Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs from Manipur
From lotus-stem fibre and silk cocoons to wild gooseberries and handloom cloth, these ten women are building businesses out of what their land and their traditions already offer.
Manipur, often called the Jewelled Land, has a long tradition of craft, weaving and farming. The women in this collection carry that tradition into sustainable fashion, food processing, handmade jewellery, natural products and herbal tea.
Some began with a single material, others with a skill learned at home. Many also open doors for other women, by creating work, sharing their craft or training new weavers. Here are their stories.
Founder, Sanajing Sana Thambal
Bijiyashanti Tongbram founded a venture that extracts fibre from lotus stems and turns it into yarn, textiles and accessories such as scarves, mufflers, stoles and neckties. The initiative also creates work opportunities for local women.
Founder, Meira Foods
Hanjabam Shubhra Devi founded Meira Foods, a Manipur-based food business producing pickles, fruit candies, jams, squashes and other processed food products.
Founder, Dry Bloom
Khundrakpam Rani built Dry Bloom, a floral-art business that turns dried wildflowers into sustainable gifts. She also shares her craft skills with other women.
Founder, Gita Cocoons
Shrimayum Gita Devi creates earrings, necklaces and decorative ornaments from discarded silk cocoons. Her work helps revive traditional craft techniques, and she passes these skills on to other women.
Founder, Garden of Eden & Warm Delights
In Ukhrul, Pamreiwon Shokwungnao runs a herbal-tea brand alongside a pastry and bakery business, working under the names Garden of Eden and Warm Delights.
Founder, Shirin Products
Yangmila Zimik founded Shirin Products, a food business producing gooseberry candies, pickles, jams, squashes and other traditional food products.
Founder, Mangal
Jina Khumujam developed Mangal, a range of handmade soaps made from locally available fruits and plants, with the aim of creating work opportunities for women.
Founder, SMILE
Hanjabam Ranita Devi’s enterprise, SMILE, produces market-ready foods from seasonal fruits and vegetables, working with local suppliers and women.
Founder, Cherry Neu Traditional Store
Cherry Neu runs a traditional weaving business in Churachandpur, Cherry Neu Traditional Store, and supports local women weavers.
Leader, J.S. Enterprise
Thokchom Reena Luwang leads J.S. Enterprise, a textile enterprise working with women weavers to produce cotton and silk garments. She provides looms and designs, trains women and supports their path to financial independence.
The businesses are very different, yet a few patterns repeat across all ten stories.
Lotus stems, discarded silk cocoons, dried wildflowers, gooseberries and local fruit all become finished products with a story.
Several founders create work, teach their craft or train weavers, so each business supports more women than its owner.
Weaving, preserving and handcrafting are reaching modern customers through brands, gifts and everyday products.
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