- Lawrence Road, Jinnah Town, Lahore
- (042) 3631 3186
- Info@homenetpakistan.org
Syeda Salma is the owner of Naina Beauty Parlor in Yousuf Goth,Karachi.Sheisa 35-year old strong, confident and independent woman who is managing her home along with her business successfully,all the while raising her two kids, aged 9 and 11. But has she been always self-reliant and self-assured? Not at all.
A year ago,Salma was are served and reticent individual,lacking confidence in expressing her thoughts and often found herself in the background. Her husband worked as a guard, and with only one source of income, they struggled to meet their needs. “We prioritized our children’s education, but our monthly expenses exceeded our income, ” Salma explained. “The escalating inflation made survival a monthly challenge.”
Salma’s life took a significant turn when a neighbour, whom she taught mehndi application and designs, introduced her to HomeNet Pakistan (HNP). This encounter led her to attend a meeting focused on the Financial Inclusion of Home-based Workers’ Enterprises through Business Booster Loan and Trainings (FBLT), organized by HNP. This experience marked a turning point in Salma’s life.
“At first, I was too shy to interact with others. I remember sitting at the back, quietly listening to the trainer explain how the FBLT project aimed to empower home-based workers and nurture them into micro-entrepreneurs, ” Salma recalled. “The project emphasized developing business ideas, enhancing skills, and teaching essential practices like record keeping, inventory management, financial management and profit generation.”
Inspired by the possibilities outlined in the meeting, Salma enrolled in FBLT and began its Foundation Level Training. She realized that the beautician and makeover craft she had learned ten years ago was an important skill that could be transformed into a sustainable business.
Salma completed her Foundation Level Training, which equipped her with fundamental business skills such as planning,pricing,book keeping, profit optimization, time management, communication skills and effective brand marketing strategies. Equipped with this new found knowledge, she officially launched ‘ Naina Beauty Parlor’.
HNP’S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Despite gaining a sense of business acumen, Salma faced a significant hurdle: lack of resources. Living in a one-room house, she was unsure how to start her business without space or equipment. However, HomeNetPakistan(HNP) stepped into helpher chart a path forward.
HNP assisted Salma in transforming her foyer into a space for her beauty parlour. They also introduced her to HBL microfinance loans, which could be repaid in easy monthly instalments. Furthermore, an HNP representative connected her to the bank, helped her prepare her documents, became her guarantor ; and supported her through every step as this was her first interaction with a bank and any form of loan. After due diligence, she received a loan of PKR 75,000 through HBL MicrofinanceBank. With this amount, Salma purchased products and equipment for her parlour. She revamped the foyer and the exterior of her house to create a welcoming environment for her clients.
Before Salma started her business, the household income was PKR 25,000-30,000 per month. With her business now thriving, she and her husband earn PKR 60,000 per month. Even after paying the loan instalment, they manage to save PKR 20,000 or more every month. This increase in income has improved their standard of living, allowing them to provide better education and clothing for their children and gain respect in their extended family and social circle.
“Besides the training and the loan facilitation,HNP has given me my identity, ” shared Salma. “HNPhas made me more aware of not just my talents but my rights, in general too. Now, I am able to teach my daughter allof this so she doesn’t have to go through the suffering like I did in my younger years.”
Salma’s future aspirations include saving enough money to rent a place for her beauty parlour or construct a room upstairs in her house for a separate business space. This would provide her family with the entire home for themselves, without worrying about clients, while also offering a more exclusive experience for her clients. She also aims to hire employees, acquire more equipment, and add new services to expand her business and increase revenue.
In just a year, Salma has undergone a remarkable transformation. From a shy individual, she has emerged as a self-assured and outgoing businesswoman. The FBLT project not only taught her to be independent but also introduced her to the world of financial management. This newfound financial literacy has empowered her to become self-sufficient and has instilled in her better management skills that benefit both her home and professional life.
NAINA BEAUTY PARLOUR, KARACHI, PAKISTAN – CONTACT: 0309 2116016
About
Quick Link
Useful Links
Contact
Copyright 2022 by trusthand All Right Reserved.