAMI 47118551033, SANJANA.P. S 47118551049, VISMAYA.M
47118551059), in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Five Year
(Integrated) B.Com. LLB Degree of the University of Kerala.

Place : Thiruvananthapuram Dr. G.S. SURESH

Date : Guide Supervisor
Department of Commerce
Kerala Law Academy Law College
Peroorkada
Thiruvananthpaurm

Counter signed by

Dr. M. RAVEENDRAN
Head of Department of Commerce
Kerala Law Academy Law College
Peroorkada
Thiruvananthpaurm
 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the project “PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KERALA: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE
TO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT” which have carried out under the
guidance of Dr. G.S. SURESH, Department of Commerce, Kerala Law Academy
Law College. It is bonafide work and submitted to University of Kerala in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Five Year Integrated B.Com LL.B.

FOUSIYA.R
47118551025

JYOTHSNA.K
47118551032

K.S. ABHIRAMI
47118551033

SANJANA.P.S
47118551049

VISMAYA.M
47118551059
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

At the outset, words are inadequate to express our whole hearted thankfulness to
God Almighty, the source of all wisdom and power and also for the support and mercy
drop of blessings upon me to complete my project work with the stipulated point of time.

We acknowledge my sincere thanks to DR. HAREENDRAN, Principal, Kerala

Law Academy Law College, Trivandrum, for the moral support and supervision given to
me throughout my work

We proudly utilize this opportunity to express our thanks and sincere gratitude to
our esteemed guide Dr. G.S. SURESH, for his valuable guidance and encouragement,
which enabled us to bring out the project.

We are extremely grateful to Dr. M. RAVEENDRAN, Head of the Department of

Commerce, and all other faculties of Department of Commerce, Kerala Law Academy Law
College, Trivandrum, for the valuable help and support for the project work.
We convey our hearty thanks to our Parents and Friends for their external source of
encouragement and support for complete the project in time.

Place: Trivandrum Fousiya.R

Date: Jyothsna.k

K.S.Abhirami

Sanjana.P.S

Vismaya.M
 CONTENTS

CHAPTERS DESCRIPTION PAGE

NO

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1-6

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 7-10

CHAPTER 3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 11-38

CHAPTER 3 DATA ANALYSIS AND 39-65

INTERPRETATION

CHAPTER 4 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, 66-70

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

APPENDIX 71-74

BIBLIOGRAPHY 75
 LIST OF TABLES
Table Description Page
No No
3.1 Age wise analysis of the respondents 40

3.2 Educational qualification of the respondents 41

3.3 Distribution of sample respondents according to marital status 42

3.4 Distribution of sample respondents according to the form of business 43

3.5 Distribution of sample respondents according to the nature of 44

business
3.6 Distribution of sample respondents on the basis of their capital 45
investment
3.7 Table showing number of employees in the unit 46

3.8 Distribution of sample respondents according to their monthly 47

income
3.9 Distribution of sample respondents according to their motive for 48
starting business
3.10 Satisfaction level of respondents on the basis of support from their 49
family
3.11 Satisfaction level of respondents on the basis of support from the 50
society
3.12 Table showing satisfaction rate regarding the working of employees 51

3.13 Distribution of sample respondents facing gender discrimination 52

3.14 Table showing problems faced by women entrepreneurs 53

3.15 Table showing financial problems faced by women entrepreneurs 54

3.16 Table showing marketing problems faced by women entrepreneurs 55

3.17 Table showing personal problems faced by women entrepreneurs 56

3.18 Table showing problems connected with govt. assistance 57

3.19 Table showing mode of loan repayment 58

3.20 Table showing annual savings 59

3.21 Satisfaction level of respondents regarding rate of success 60

3.22 Satisfaction level of respondents based on special schemes provided 61

by govt.
3.23 Opinion of respondents regarding the role of women entrepreneurs in 62
nation building
3.24 Opinion of respondents about making women entrepreneurs 63

3.25 Table showing stress while discharging dual duties 64

3.26 Opinion of respondents regarding EDPs 65

LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE
NO: NO:
3.1 Age wise analysis of the respondents 40

3.2 Educational qualification 41

3.3 Marital status 42

3.4 Form of business 43

3.5 Nature of business 44

3.6 Capital investment 45

3.7 Number of employees 46
3.8 Monthly income 47

3.9 Motive for starting business 48

3.10 Support from their family 49

3.11 Support from society 50

3.12 Working of employees 51

3.13 General discrimination 52

3.14 Problems faced by women entrepreneurs 53

3.15 Financial problems 54

3.16 Marketing problems 55

3.17 Personal problems 56

3.18 Problems connected with govt. assistance 57

3.19 Mode of loan repayment 58

3.20 Annual savings 59

3.21 Satisfaction level 60

3.22 Special scheme 61

3.23 Role of women entrepreneurs in nation building 62

3.24 Making of women entrepreneurs 63

3.25 Stress while discharging dual duties 64

3.26 Entrepreneurship Development Programmes 65

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

The educated women do not want to limit their lives in the four walls of the house.
They Demand Equal respect from their partners. However Indian women have to go a long
way to achieve equal rights and position because traditions are deep rooted in Indian
society where the sociological set up has been a male dominated one. Women are
considered as weaker sex and always made to depend on men folk in their family and
outside, throughout their life. The Indian true made them only subordinates and executors
of the decision made by other male members, in the basic family structure. Despite all the
social hurdles, India is brimming with the success stories of women. They stand tall from
the rest of the crowd and are applauded for their achievements in their respective field. The
transformation of social fabrics of the Indian society, in terms of increased educational
status of women and varied aspiration for better living necessitated a change in the life
style of Indian women. She has completed with man and successfully stood up with him in
every walk of life and business is no exception for this. These women leaders are assertive,
persuasive and willing to take risks. They managed to survive and succeed in this cut throat
competition with their hard work, diligence and perseverance. Ability to learn quickly from
her abilities, her persuasiveness, open style of problems solving, willingness to talk risks
and chances, ability to motivate people, knowing how to win and loose gracefully are the
strength of the women entrepreneurs

Kerala is the only state in India where women outnumber men not only in
population but also in unemployment among educated. It shows the literacy level of
women folk in state. Women are increasingly becoming conscious of their existence, their
right and work situations. In respect of wage structure employment profession service and
technical scenarios women got equality with men. Women in Kerala have now marked
their presence in every walk of life such as freedom fight, literature, politics, governance,
social work, professions, and fine art and so on. However, there is no reliable data
regarding the role of women in entrepreneurial scenario of the state. It was in 1977-78, a
census of small-scale industries was made in this state as per the guideline of the Central
Government. Even in that census not specific arrangement had been made to record the
unit which are organised and run by women. But from 1970 onwards effort is made in

2
systematic manner by government and private agencies to promote entrepreneurial
development among women.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Indian women have been at the receiving end of the criticism but much to the
dismay of their sceptics, they have mostly appeared triumphant as the dust criticism
settled. The industry has much to gain and literally nothing to lose with women the
business. The merits are in numerable.

• New opportunities are created.

• More employment opportunities are generated.

• Education and awareness become common.

• Future becomes bright for new generation.

• Women gain a better understanding of managing family and business concurrently.

• Women achieve a sense of self-realization and self-fulfilment.

• Women gain a better ability to take risks and business decisions.

• Women become more confident.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

In the modern world the women have been able to overcome the hurdle of society’s
perception of considering them to the confident four walls of the house or viewing them as
a weak entrepreneurs caught up in limited business area such as paper making, pickle
preparation food items, painting, handicraft etc. They have been able for show a
remarkable shift from this small entrepreneur at ventures to modern technology-based
business venture such as: -

Company services and information discrimination.

• Quality testing quality control laboratories.

• Sub-assemble of electronic product.

• Nutrition clubs in schools and office.

3
• Poster and indoor plant library.

• Culture centres.

• Mini laundry, community eating centres.

• Community kitchens.

• Beauty parlours.

• Photo copying, typing centres.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Entrepreneurship is one of the important factors of industrialization in the absence
entrepreneurship, industrialization cannot take place. Entrepreneurs are playing an
important role in the economic development of underdevelopment country. Women’s skills
and knowledge, talent and abilities in business and a compelling desire of wanting to do
something positive are some of the reasons for the women entrepreneurs to organize
industries. According to World Bank, investing more in business of women rather in men
leads to break the inequalities and reduce the poverty. Entrepreneurship plays an important
role in developing society of a fast-developing country like India. Nowadays it has been
realized that enterprising women have cost entrepreneurial talent which could be harnessed
so as to convert them from the position of ‘job seekers’ to ‘job givers. The government has
realized the important of women entrepreneurship. As a result, it offers a variety of
programmes for women entrepreneurs. The state of Kerala is the industrially developing
area in which some of the entrepreneurs exceed in small scale industry. Even though the
government organize women by various associations, they are not ready to undertake the
business. As compared to men, women are less motivated to start a business unit due to
some unwanted fears, lack of motivation and kind of activities. Thus, the study aims at
undertaking the entrepreneurial development among women highlighting their
motivational forces and relationship between socio-Economic background of women
entrepreneurs, motivational factors and their existing entrepreneurial traits.

Although women constitute half of the total population in Kerala, only minority of
them have the active participation in the entrepreneurial sector. Life of women
entrepreneurs having a small, medium and large industry is not a bed of roses. She singles
handily faces a plethora of endless problems. From the movement a women entrepreneur

4
conceives the idea to start her own unit; she has to work hard against heavy odds. Though
the government provides support and guidance to women entrepreneurs in starting and
managing enterprises, they are not coming to forefront. Women entrepreneurs in Kerala are
not fully aware of the various special schemes provided by the government for supporting
them. This study deals with the problems faced by women entrepreneurs in the course of
starting and managing their respective enterprises in Trivandrum district.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The present studies have been carried out with the following objectives they are as
follows: -

a) To analyse the motivational factors that influence women to become entrepreneurs.

b) To study the problems faced by women entrepreneurs in the course of starting and
managing enterprise.

c) To know various government scheme for the development of women entrepreneurs.

d) To identify the contribution of women entrepreneurs for nation building.

e) To know the status of women entrepreneurs in Trivandrum district.

METHODOLOGY
The methodology of the study has been discussed under the following heads;- a)
Collection of data

The study is based on both primary and secondary data.

• Primary data
Primary data are collected through pre-designed and well structured, interview
schedule from women entrepreneurs of Trivandrum district.

• Secondary data
Secondary data for present study are collected from various sources like journals,
magazines, book and website.

b) Sampling data

5
• Population
Population consist of ....... registered enterprise which are owned and managed by
women entrepreneurs in Trivandrum district.

• Sample size
The sample size of the study is thirty respondents.

• Sampling technique
The type of sampling technique used is convenient sampling.

• Tools of analysis
Through there are various tools and techniques which are commonly used for
analysis, only percentage analysis is used in this study.

PERIOD OF STUDY
The period of study covers six months during the period of 2021-2022

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

• A detailed study could not be undertaken due to time constraints

• Sample size is limited.

• The study is confined to the area covered under Trivandrum district which comes out
to be the limitations study.

• Some of the respondents refused to open up fully.

6
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

7
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Mallika Das (2001) in her study on women entrepreneurs in India focused on
Kerala. It concluded at the initial problems faced by these women seemed similar to those
faced by women in western countries. Ganesh R and RC Maheshwari (2002) in their study
women entrepreneurs’ problems and prospects identified that self-motivated women
entrepreneurs do not receive any structured entrepreneurial input but they learn the same
through trial and error and highlight the prospectus and the future challenges. Reflection of
the Indian women in the entrepreneurial world-a study V harithikollam and Indira J Parikh
(2005) says about the transformation that occurred the rule of women till the 21st centaury.
Binitha V Thampi (January 2007) in her attempt to understand the association between
women’s work and children’s well-being in a specific social setting. It also tried to explain
the casual relationship of women’s work status on child well-being. It was found that as a
number of activities on the work front increases, the amount of time that mothers spend on
child care decreases. This study showed that maternal employment does not result in child
morbidity out comes; it certainly constrains women in finding alternate care arrangements
as well compelling them to prepare most of the work in the child care regime.

Lal Madhurima and sahaishikha(2008) identified physiographic variables like,

degree of commitment, entrepreneurial challenges and future plan for expansion based on
demographic variables. The study identified business owners, characteristics as
self-perception, self-esteem, entrepreneurial intensity and operational problems for future
plans for growth and expansion. The study suggested that though, there has been
considerable growth in number of women opting to work in family-owned business that
they still have lower status and face more operational challenges in running business.

Dr.Sunil Deshpande and Mrs. Sunitha Sethi, Shodb, Samikshaaur Mulyankan

(October November 2019) in their research paper exhibits encouraging and discouraging
factors in an enterprise to provide solution to the various problems raised by the women
entrepreneur. For the betterment of women entrepreneur emphasis should be on educating
women on strata of population spreading awareness consciousness amongst women to
outshine enterprise field, making them realise their strength and important position in the
society and great contribution they can make or their industry as well as the entire
economy.

8
 Cohoon, Wadha and Mitchell (2010) presented a detailed exploration of men and
women entrepreneur’s motivations, background and experiences. The study identified to
five financial and psychological factors motivating women to become entrepreneurs. These
are desire to build the wealth, the wish to capitalize own business ideas they had the appeal
of start-up culture, a longstanding desire to own their own company and working with
someone else did not appeal them. The study concluded that the women are very much
concerned about protecting the intellectual capital than their counterpart. Mentoring is very
important to women, which provides encouragement and financial support of business
partners, experienced a d well developed professional network

G Palaniappan, CS Ramanigopalan, A Mani (March 2012) in their article analysed

that women have been successful in breaking their barriers within the limits of their home
by entering into worried kinds of professional and services. Skill, knowledge and
adaptability in business are the main reason for women to emerge into business ventures.
This study had also been carried out to analyse the motivational factors and other factors
that influence women to become entrepreneur, the major strength and weakness of women
entrepreneurs and the environmental opportunities and treats which promote the
entrepreneurship, and to offer suggestions to promote women entrepreneurship. This study
concluded that due to lack of training and education they are not able to service in the
market. Finance is also a major problem for women entrepreneur. V Krishnamoorthy and R
Balasubramani April 2014 identified the important women entrepreneurial motivation
factors and its impacts on entrepreneurial success. The study identified ambition, skills and
knowledge, family support, market opportunities independence, government subsidy and
satisfaction are the important entrepreneurial motivational factors. The study also
conducted ambition, knowledge and skill, independence dimensions of entrepreneurial
Motivational has significant impact on entrepreneurial success.

Hendry.ET.AL (2016) review the literature published on gender and

entrepreneurship over a period of 30yrs in 18 journals. They identify methodological
trends in this area and discuss methodological innovations needed for future research. The
find that there is large scale empirical study the primarily focus on comparisons between
male and female entrepreneurs. There is often less information given on industry sector or
the sampling methods employed. They suggest that paucity of feminist critique and future

9
scholars need to engage with cost structural feminist approaches. They suggest that there is
a need to adopt innovative methods like in depth qualitative approaches life histories, case
study or discourage analysis.

10
 CHAPTER 3

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

11
ENTREPRENEUR
An entrepreneur is one who plays a significant role in the economic development of
the country. The word ‘Entrepreneur’ originates from French word ‘Entrepreneur’, which
means to “to undertake”. In a business content, it means to start a business. An
entrepreneur is a person who is able to express and execute the urge, skill, motivation &
innovative ability to establish a business or industry of his own either alone or in
collaboration with his friends. His motive is to earn profit through the production or
distribution of socially beneficial goods or services. Successfully entrepreneur has the
ability to leads a business in a positive direction. An entrepreneur us an initiator, a
challenge and a driver. The entrepreneur might not be the ideator, but he or she is definitely
the one that decides to make that idea a reality. He or she is the one that pushes forward
and inspires a team to follow. The entrepreneur is the one that sits in the driver’s seat, and
has the ability to change direction, accelerate, slow down or even stop venture. The
entrepreneur is the ultimate responsible for the destiny of its venture which can be a
company, a project, or any other endeavour. The entrepreneur is the one that has the
highest stakes at venture, thus the one that needs to be empowered to fully direct the
endeavours.

• He us a person who develops and own his own enterprise.

• He us a moderate risk takers and work under uncertainty for achieving the goal.

• He is innovative.

• He peruses the cleavriant pursuits.

• Reflects strong urge to be Independent persistently tries to do something better.

• Dissatisfied with routine activities.

• Prepared to with stand the hard life.

• Determined but patient.

• Exhibits sense of leadership.

• Also exhibits sense of competitiveness.

• Takes personal responsibility.

• Oriented towards the future.

12
• Tends the persist in the face the adversity.

• Convert a situation into opportunities.

Characteristics of an Entrepreneur
The important characteristics needed for a successful entrepreneur are the
following:

a. Passionate about learning

b. Responsibility

c. Good Communication

d. Innovative skills

e. Self confidence

f. Clear foresight

g. Optimistic

h. Self confidence

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurship plays an imperative role in the growth of any society.
Development of entrepreneurship culture and qualitative business development services
are the major acquirements for industrial growth. Entrepreneurship emerges from an
individual s creative spirit into long-term business Ownership, employment creation,
capital formation and economic security. Entrepreneurial skills are essential for
industrialisation and for alleviation of mass unemployment and poverty. Very often the
term 'entrepreneurship is used synonymously With the term entrepreneur. Though they
essentially a business leader and the function performed by him is entrepreneurship are two
organs of the same body, conceptually they are different. The entrepreneur is essentially a
business.

Entrepreneurship is regarded as the ability to organise a team which is capable to

materialise the skills and innovative urge of the entrepreneur.

13
 Entrepreneurship is a process undertaken by an entrepreneur to augment his
business interests. It Is an exercise involving innovation and creativity that will go towards
establishing his or her enterprise. It is a goal oriented process involving production and
distribution of products or services. It may be undertaken by one person or a group of
persons. One of the qualities of entrepreneurship is the ability to discover an investment
opportunity and to organise an enterprise, thereby contributing to real economic growth. It
involves taking of risks and making the necessary investments under conditions of
uncertainty and innovating, planning and taking decisions so as to increase production in
agriculture, business and industries. In other words, entrepreneurship is the practical ability
to create and build up something new from nothingness

Today, the term 'entrepreneurship has an array of meanings which include

adventurism, risk taking, thrill seeking and innovative skill. Since entrepreneurs play vital
roles in the economic development of a country, entrepreneurship has now become crucial
to the economic stability of developing countries like India where the problem of
unemployment has been pausing a very severe, confronting and complex situation.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIA

Women constitute about half of the total population in India. Therefore, women are
often regarded as the better-half of the society. Tradition warrants women to confine
themselves the four walls of houses, performing house hold activities. But, in modern
societies they have emerged out of the four walls to participate in almost all the activities
which men perform. Norther global evidences substantiate that women have been
performing admiringly well in different spheres of activities like academics, politics,
administration, social work, business and so on. It is also provide that those women who
have started plunging in to industry are running their enterprises successfully. So while
discussing entrepreneurial development, it seems appropriate and essential to study about
the development of women entrepreneurs.

The position of women and their status in society is an index of its civilisation.

Women are to be considered as equal partners in the process of development.

14
 But, because of centuries of exploitation and subjugation, Indian women have
remained at the receiving end. Women in India have been the neglected a lot.

In many developing countries, including India, women have such less access to
education. Jobs income and power than men. Even after five and half decades of planned
development Indian women have not achieved expected success in the main stream of life.
Our country will be unable to have a competitive edge over others until and unless the
status and role of women is improved.

The socio-economic development of a country cannot be fully realised as long as

its women are confined to subordinate position and their talents are unexplored. Women
form a large component of the human resources of any country. "When, women move
forward, the family moves, the Village moves". These words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
are often repeated because it is accepted facts that only when the women are in the main
stream of progress can any economic and social development be meaningful. Women are
increasingly being lauded as power houses of emotional intelligence, flexibility,
dedication, lateral thinking, collaboration, attentiveness and objectivity.

Women entrepreneur is regarded as a person who accepts a challenging role to

quench her personality needs and to become economically independent by making suitable
adjustments in both family and social life. They are constantly one the look-out for new
and innovative ways which lead to strong economic participation.

Women have the potential and determination to setup, uphold and supervise their
own enterprises in a very systematic manner. If appropriate support and encouragement
from the society, family and government are provided, these women entrepreneurs can be
made a part of the mainstream of national economy and they can contribute to the
economic progress of India.

In a nutshell, women entrepreneurs are those women who think of a business

enterprise, initiate 1st organize and combine the factors of production, operate the
enterprise and undertake risks and handle economic uncertainty involved in running a
business enterprise.

15
Concept of Women Entrepreneurship
Women entrepreneurship is the process where women organise all the factors of
production, undertake risks, and provide employment to others. A woman entrepreneur is
one who starts business and manages it independently and tactfully, takes all the risks,
faces the challenges boldly with an iron will to succeed. Women entrepreneurship is an
economic activity of those women who think of a business enterprise, initiate it, organise
and combine the factors of production, operate the enterprise and undertake risks and
handle economic uncertainty involved in running a business enterprise.

Evolution
Although women form a very large proportion of the self-employed group, their
work is often not recognised as "work". The prevailing "household strategy catalyses the
devaluation of women's productive activities as secondary and subordinate to men's Work.
Women's contributions very according to the structure, needs, customs and attitudes of
society. Women entered entrepreneurial activities because of poor economic conditions,
high unemployment rates and divorce catapult. In Babylonia, about 200 B.C., women were
permitted to engage in business and to work as series.

By 14th century, in England and France, women were frequently accepted.

Dressmaking and lace making guilds were competed more with men for some jobs, but
were concentrated primarily in textile mills and clothing factories. In 1950, women made
up nearly 25 per cent of both industrial and service sectors of the developing countries. In
1980, it increased to 28 per cent and 31 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, in 1950, 53 per
cent of females and 65 per cent of males of industrialised Countries were in
non-agricultural sectors. AS a result of the economic crisis of the 1980s and the
commercialisation and modernisation of the economy, women lost employment in
agriculture and industries. This pushed women in urban areas to find out a suitable solution
for generating incomes, which resulted in the emergence of self-employment, largely in
micro- businesses in the informal sector.

In India, women' s participation in economic activity is common from time

immemorial. The role of women has gone through several transitions. It took centuries for
women's roles to move in the present direction. There are some regions where women live
in a barbarian era, chained and shackled to the social taboos, restrictions and
16
lakshmanarekhas of others who frame a code. At the same time there are other regions
where women fight for and win freedom and opportunity to play their roles in a new
context with new occupations and a new way of life. As regards the ancient industries of
India, family was the unit of production where women played an important role in the
production process. Even in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa culture, women shared a
responsible position with men and helped in spinning and clay modelling and other simple
arts and crafts.

Women played a very pivotal role in creating household utility requirements and
agricultural activities and weaving during the Vedic Period. In the traditional economy,
they played vital roles in agriculture industry and services. They were the makers of
intoxicant soma-juice, a skilful task. In the 18th century, women had a significant role in
economy and a definite status in the social structure. Women's informal trading activities in
the international distribution system have been well documented since early 1950s. Since
1970 systematic efforts have been made by the Government to promote selfemployment
among women. Entrepreneurship in India became popular in the late 1970s and now more
and more women are emerging as entrepreneurs in all kinds of economic activities.

According to the 1971 Census, the total female working population is about 13.8
per cent of the total work force. It was only from Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards
that women's development was recognised as an identified sector. 1980s provided the real
breakthrough for women in many fields and many frontiers. During the 1990s, women
were capable, competent, confident and assertive and had a clear idea about the ventures to
be undertaken and they succeeded in them. Many women entered large-scale enterprises of
their parents or husbands and proved their competence and capabilities. Women acquired
high self-esteem and the capability of solving the problems independently through
economic independence. In the 21st century women are becoming experts in all the fields.
With the growing awareness about business and the spread of education, they have entered
new areas such as engineering, electronics and energy and acquired expertise in these
fields. Many of the new industries are headed and guided by women. However, in India a
large number of highly educated women do not seek employment.

17
 Marriage and family have always been the first choice for most Indian women.
Female role prescriptions have created mind blocks. Men are more likely to engage in
entrepreneurial activities.

Importance of Women Entrepreneurs

Women perform an important role in building the real backbone of a nation's
economy. There is considerable entrepreneurial talent among women. Many women's
domestic skills such as people and time management and household budgeting are directly
transferable in the business context. Women have the ability to balance different tasks and
priorities. They have the potential and the will to establish and manage enterprises of their
own. These qualities and strengths of women are to be tapped for productive channels. But
simultaneous creation and development of small business among women is a difficult task.

In the closing years of the 21st century, multi- skilled, productive and innovative
women entrepreneurs are inextricable for achieving sustained economic growth.
Globalisation of industrial production and economic interdependence has become the
torch-bearers for all international cooperation's. In the dynamic world which is
experiencing the effects of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation, women
entrepreneurs are likely to become an even more important part of the global quest for
sustained economic growth and social development. The economic status of woman is now
accepted as an indication of the society's stage of development. Women (especially rural
women) are vital development agents who can play a significant role in the economic
development of a nation, but they should have an equal access to productive resources,
opportunities and public services. It has also been realised in the last few years that the
widespread poverty and stunted economic growth can be overcome only by gainful and
sustainable economic participation of women. Women in Enterprise Building has emerged
as an agenda for many policy makers, researchers, and trainers and as well as for
associations and organisations involved in women development. If women acquire skills,
they can carve a niche for themselves in the outside world too. This is the reason why
women entrepreneurship development has become a subject of great concern and serious
discussion in recent times.

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Leadership Qualities of Women Entrepreneurs

The qualities apparently found in women entrepreneurs are listed here under:

a) Willingness to face challenges

b) Optimism

c) Acquisition of new knowledge

d) Preparedness to work hard

e) Capacity to withstand uncertainty

f) Patience

g) Administrative capacity

h) Intelligence

Functions of Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneur performs all the functions an entrepreneur performs while
establishing an enterprise. All these functions can be classified into following categories.

• Exploration

• Innovation

• Co-ordination, administration and control

• Supervision and leadership

• Risk taking

• Management

• Organization building

• Creating New Venture

General Problems faced by Women Entrepreneurs

Empowering women is a challenge. Micro enterprises can help to meet these
challenges. Micro-enterprises not only enhance national productivity, generate employment
but also help to develop economic independence, personal and social capabilities among

19
women. Women entrepreneurship in India represents a group of women who have broken
away from the beaten track and are exploring new vistas of economic participation.
Women in India entered business due to pull and push factors. Their task has been full of
challenges. In spite of the family opposition, many women have proved themselves
independent and successful entrepreneurs. The emergence of women entrepreneurs and
women-owned firms and their significant contributions to the economy are Visible in India
and these businesses are ready for continued growth in the future. Nowadays women are
well-educated with technical and professional qualifications. Many of them have medical,
management and similar degrees and diplomas. Many entered their family business as
equal partners. Women set up their own clinics or nursing homes, small boutiques, small
manufacturing enterprises and entered garment exports. They have their own personal
choices and the courage to undertake new ventures. However, many have to face family
antipathy and do not get adequate support from their family.

1. Access to finance
Finance is a critical resource for venture creation. It is very important that women
entrepreneurs have adequate knowledge and information of the various financial
institutions. It provides financial incentives and many other help for the women
entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs has limited knowledge about hidden costs and
anticipate appropriate cash requirement. Most of the time they have to depend on their own
saving because banks and government funding agencies are believed to be restrictive and
unfriendly to women so they place high premium on security of principal and interest
amount. Normally banks are blamed for not financing women.

2. Access to markets
The ability to tap into new markets requires expertise, knowledge and contacts.
Women often lack access to training and experience in how to participate in the market
place, therefore unable to market goods and services strategically. In addition, they have
often not been exposed to the international market, and therefore lack knowledge about
what is internationally acceptable. The high cost of developing new business contacts and
relationships in a new country or market is a big obstacle in particular women-owned
business. Women may also fear or face prejudice or sexual harassment, and may be
restricted in their ability to travel to make contacts.

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3. Access to training
Women have limited access to vocational and technical training. In fact, women
have least chance for education when compared to men in both technical and vocational
skills. Women have to face problems in gender disparity and discrimination. To eliminate
gender discrimination and we can improve the building capacity of women by providing
them with equal opportunities. Gaining relevant skills and knowledge can also be more
difficult for women since they frequently have double work burden and childcare
responsibilities, thus making them less able than men to attend formal and informal
trainings.

4. Access to networks
Most of the small-scale women entrepreneurs will not be the part of the
professional organisations that's why they often find difficult to access information. Most
existing networks are male dominated and sometimes not particularly welcoming to
women but prefer to be exclusive. Even when a woman does venture into these networks,
her task is often difficult because most network activities take place after regular working
hours. There are hardly any women-only or women-majority networks where a woman
could enter, gain confidence and move further. Lack of networks also deprives women of
awareness and exposure to good role models. Few women are invited to join trade
missions or delegations, due to the combined invisibility of women-dominated sectors or
subsectors and of women as individuals within any given sector.

5. Access to policymakers.
Most women have little access to policymakers or representation on policymaking
bodies. Large companies and men can more easily influence policy and have access to
policymakers, who are seen more as their peers. Women tend not to belong to, and even
less reach leadership positions in, mainstream business organizations, limiting their input
into policymaking through lobbying, Women's lack of access to information also limits
their knowledgeable input into policymaking.

6. Operational
Women entrepreneur in India not only struggle at the time of establishment of
enterprises but at operation stage also, they have lots to overcome with different functional
difficulties. Usually, women faced two-fold operational problems. One she has to
21
overcome with problems of production process like, scarcity of raw material, lack of
technical skills, lack of utilities and infrastructure facility.

7. Management Problem
It is normally believed that women have low managerial skill. But in fact women
are stronger in more logic based skills though they are weaker in selfpromotion and
handling frustration. The increasing number of female students and their excellent
performance in management education is a proof to the fact. They don't lack managerial
skills but they have less promotional stability which they need to improve upon it.

8. Mobility Constraints
Women in India have got restricted mobility, our society is a conservative society,
and the career of women was limited to four walls of kitchen. Though women faced lots of
problems being mobile in entrepreneurial activity, the mobility problem has been solved to
certain extent by the expansion of education awareness to all.

9. Dual Responsibility
The most exploited individual of the day are the working women, as they have to
perform dual responsibility, one at work and another as family as mother of wife. The level
of women exploitation on family responsibility ground depends on her social dependence.

10. Risk-Bearing Ability

One pre-requisites of the entrepreneurial success is risk taking. It is normally
believe that women being feminist gender have low risk taking ability. They are being
suppressed by the protected environment and are not allowed most of the time to take any
type of risk even if she is willing or she has the ability to bear. The society feels that
women do not have risk.

11. Unawareness of the Supports and Incentives

India being a developing country has made efforts at both central as well as state
level to solve this problem by way of introducing policy measures and promoting NGO's.
The government of India in its annuals often announces special growth and provision to
assist self-employment in women. But it has not worked out effectively and very few
women entrepreneurs are able to avail them. Despite the efforts the problem still exists as

22
most of the women entrepreneurs in the region have neither approach nor awareness about
these policies due to low education level. Women engage in this venue are unhappy with
support system due to harassment from the officials and high corruption. There is a strong
need for attitudinal change because policies, programmes and seminars alone cannot
change the women status.

12. Traditional views on the role of women in the society

The often-prevailing attitude that the women's place is at home and that her first
priority is to look after the home and family constrain many married women from
venturing into entrepreneurship. Even for the women who are interested, the fact that
marriage often results in geographical displacement, makes serious entrepreneurship the
last option.

13. Statistical invisibility

Most countries do not collect statistics on the sex composition of business owners
or operators Indeed, statisticians would argue that such statistics are methodologically
problematic because many businesses have multiple owners and operators, some of whom
might be men and some Women. However, in the absence of some kind of statistical base,
policymakers, bankers and others tend to assume that all businesses are owned and
operated by men. Such differences suggest different needs, and show that in order to make
good policy it is essential to make women's businesses visible in terms of numbers, their
share of businesses and distinct characteristic.

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIA

The following institutions are organised and established for providing support to
women entrepreneurs in India.

• National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW):It is an autonomous body set up for
facilitating leadership training and creating a national database in the field of
women's development.

• Women’s India Trust (WIT): WIT is a charitable organisation established in 1968 to

develop skills of women and to earn a regular income by providing training and

23
 employment opportunities to the needy and unskilled women of all communities in
and around Mumbai

• Women Development Corporation (WDC): WDCs were set up in 1986 to create

sustained income generating activities for women to provide better employment
avenues for women so as to make them economically independent and self- reliant.

• Development of Women and Children in Urban Area (DWCUA): DWCUA was

introduced in 1997 to organise the urban poor among women in socioeconomic
self-employment activity groups with the dual objective of providing
self-employment opportunities and social strength to them.

• Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE):AWAKE was

constituted by a team of women entrepreneurs in Bangalore with a view to helping
other women in different ways -to prepare project report, to secure finance, to choose
and use a product, to deal with bureaucratic hassles, to tackle labour problems, etc.

• Working Women 's Forum (WWF):WWF was founded in Chennai for the
development of poor working women to rescue petty traders firm the clutches of
middlemen and to make them confident entrepreneurs in their own right. The
beneficiaries are fisher women, lace makers, bidi making women, landless women,
labourers and agarbathi workers.

• Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Small Scale Industries (AWESSI): It was

founded in Ambattur in Chennai in 1984 to promote, protect and encourage women
entrepreneurs and their interests in South India to seek work and co-operate with the
Central and State Government services and other Government agencies and to
promote measures for the furtherance and protection of small-scale industries.

• Women's Occupational Training Directorate: It organises regular skill training

courses at basic, advanced and post advanced levels. There are 10 Regional
Vocational Training. Institutes (RVTIs) in different parts of the country, besides a
National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) at NOIDA.

24
• Aid The Weaker Trust (ATWT): ATWT was constituted in Bangalore by a group of
activists to impart training to women inprinting. It is the only one in Asia. Its benefits
are available to Women all over Karnataka. It provides economic assistance and
equips girls with expertise in various aspects of printing and building up self-
confidence.

• Self- Employed Women's Association (SEWA): SEWA is a trade union registered in

1972. It is an organisation of poor self- employed women workers. SEWA's main
goals are to organise women workers to obtain full employment and self- reliance.

• Women Entrepreneurship of Maharashtra (WIMA): It was set up in 1985 with its

head office in Pune to provide a forum for members and to help them sell their
products. It also provides training to its members. It has established industrial estates
in New Mumbai and Hadapsar.

• Self- Help Group (SHG): An association of women, constituted mainly for the
purpose of uplifting the women belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL)
categories to the Above Poverty Line (APL) category. The major activities of the
group are income generation programmes, informal banking. credit, unions, health,
nutritional programmes, etc.

• The National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW): An autonomous body set up to
orient and sensitise policy planners towards women's issues, facilitating leadership
training and creating a national data base in the field of women's development.

• Women Development Cells (WDC): In order to streamline gender development in

banking and to have focused attention on coverage of women by banks, NABARD
has been supporting setting up of Women Development Cells (WDCs) in Regional
Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks.

Financial Institutions Supporting Indian Women Entrepreneurs

For the past several years, financial institutions have been playing a pivotal role in
giving financial assistance and consultancy services to women entrepreneurs. These
institutions include:

25
i) National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC),

ii) All-India Development Banks (AIDBs), viz. IDBI, IFCI, ICICI, IIBI, IDFC and
SIDBI,

iii) Specialised Financial Institutions (SFIs), viz. Exim Bank and NABARD iv)
Investment Institutions, viz. LIC, GIC, NIC, NIA, OIC, UII and UTI,

iv) Regional/ State-Level Institutions, viz. NEDFI, SIDCs and SFCs, vi) Commercial
Banks, vii) Co-operative Banks, etc.

Organisational Support for Women Entrepreneurs in India

The growth and development of women entrepreneurs have accelerated because
entrepreneurial development is not possible without active participation of women. So, a
suitable environment been created for growth of women entrepreneurs. Because of the
importance of women entrepreneurs, a number of institutions have emerged for growth of
women entrepreneurs. The followings are some of associations or institutions which have
played pivotal role for growth and development of women entrepreneurs: as

1. SIDBI:- SIDBI stands for Small Industries Development Bank of India. It is a

national level institution which extends facilities for growth of small scale industries.
This organization has introduced two special schemes for small scale industries by
women. These are:

• MAHILA UDYAM NIDHI

• MAHILA VIKASH NIDHI

These organizations provide financial assistance to women to start entrepreneurial

work in the field of spinning, weaving, knitting, embroidery, block printing etc

2. SIDO: - SIDO stands for Small Industries Development Organization. The primary
objective of this organization is to conduct various programmes including
Entrepreneurship Development programme for women. This organization has
introduced various development programmes in the areas of TV repairing, leather
goods, screen printing and preparation of circuit boards.

26
3. CWEI: -It stands for consortium of women entrepreneurs of India. It is a voluntary
organization consisting of NGOs. SHGs various voluntary organizations and
individual business enterprises. It was formed in the year 2001 with the basis
objective of providing technological up gradation facilities to women entrepreneurs.
Besides extending technological up gradation facilities, it facilitates in the sphere of
marketing and export support.

4. WIT: -WIT denotes Women India Trust. The promoter called Kamila Tyabji has
taken initiative for establishment of this trust in 1968. The sole objective of this trust
is to help women entrepreneurs. With the establishment of Kamila Trust in U.K., it
has facilitated its members to market their product in London. It has also extended
export support to the countries like Australia, Europe and Germany.

5. SEWA: -SEWA stands for Self Employed Women Association. It is a trade union of
women which was registered under Trade Union Act, in 1972. The primary objective
of this organization is to empower women entrepreneurs in rural sector. Most of
members of this organization are originated from unorganized sector. At present
SEWA has shifted its operations from rural areas or level to global level and receive
substantial grant from international organizations like Ford Foundation and UNICEF.

6. SHG: -SHGs denote Self Help Groups. It is regarded as an association consisting of

small group of self-employed women entrepreneurs. The women entrepreneurs may
be either from rural or urban areas. The primary objective of SHG is to take care as
welfare of its associated members. It provides financial assistance as well fare of its
members through financial institutions and non-government organizations.

7. FIWE: -FIWE STANDS FOR Federation of India Women Entrepreneurs. It came

into existence in the year 1993 on the outcome of resolution in 7th International
conference of women entrepreneurs. It has helped women entrepreneurs in
diversified activities through interaction with various women organizations and
associations.

8. NABARD:-NABARD stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural

Development. It is an autonomous organization. The primary objective of this

27
 autonomous organisation is to provide liberal credit facilities to women
entrepreneurs. The followings are some of essential characteristics of NABARD on
liberal credit to women entrepreneurs.

• It launched the project in 12992 to provide finance to SHG.

• It provides facilities on resources and training in NGO Formation

• It arranges training to bank official on formation of SHG.

• It provides refinance to bank against lending to SHG.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KERALA.

Kerala is the only state in India where women outnumber men (with a sex ratio of
1036) not only, in population but also in unemployment among educated. It shows the
literacy level of women folk in the state. In respect of wage structure, employment,
professions, service and technical scenarios women got equality with men. Women in
Kerala have marked their presence in every walk of life such as Freedom fight, literature,
politics, governance, social work, professions, and fine art and so on. However, there is no
reliable data regarding the role of women in the entrepreneurial scenario of the state. In
1977-78 a census of small-scale industries made as per the guidelines of the Central
Government. But it failed to record the units organized and run by women. Since 1970s
efforts were made in a systematic manner by government and private agencies to promote
self-employment among women. Kerala that has been placed in the first for highest degree
of literacy among women in India is promoting women entrepreneurship with a spirit of
dedication.

The Kerala state government has set up 'Centre for Management Development'
(CMD) as a Lead agency to coordinate the efforts for entrepreneurship development in the
state. Vigorous attempts were made by the State to promote women entrepreneurship by
providing concessions and incentives to them through special programmes. Historically,
Kerala has been quite different from the rest of the country, as far as the status Women is
concerned. Kerala women enjoy a higher status due to progressive social movements and
proper State action. In Kerala, education played a vital role in enhancing the status of
women.

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 The achievements of Kerala in the case of social development are ahead not only of
all other States in India, but also most other developing countries. Over the span of three
decades, Kerala has experienced a big rise in the number of women taking up
entrepreneurial roles. Mostly, this rise is in small scale sector. Various training and
financing programs have been initiated by the government of Kerala easing the way for
business opportunities and capital for Keralite women. The most Notable program to
promote women entrepreneurs in Kerala was WIP (Women Industries Programme). Other
programs include CMS, DICs, Kelton, SISI and SIDO. The government also provided
assistance in financing through Bank of India, State bank of India, KVIB, Kerala Financing
Corporation and SIDCO Kerala women are educated, talented and innovative.

Unfortunately, Women of Kerala are low in business as compared to men. To

resolve the issues, Indian and Kerala government has taken a number of initiatives to
encourage innovativeness among women and bring them in entrepreneurial arena. Their
efforts have met with success and women have increased in entrepreneurial sector. Bathe
percentage of women in entrepreneurial segment is still subpar. Women in Kerala, in large
numbers, are skilled in traditional and self-acquired crafts like embroidery, toys and doll
making, mat weaving and production of fancy-cum-utility articles with cane, bamboo, coir,
etc. Most of the units started by women utilise raw materials which are locally available.
Now women entrepreneurs in Kerala are entering in the field of producing sophisticated
electronic items like inverters, televisions, stabilisers, etc. Technical and managerial
personnel are hired by women entrepreneurs as most of them do not have the requisite
industrial know-how, though they are highly educated. In business field the entry of
women is relatively a new phenomenon. The enterprises set up by them are mostly in small
scale sector.

The state of Kerala, where the literacy among women is highest in India, provides a
good example of entrepreneurship among women. Under women's industries programme,
358 actors by 1981. Out of this, 216 units were registered as proprietary concerns, 80 as
women's industrial co-operatives, 29 as partnership firms, 28 as charitable institutions and
5units were set up in small scale as joint stock companies.

The Government of Kerala assists women entrepreneurs, through different agencies

such as KTCO, SISI and DIC, in preparing project reports, meeting the cost of machinery,
29
building, training and hiring of managerial personnel. In certain cases 100% cost of
technical expert is met by the state for a period of one year. Industrial enterprises promoted
by women enjoy 6 years exemption from the payment of sales tax. The problems, which
women entrepreneurs are facing in starting a new venture, are arrangement of the initial
finance, marketing the products, and complying with various rules and regulations, etc.
During 1994-95 about 3619 new SSI units have been promoted by women entrepreneurs.
The largest number of new units were registered in Ernakulum district (1915 units),
followed by Trivandrum (1758 units), while Idukki and Wayanad accounted for the lowest
number of units. The number of units in the hands of women entrepreneurs was 18,361
units during 1997. In 1997 the largest number of women entrepreneurs was in Trivandrum
and the lower number in Kasaragod district. In addition to this, there was a lot of
unregistered industrial units promoted by women entrepreneurs in Kerala. During 2004-05
the largest number of women SSI units were registered in Ernakulum district followed by
Thiruvananthapuram. Kasaragod accounted for the lowest number of women enterprises.
Most of the units started by women entrepreneurs use local raw materials and they do not
reach out to buy rawmaterials from other states due to their low mobility. Women
entrepreneurs in Kerala are increasing in number with respect to both registered and
unregistered small-scale sector.

Reasons for the slow growth of women entrepreneurship in Kerala

Inspite of the initiatives taken by the government, the growth of women
entrepreneurship is very slow in the state. The main reasons for this slow progress are the
following.

• Shortage of capital

• Lack of technical know-how

• Scarcity of raw materials

• Inadequate infrastructure facilities

• Lack of security

• Unfavourable family background

• Dual role of women • Lack of business education

30
 • Limited mobility:

• Male dominated society

• Exploitation by middlemen

• Low risk bearing ability

• Severe competition

• Lakh of training

• Lack of drive for achievement

SUCCESSFUL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KERALA

Entrepreneurship is gender-free. Hence, most of the qualities of successful
businesswoman remain same as that of a successful businessman. However, women face
additional challenges and therefore possess bon us characteristics.

• Have a strive for self-realization and self-sufficiency.

• Are more objective-oriented.

• Have support from their families to a certain extent.

• Are willing to take risk.

• Are good marketers.

• Are ready to take initiatives.

• Are ready to spend more time to uplift the business.

• Have low neuroticism, i.e. they are less anxious even during duress

1) Sheela Kochouseph Chittilapally:-

Twenty years ago Sheela was just a housewife while her husband Kochouseph
Chittilapally managed a successful company V-Guard, an electrical appliances
manufacturer based in Kerala. Today, Sheela in her early 60s is one of the most successful
woman entrepreneurs in Kerala with a Rs 75 crore (Rs 750 million) business. Her
company, V-Star which was setup in 1995 is one of the leading lingerie brands in Kerala,
slowly expanding to the other southern states while 20 per cent of her business is from the
Middle East market. She started her business with an initial investment of Rs 20 lakh and

31
10 employees, now V-Star has 180 employees and around 2,000 people, mainly poor
women from remote areas of Kerala who work indirectly as tailors. V-Star has more than
30 manufacturing units spread across India. The company also arranges for units run by
charitable institution to employ women to manufacture its women products, supplying
them with the material. Today, V-Star exports, retails at the big malls in the city and is
ready for expansion Bullish on business prospects, the company expects a turnover of Rs
100 crore (Rs 1 billion) next year. In Sheela’s word, "It was a slow transformation of a
simple housewife into a businesswoman. Today, I have the courage and confidence to talk
to anyone. Sometimes I feel all the housewives have such abilities in them but they remain
hidden as they get no exposure." Biggest challenge faced by her as an entrepreneur was
marketing of products and retaining the employees.

2) Poornima Indrajith:-
Poornima launched Pranaah, the first exclusive celebrity designer boutique in
Kerala. Poonima lndrajith, the popular actress, model and anchor. Along with showcasing
her signature collection, Pranaah also provides a platform for one-to-one interactions on
fashion, styling and makeovers. It is located at Panampilly Nagar, 4th Cross Road, Cochin,
Kerala. What makes Pranaah different from other Boutiques is that each item they sell is
unique and onset a kind. Pranaah dresses are usually hand embroidered and keeps up with
the latest trends in this industry. Pranaah is famous for its variety in clothing available at
affordable rates. Apart from garments, it gives importance to styling too. Pranaah uses
social media like Facebook and WhatsApp to get orders. One-to-one interaction is very
important in this case. Pranaah has a set of celebrities as their customers apart from others.
These celebrities project the brand in television shows and other programs. Pranaah also
conducts fashion shows on a regular basis, thus updating themselves in the world of
fashion.

3) Ambika Pillai:-
Ambika is a well-known name in the world of hair and beauty. Coming from an
affluent family of the cashew industry in Kollam, Ambika never thought of becoming a
hairstylist. "Growing up I was never inclined to doing my three sisters’ hairstyles; I was
more of a tom boy. I got married and divorced at a very young age. Out of the sheer need
to stand on my own foot, rather than take the easy way out by staying under my dad's

32
protective umbrella, I left home to do my hair and beauty course. It's only after I started
working and my haircut appointments were booked up for months on end that I realized I
was quite enjoying the job I was doing," reminisces Ambika, Her 6 salons at South
Extension, Rajouri Garden, Chhatarpur, Model Town, Kochi and Trivandrum handles
celebrity circuit that includes models, film stars, fashion designers, publishers, socialites
etc. She has done fashion shows in New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius,
Switzerland etc. Ambika has even tried her hand at movies such as "Taal" doing Aishwarya
Rai's face. She won the best makeup artist award of the 1996 and in 2014 she won the
Kerala business women of the year award. It was basically a natural progression for
Ambika Pillai as a makeup artist to come up with products, which complement and go well
with our Indian skin tones. The company Ambika Pillai Sales Pvt Ltd' was born in 2008
with 20 strong skilled and talented work team, and now they have more than 160 staff
members who are true to the brand and uphold the values, ideas and goals set by Ambika.
The Ambika Pillai makeup product range currently comprises of lipsticks, mascaras, lip
pencils, hand bags and so on She has eight salons of her own. All salons are unisex. In
Kerala, she has salons in Kochi, Trivandrum, Kottayam and Kozhikode.

4) Maithri Srikanth Vedhika:

Kerala' s first designer fashion store celebrates the colors of life, through a
kaleidoscope of fabrics, rejoicing the heart and soul of Indian heritage, tradition and
culture. A harmony of India's rich and diverse cultures, tradition and modernity, weaving
and handcraft -Vedhika portrays them in sublime beauty and style-celebrating the art of
creativity, also seen through the eyes of international fashion sensibilities! Commenced on
29th October 2012.at SFS Icon in Vellayambalam Road, Trivandrum, is Vedhika's flagship
store. Within the short span of three years, this brand driven by its astute women
entrepreneurs enjoys an endearing patronage across Kerala ,many celebrities and a strong
NRI and foreign clientele around the globe.

Undoubtedly this also comprises winning many a connoisseurs' hearts. Maithri and
Anupama, two childhood friends chose to weave the fable in their hearts the legend of
heritage, beauty and celebration. Choosing a world of their own, with an appetite to
innovate and thee willingness to work tirelessly they dared to create "works of art" on
textiles. The confluence of their creativity combined with a burning passion, results in

33
mind-blowing creations woven in an assortment of garments. Brand -"Vedhika", captures
and celebrates the colors of life with all their innocence, passions, and joys on the loom of
innovation.

Brand -"Vedhika" indeed is celebratinglife with inspired panachel 5) Sheela

James:-

Sheila's entry into the city's fashion industry was in 1988 when she started her
boutique, Body Tunes. This is Sheila's 30th year in the business and her fifth store in the
city, after Body Tunes, Czarina, Czarina Designer Wear boutique and Cotton Studio. "Most
people were discouraging when I mentioned I was starting a boutique. Their argument was
that people in the city did not spend money on clothes,” said Sheila James. With two
additional boutiques - Czarina and Options (a designing studio) by 2004, she proved them
wrong. She started her business in Trivandrum where she noticed a need for retail outlets
that catered to designer wear in the city. She is probably the first to introduce the boutique
concept in the city. Czarina', her boutique is also becoming a rage among the ladies. Every
material at "Czarina' is unique and of good quality. Block Printed saris from Kolkata and
Brocades from Varanasi are highly in demand. Aari, zardosi, mirror, kantha, kashmeeri
embroidery, block print, kalamkari... the list of embellishments is endless. Her collection
boasts of Kancheepuram, Banaras, Uppad,Maheshwari, Kota, Tussar, Jute, Pashmina,
Brocades, Cotton, Khadi, Georgette, Crepe, Chiffon and so on.

6) Beena kannan:
Beena Kannan is an Indian sari designer who joined the family textile retailing
business Seematti in1980. Seematti branched out to all major centers in Travancore like
Changanassery, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Kayamkulam, Adoor,
Trivandrum etc. Today Seematti is thebridal destination of Kerala catering to all the
choices of a bride under a single roof. The CE0 and lead designer of Seematti, Beena
Kannan is also a pioneer in introducing a new array of Kancheepuram Saree every year.
This tradition has been on in Seematti since 2003. The array of Sarees includes Antique
bridal brocades, new generation soft wear sarees, Shimmer light brocades, Designer
Jadhkan sarees, and Stretchable Kancheepuram wedding sarees. Seematti is the one stop
shop for every family for their wedding purchase. Beena Kannan, the CEO and lead
designer has been recognized by Lifetime achievement award from Erode- Coimbatore
34
Weavers community in 2009. She has also been the recipient of Business Sree Award of
India Trade fair Foundation. The Times Group honoured her in 2010 with the title Woman
of Substance'. The best Woman Entrepreneur Award of the year 2010 instituted by Fashion
Mantra' was also awarded to India. Seematti has CNBC-Awaaz Survey 2007 recognition
for being one of the most preferred large format lifestyle stores of

India, as voted by customers. Entry in to Guinness Book of World Records &

Limca Book of Records 2007 for presenting World's longest Silk Saree measuring half a
kilometre. Last ever the decades the being recognitions, several Won.

7) Parveen Hafeez
She is the managing director of Kerala-based Sunrise Hospitals. With her fine
leadership skills and sharp business acumen, Parveen has become one of the leading
women entrepreneurs in Kerala. As an entrepreneur hard work, persistence and a good
understanding of business are the factors behind her success. She had been nominated by
the Kerala State Women's Development Corporation. Besides being the founder
chairperson of the Ladies Forum of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she is
an executive committee member of the Kerala Management Association and is also on the
advisory board of the Kerala Financial Corporation. She married Dr. Hafez Rahman,
gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon and chairperson of Sunrise Hospitals, immediately
after her graduation. Besides Sunrise Hospitals, she is also the managing partner of
Medlase Disposables, a surgical company, and Aware Solutions, a software development
company based at Info park. Medlase, the first company, was formed 19 years back.
Sunrise hospital, a tertiary health care centre, is widely recognized as a pioneer in
'Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeries'. Being the Apex Centre for Minimally Invasive
Surgery in Asia, they have also been honoured as a Centre of excellence in 'Hemia
Surgeries and Laparoscopic cancer Surgeries. Specialized in 'Accident and Trauma care',
they are ably equipped with state-ofthe-art treatment for all types of medical emergencies.
They accommodate more than 40 medical departments and specialties. Sunrise Hospital
has branches in United Arab Emirates, India and Maldives. Aesthetically laid out, this
hospital is maintained under very stringent conditions of asepsis that ensures a clean
infection-free environment which is at the same time extremely warm, caring and relaxing.

35
SPECIAL INCENTIVES AND SCHEMES PUT FORTH BY KERALA
GOVERNMENT FOR BOOSTING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Women in Kerala top the country in terms of education and literacy rates. But that
is only half the story. Today they are taking another step forward. A large number of
women in Kerala are starting and managing enterprises. The Economic Review, 2014 of
the state says that 25 per cent of the 2,34,251 working SSIs/MSMEs registered in Kerala
were promoted by women. 3354 new enterprises were registered in the state by women
during the year 2014.With the support of agencies like KSIDC, the government has
proposed and brought into action various policies which are aimed at improving the
standard and opportunities of Women Entrepreneurship in the state.

Special Incentives
● Entrepreneurship societies formed by girl students in colleges will be given 5% grace
marks.

● Selected entrepreneurs will be given free training and stipend. Financial assistance
up to 80% of project cost will be arranged through bank 1loans.

● Advertisement tariff at Government rate will be made applicable for the

advertisements of such venture through media.

● 50% subsidy for stalls/advertisements in shopping festivals organized by

Government Institutions. Quasi.

● Marketing of the products will be arranged through Government/ Quasi Government

organisations.

● Interest subvention scheme of State government for woman entrepreneurs on loans

availed from any scheduled bank up to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for three
years by industrial units run by women employing not less than 50% of women in its
work force, will be borne by the government.

36
Special Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs in Kerala
1. Women Industries Scheme (WIS) This scheme was introduced in 2010-11 with a
view to provide financial assistance to women industrial units. Here, the amount of
working capital must be 40% of project cost. In this case, 50% of total workers
should be women.

2. Women Industries Programme (WIP) This scheme is intended to provide financial

assistance to women industrial units engaged in small-scale and cottage industries
and to attract more women entrepreneurs to industrial sector. These are industrial
units owned or organised by women and engaged in small scale and cottage
industries. Co-operative societies, joint stock companies, charitable institutions,
proprietary and partnership concerns registered as SSI or cottage industrial units are
also come under this category. In both the above cases, 80% of the total workers
employed should be women. The purpose of grant is :-

• To meet the cost of equipment (maximum Rs. 75,000)

• To meet the cost of construction of building directly related to production

(maximum amount RS.50,000)

• To meet the rent of the building

• To meet the salary of the following functionaries out the unit, namely
managing director, secretary, technical expert, Manager, stipend of trainees

3. Entrepreneurship Development Programme : It is a highlevel professional training

skill up gradation programme to women entrepreneurs. Assistance is intended to
given training to improve entrepreneurial and managerial skill of up Coming women
entrepreneurs.

4. Cluster development programme : Types of assistance that can be extended are to

the following activities:

Diagnostic study, Technology up gradation or development and transfer

Quality improvement Raw material bank Skill up gradation. Up gradation of HRD

facilities Market promotion

37
5. Women industrial parks: The amount will be utilised to convert land identified to an
industrial state exclusively for women.

6. Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme :

Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme for
Women provides government grant up to 30 per cent of project cost.

7. MahilaUdyam Nidhi: This scheme provides soft loan (Quasi equity) assistance to
women entrepreneurs for setting up projects in Tiny Sector.

8. MahilaVikas Nidhi This scheme provides Training and employment opportunities to

women through creation of necessary infrastructure.

38
 CHAPTER-4

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

39
 The present study is intended to analysis the problems and prospects of women
entrepreneurs in Thiruvananthapuram District. The total number of samples size is 60. The
details are collected from the sample numbers with the help of interview schedule.

1. AGE GROUP
The following table shows the age wise distribution of women entrepreneurs.

TABLE 3.1
Age wise analysis of the respondents

Sl. No. AGE GROUP RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Below 25 9 15
2 25-35 12 20
3 35-45 21 35
4 45-55 12 20
5 Above 55 6 10
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

It is clear that 35% of the respondents come under the age group of 35-45- and 20%
of the respondents come under the age group of 25-35 and 45-55.only 15% of the
respondents are the below the age of 25 and 10% of respondents are above the age of 55.

40
Figure 3.1

41
2. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

TABLE 3.2
Educational Qualification of the respondents

Sl. No. QUALIFICATIONS RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Professionals 16 27
2 Graduates 28 47
3 Secondary 9 15
4 Below Secondary .3 5
5 Others 4 6
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Among the total respondents majority are graduates, they are followed by
professionals. From our study it can be observed that mostly women are graduates who
emerged as entrepreneurs.

Figure 3.2

42
3. MARITAL STATUS

TABLE 3.3
Marital status of the respondents

Sl. No. MARITAL RESPONDENTS

STATUS
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Married 49 82
2 Unmarried 11 18
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of women entrepreneurs are married and most of them started their
venture after marriage.

Figure 3.3

43
4. FORMS OF BUSINESS

TABLE 3.4
Distribution of sample respondents according to the form of business

Sl. No. FORM OF RESPONDENTS

BUSINESS
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Sole proprietorship 47 78
2 Partnership 13 22
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Of the 60 respondents 47 are sole proprietors while the rest of the 13 respondent
runs partnership form of business.

Figure 3.4

44
5. NATURE OF BUSINESS

TABLE 3.5
Distribution of sample respondents according to the nature of business

Sl. No. NATURE OF RESPONDENTS

BUSINESS
Number PERCENTAGE
1 Boutiques 17 29
2 Bakery 6 10
3 Beauty therapy 23 38
4 Stitching 12 20
5 Others 2 3
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Among the 60 respondents 38% of women run beauty therapy. They are followed
by the owners of boutiques shop with an aggregate of 28%.20% of women on their own
stitching centres and 10% of women owns bakery and rest of the 3% carry other kind of
business.

Figure 3.5

45
6. CAPITAL INVESTMENT

TABLE 3.6
Distribution of sample respondents on the basis of their capital investment

Sl. No. CAPITAL RESPONDENTS

INVESTMENT
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Below 5 lakhs 32 53
2 5 lakhs-10 lakhs 24 40
3 10 lakhs-15 lakhs 3 5
4 15 lakhs-20 lakhs 1 2
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of the sample respondents have invested capital below 5 lakhs and only 1
among the respondent between 15-20 lakhs.

Figure 3.6

46
47
7. NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

TABLE 3.7
Table showing no: of employees in the unit

Sl. No. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS

EMPLOYEES
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 1–5 43 72
2 6 – 10 12 20
3 11 – 15 5 8
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of the respondents said that they have around 1-5 employees in the
organisation and 20% of the respondents with 6-10 employees. Only 5% of units have
11-15 employees.

Figure 3.7

48
8. MONTHLY INCOME

TABLE 3.8
Distribution of sample respondents on the basis of their monthly income

Sl. No. MONTHLY RESPONDENTS

INCOME
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Below 10000 10 17
2 10000 - 20000 21 35
3 20000 - 30000 9 15
4 30000-40000 17 28
5 Above 40000 3 5
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

17% of the respondents earn a monthly income below 10000. Another group of
35% getting monthly income between 10000-20000. Only 15% of the total respondents are
getting monthly income between 20000-30000 and 28% earning between 30000-40000.
Only 55 of the respondent are earning above 40000 per month.

Figure 3.8

49
9. MOTIVE FOR STARTING BUSINESS

TABLE 3.9
Distribution of sample respondents according to their motive for starting business

Sl. No. MOTIVE RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 To earn income 26 43
2 To gain independent employment 17 28
3 To gain social prestige 4 7
4 To fulfil self desire 13 22
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

On analysing 60 sample respondents , it is seen that 43% of women entrepreneurs

has started business for earning an income and 28% to gain independent employment,
while the 22% to fulfil their self desire . only 7% to gain social prestige.

Figure 3.9

50
51
10. SUPPORT FROM THE FAMILY

TABLE 3.10
Satisfaction level of respondents on the basis of support from their family

Sl. No. SUPPORT FROM RESPONDENTS

FAMILY
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Highly satisfied 32 53
2 Satisfied 15 25
3 Neutral 11 19
4 Not satisfied 2 3
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Though 53% of total respondents are highly satisfied and 25% are satisfied with the
support from family. 19% have responded with neutral and the rest of 3% are not satisfied.

Figure 3.10

52
11. SUPPORT FROM THE SOCIETY

TABLE 3.11
Satisfaction level of respondents on the basis of support from the society

Sl. No. SUPPORT FROM RESPONDENTS

SOCIETY
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Highly satisfied 8 14
2 Satisfied 14 23
3 Neutral 33 55
4 Not satisfied 5 8
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Of the total respondents 55% have an opinion that they are satisfied with the
support they received from the society. But 8% are not satisfied.

Figure 3.11

53
12. SATISFACTION RATE REGARDING THE WORKING EMPLOYEES

TABLE 3.12
Table showing satisfaction rate regarding the working of employees in the unit

Sl. No. WORKING OF RESPONDENTS

EMPLOYEES
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Highly satisfied 19 32
2 Satisfied 30 50
3 Neutral 9 15
4 Not satisfied 2 3
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Of the total respondents 32% of them are highly satisfied and 50% are satisfied
with the working of employees. But 3% are not satisfied.

Figure 3.12

54
13. KIND OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION

TABLE 3.13
Distribution of sample respondents facing gender discrimination

Sl. No. ANY KIND OF RESPONDENTS

GENDER
DISCRIMINATION NUMBER PERCENTAGE

1 Yes 21 35
2 No 39 65
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of the women entrepreneurs is with an opinion that they had not faced any
kind of gender discrimination and rest of 35% of women entrepreneurs faced gender
discrimination.

Figure 3.13

55
14. PROBLEM FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

TABLE 3.14
Table showing problems faced by women entrepreneurs

Sl. No. PROBLEMS RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Financial 30 50
2 Marketing 16 26
3 Personal 13 22
4 Government 1 2
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of the respondents faced financial problems and 27% with marketing
problems, 22% facing personal problems and 2% facing governmental problems.

Figure 3.14

56
15. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

TABLE 3.15
Table showing financial problems faced by women entrepreneurs

Sl. No. FINANCIAL RESPONDENTS

PROBLEMS
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Shortage of fund for 32 53
initial capital
2 Lack of support 20 34
from financial
institution
3 Inability to provide 3 5
collateral security
4 High rate of interest 5 8
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Though all the respondents have financial problems. Majority of the respondents
are of the opinion that shortage of fund for initial capital. 34% facing the problem of lack
of support from financial institution. 8% facing the problem of high rate of interest and 5%
with inability to provide collateral security.

Figure 3.15

57
16. MARKETING PROBLEMS

TABLE 3.16
Table showing marketing problems faced by women entrepreneurs

Sl. No. MARKETING RESPONDENTS

PROBLEMS
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Severe competition 19 32
2 Limited mobility 18 30
3 Inadequate publicity 6 10
4 Exploitation from 17 28
middle man
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Of the total respondents 32% are of the opinion that most serious marketing
problem faced by them is severe competition, followed by 30% with limited mobility and
28% of them are facing exploitation from middle man. Only 10% facing the problem of
inadequate publicity.

Figure 3.16

58
17. PERSONAL PROBLEMS

TABLE 3.17
Table showing personal problems faced by women entrepreneurs

Sl. No. PERSONAL PROBLEMS RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Resistance from family 2 3
2 Resistance from society 5 8
3 Dual responsibility 26 44
4 Lack of self confidence 27 45
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of the respondents are of the opinion that they have lack of self
confidence. 44% are with problem of dual responsibility and 8% with resistance from
society. Only 3% with resistance from family.

Figure 3.17

59
18. PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH GOVT. ASSISTANCE

TABLE 3.18
Table showing problems connected with govt. assistance

Sl. No. GOVT. PROBLEMS RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Red-tapism 29 49
2 Large volume of paper 8 13
formalities
3 Discrimination of entrepreneurs 1 2
4 Ignorance of law and procedures 11 18
5 Others 11 18
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Govt. place a predominant role in women entrepreneurs.49% of the respondents are

of the opinion that there is high red-tapism in handling files in govt. departments. 13% of
women entrepreneurs have complained about the large amount of paper works. While 18%
admit that they are ignored of different law of procedures. There is only 2% says that they
have faced discrimination of entrepreneurs.

Figure 3.18

60
19. MODE OF LOAN REPAYMENT

TABLE 3.19
Table showing mode of loan repayment

Sl. No. MODE OF LOAN RESPONDENTS

REPAYMENT
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Monthly 38 64
2 Quarterly 8 13
3 Half yearly 11 18
4 Yearly 3 5
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

64% of the respondents repay loan on monthly basis , while 13% pays the loan on
quarterly basis and 18% pays half yearly. The rest of 5% pays it yearly.

Figure 3.19

61
20. ANNUAL SAVINGS

TABLE 3.20
Table showing annual savings

Sl. No. ANNUAL RESPONDENTS

SAVINGS
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Below 10% 17 28
2 10%-20% 15 25
3 20%-30% 19 32
4 Above 30% 9 15
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority(32%) of the respondents save between 20-30% of their annual saving

which shows that they have also a share in capital formation of our economy. 28% of the
respondents save below 10%. All women entrepreneurs are of the opinion that they are
trying their maximum to save a part of their income.

Figure 3.20

62
21. SATISFACTION LEVEL REGARDING RATE OF SUCCESS

TABLE 3.21
Satisfaction level of respondents regarding rate of success

Sl. No. SATISFACTION RESPONDENTS

LEVEL
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Highly satisfied 21 35
2 Satisfied 25 41
3 Neutral 7 12
4 Not satisfied 7 12
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

It is clear that 41% of the sample respondents are satisfied with their individual rate
of success. But 12% are neutral and not satisfied on their individual rate of success.
Moreover 35% of the respondents are highly satisfied.

Figure 3.21

63
22. SPECIAL SCHEMES

TABLE 3.22
Satisfaction level of respondents based on special schemes provided by the govt.

Sl. No. RESPONDENTS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Highly satisfied 30 50
2 Satisfied 14 23
3 Neutral 6 10
4 Not satisfied 10 17
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority (50%) of the respondents are highly satisfied with the special schemes
provided by the govt. for asst. women entrepreneurs. 23% of the respondents are satisfied
with the special schemes while 10% are on the opinion of neutral. Among 60 respondents
17% where not satisfied with special schemes provided by the govt.

Figure 3.22

64
23. ROLE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NATION BUILDING

TABLE 3.23
Opinion of the respondents regarding the role of women entrepreneurs in nation

Sl. No. OPINION IN RESPONDENTS

NATION
BUILDING NUMBER PERCENTAGE

1 Highly agree 35 58
2 Agree 19 32
3 Neutral 3 5
4 Disagree 3 5
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority (58%) of the sample respondents highly agree with the statement that
women entrepreneurs have a great role in nation building and 32% agree to this statement.
But 5% didn’t agreed upon the statement and rest of the 5 % have a neutral opinion to the
statement.

Figure 3.23

65
24. MAKING OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

TABLE 3.24
Opinion of the respondents regarding the making of women entrepreneurs

Sl. No. OPINION IN MAKING RESPONDENTS

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 They are born 3 5
2 They are made 18 30
3 They are born and also be made 39 65
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

Majority of them are on the opinion that women entrepreneurs are born and also
can be made and only 5% says that they are born.

Figure 3.24

66
25. STRESS WHILE DISCHARGING DUAL DUTIES

TABLE 3.25
Table showing stress while discharging dual duties

Sl. No. STRESS WHILE RESPONDENTS

DISCHARGING
DUAL DUTIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE

1 Yes 47 78
2 No 13 22
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

78% of the women entrepreneurs feels stress while discharging dual duties as most
of them are married and have children. 22% are on the opinion that they don’t feel any
stress.

Figure 3.25

67
26. ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (EDPs)

TABLE 3.26
Table showing the opinion of EDPs for women entrepreneurs

Sl. No. OPINION ON RESPONDENTS

EDPs
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1 Yes 53 88
2 No 7 12
TOTAL 60 100
Source: Primary data

88% of respondents says that EDPs for women will increase the prospects of
women entrepreneurship and 12% says it will not increase the prospects of women
entrepreneurship.

Figure 3.26

68
 CHAPTER- 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS,
SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

69
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS
The present study is intend to analyse the problems and property of women
entrepreneurship in Trivandrum District. The total number of sample size is 60. The details
are collected from the sample members with the help of interview schedule. The major
findings of the study are:

1. Majority of the sample respondent (35%) belong to the age group of 35-45

2. Majority of the sample respondents are graduates.

3. Out of 60 women entrepreneurs, 49% women entrepreneurs ie. 82% are married.

4. The form of business organised by majority of sample respondents (78%) is sole

proprietorship.

5. Among the 60 respondents, 38% of the women entrepreneurs are beauty therapists
and they own their own parlours.

6. Majority of their sample respondents have invested capital between 5 lakhs to 10

lakhs.

7. Majority of the respondents have around 1-5 employees in their organisations.

8. 35% of the sample respondents earn a monthly income in between 10000-20000.

9. Most of the sample respondents (43%) have started business for earning Income.

10. 3% are of opinion that they are not at all getting any support from their family.
Instead of providing support the families are creating problems. Rest of them are
satisfied with the support they get from their family.

11. Though 14% of the respondents are highly satisfied with the support they received
from the society for carrying on their business, 8% of the respondents are not
satisfied with the support provided to them by the society.

12. Of the 60 respondents, 2 are not satisfied with the working of their employees.

13. A higher majority of 65% is of opinion that they have not faced any discrimination
on the basis of gender:

14. Though they are facing financial, marketing, personal and other related problems,
the most serious issue is the financial problem.

70
15. .Though all the respondents have financial problems, majority of the sample
respondents (53%) are of opinion that the shortage of funds for initial capital or
margin money is the serious issue.

16. 32% of the sample respondents are of opinion that the most serious marketing
problem faced by them is the severe competition (both healthy and unhealthy).

17. Majority (45%) of respondents are of opinion that, they have lack of self
confidence.

18. Most of the sample respondents are of opinion that they are not getting proper and
timely assistance from government due to gender discrimination, ignorance of laws,
procedures and paper formalities, red-tapism, etc.

19. Majority of the respondents repay loan on monthly basis.

20. Majority (28%) of the respondents save below 10% of their annual earnings which
shows that they have also a share in capital formation of our economy.

21. 41% of the sample respondents are satisfied with their individual rate of success.
But 12% are neutral and not satisfied on their individual rate of success.

22. Majority (50%) of the respondents are highly satisfied with the special schemes
provided by the govt. for asst. women entrepreneurs. Among 60 respondents 17%
where not satisfied with special schemes provided by the govt.

23. Majority (58%) of the sample respondents highly agree with the statement that
women entrepreneurs have a great role in nation building.

24. Majority of them are on the opinion that women entrepreneurs are born and also
can be made and only 5% says that they are born.

25. 78% of the women entrepreneurs feels stress while discharging dual duties as most
of them are married and have children.

26. 88% of respondents says that EDPs for women will increase the prospects of
women entrepreneurship and 12% says it will not increase the prospects of women
entrepreneurship.

71
SUGGESTIONS
Following are certain suggestions to solve the problems of women entrepreneurs in
Thiruvananthapuram District.

1. Separate finance cells under the control of women officers may be opened in various
financial institutions and commercial banks for providing easy and ready finance to
women entrepreneurs. Collateral security should be dispensed away with in the case
of women entrepreneurs by the financial institutions as women have hardly any
property or other assets in their ownership inorder to provide guarantee to a loan.

2. Government and local bodies should take steps to support women entrepreneurs,
especially beginners. Programmes should be organised for encouraging women for
effectively utilising the potential women resources. Training schemes should be
designed so that women can take full advantage of training facility

3. For the development of women entrepreneurs, they should be a sound family

atmosphere.Parents in the initial stage and husband in the later stage have to support
women entrepreneurs for performing the entrepreneurial activities successfully.

4. The problem of effective discharge of dual responsibilities of women entrepreneurs

can be solved by resorting to work-life balance and through better time management.

5. A women can set up a home based business. By operating her business from home, a
woman can better coordinate her household and business responsibilities.

6. Single window system is to introduce to support and develop women entrepreneurs

at district level.

CONCLUSION
Kerala women are educated, talented and innovative. Unfortunately, Women of
Kerala are low in business as compared to men. Whole hearted support from the family,
society and government is very important inorder to emancipate the women of Kerala.
Concerted effort must be put inorder to rise the level of women entrepreneurship in Kerala.
Social activist, financial institutions, government agencies and corporate sector should play
an active role in the transformation of women and in driving women to explore
entrepreneurial opportunities.

72
 To resolve the issues, Indian and Kerala government has taken a number of
initiatives to encourage innovativeness among women and bring them in entrepreneurial
arena. Their efforts have met with success and women have increased in entrepreneurial
sector. But the percentage of women in entrepreneurial segment is still subpar.

The contributions of women entrepreneurs are a pre-requisite for nation building.

When women become independent and self reliant, they will definitely serve best to the
nation.

73
APPENDIX

74
 INTERVIEW SCHEDULE PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF WOMEN
ENTREPRENEURS IN KERALA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT

Name (Entrepreneur an unit)

Address
Location of enterprise- Rural / Urban
1. Age
a) Below 25 b) 25-35 c) 35-45 d) 45-55 e) Above 55

2. Educational Qualification
a) Professional b) Graduate c) Secondary d) Below secondary e) Others

3. Marital Status
a) Married b) Unmarried

4. Form of business
a) Sole proprietor b) Partnership

5. Nature of business
a) Boutiques b) Bakery c) Beauty therapy d) Stitching e) Other

6. Amount of capital invested

a) Below 5 lakhs b) 5lakhs-10lakhs c) 10lakhs-15lakhs d) 15lakhs-20lakhs

7. No: of employees in your unit

a) 1-5 b) 6-10 c) 11-15 d) Above 15

8. Monthly income
a) Below 10000 b) 10000-20000 c)20000-30000 d) 30000-40000 e) Above 40000

9. State the motive for starting and entrepreneurial unit

a) To earn income b) To gain independent employment
c) To gain social prestige d) To fulfill self desire

10. Are you satisfied with the support you get from your family?
a) Highly satisfied b) Satisfied c) Neutral d) Not satisfied

75
11. Are you satisfied with the support you get from the society?
a) Highly satisfied b) Satisfied c) Neutral d) Not satisfied

12. Are you satisfied with the working of employees in your enterprise?
a) Highly satisfied b) Satisfied c) Neutral d) Not satisfied

13. Do you face any kind of gender discrimination?

a) Yes b) No

14. According to you which is the most serious problem faced as anentrepreneur ?
a) Financial b) Marketing c) Personal d) Government

15. According to you which is the most serious financial problem faced as an
entrepreneur ?
a) Shortage for fund for initial capital
b) Lack of support for financial institutions
c) Inability to provide collateral security
d) High rate of interest

16. According to you which is the most serious marketing problem faced as an
entrepreneur ?
a) Severe competitions b) Limited mobility c) Inadequate publicity
d) Explanation from middlemen

17. According to you which is the most serious personal problem faced as an
entrepreneur ?
a) Resistance from family b) Resistance from society c) Dual responsibilities
d) Lack of self confidence

18. According to you which is the most serious problem faced in getting govt: assistance
at apt time?
a) Red-tapism b) Large volume of paper formalities
c) Discrimination of entrepreneurs
d) Ignorance of law and procedures by women entrepreneurs e) others

19. Have you taken any loan ? If Yes , what is the mode of repayment?
a) Monthly b) Quarterly c) Half yearly d) Yearly

76
20. What is your annual savings?
a) Below 10% b) 10%-20% c) 20%-30% d) Above 30%

21. Are you satisfied the rate of success ?

a) Highly satisfied b) Satisfied c) Neutral d) Not satisfied

22. Are you satisfied with special schemes provided to women entrepreneurs by
financial institutions and government?
a) Highly satisfied b) Satisfied c) Neutral d) Not satisfied

23. “Women entrpreneurs help in nation building ’’. Do you agree with this statement ?
a) Highly agree b) Agree c) Neutral d) Disagree

24. What is your opinion about making of women entrepreneurs?

a) They are born b) They are made c) They are born and also be made

25. Do you feel stress while discharging the dual duties of a business women &
housewife?
a) Yes b) No

26. Do you think , whether special Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs)

for women will increase the prospects of women entrepreneurship or not?
a) Yes b) No

77
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS
1. Anand J S: "Self Help Group in Empowering Women A Study of Selected SHGs
and NHGs in Kerala", Kerala (1999)

2. Dr KGC Nair of Systematic Approach to Entrepreneurship, Chand book

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WEBSITES
1. www.googlesearch.com

2. www.inc.com

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