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Talat Shaheen is a resident of Baldia Town,Karachi.Wifeof a clearing agent and a mother of six children, Talat is an enterprising woman. With four sons and two daughters, the family’s sole breadwinner was her husband, leaving Talat with limited options due to her education, which ended at matriculation.When COVID-19 struck, their lives took a harsh turn.
The pandemic’s economic impact hit hard, especially for the middle and lower-middle classes. Talat’s family was no exception. Work became scarce, money tight, and her children’s well-being at risk. Determined to improve their situation,Talat turned to her skills for support.
That’s when she started stitching clothes in her house but the income was still insufficient. She started stitching in desperate conditions but that’s not where her heart was. This was the time when she got in touch with HomeNet Pakistan (HNP) through its social mobilizer,Fauzia,and started attending their sessions. There, she was introduced to Financial Inclusion of Home-based Workers’ Enterprises through Business Booster Loan and Trainings (FBLT) project which focused on converting skills into viable businesses, creating business identities and plans, networking opportunities and marketing strategies to build sustainable businesses, ensuring financial inclusion of women within the communities.
During the first FBLT meeting, she heard the trainer talk about establishing businesses and managing them sustainably. She got so inspired by the idea that she decided to excel in her life and make something out of her skills. Talat completed her FBLT project’s Foundation Level Training in which she learned about the basics of business development; converting your idea into business, managing inventory, recording your purchases and reinvesting profits in the business,etc.
“The FBLT program opened up avenues that I had never considered possible for me,“shared Talat. “Through the training sessions, we acquired new skills such as bookkeeping, time management,profit segregation,networking, and leveraging social media for marketing.”
Her passion for cooking, coupled with the praise she received for her culinary creations,fueled Talat’s decision to venture into the catering business. Thus, ‘Noor Catering’ was born, specializing in desi food and snacks.
As her business flourished and orders increased, Talat hired two assistants to help manage the workload, all operating from her own kitchen. While her current clientele primarily consists of those familiar with her business, she is eager to expand her reach through social media. Recently, she secured a contract with a local small-scale hotel, providing a stable source of income by selling four fooditemsdaily.
Talat’s ongoing Advance Level Training is equipping her with strategies to approach different hotels, schools, and offices for regular food and snack supply contracts. Additionally, she plans to utilize Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to cater to her existing clientele and attract new customers.
Today, Talat’s business has transformed her family’s financial landscape. With her sons now employed, their combined income is PKR 60,000 per month, of which Talat contributes PKR 20,000 and saves PKR 10,000-15,000 every month. Her business success has enabled her to upgrade her home’s furniture, buy a new LCD, and improve her kitchen equipment.
Talat’s ambitions are not limited to her current success. She aims to earn PKR 50,000/month within the year and dreams of opening her own restaurant in the main market. Her ultimate goal is to employ her husband and children, establishing a family owned business empire.
Talat expresses her gratitude to HNP for the doors it opened, both financially and psychologically. She believes that in today’s world, men and women must work together for progress and prosperity. Talat’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, enterprise, and the transformative impact of empowering women.
Talat Shaheen’s journey is a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that with determination and support,even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome.
NOOR CATERING, KARACHI, PAKISTAN – CONTACT: 0311 2812121
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