Passionate Women Entrepreneur from Meerut Pays Cancer Costs by Setting Up Home-Made Pickle Business

Laveena belongs to the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. She and her husband were both diagnosed with cancer at the same time in February 2010. While Laveena fought breast cancer, her husband was diagnosed with mouth cancer. Both had surgeries within a few days of each other, followed by grueling chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was a time of unimaginable struggle, both physically and emotionally. Their son was in Class 10, and their daughter was still very young.

Facing high medical expenses, the couple had limited options. "People suggested selling our house for treatment, but that was the only thing we had for our children. I couldn’t do that," Laveena recalled with determination. Their transport business couldn't cover the expenses, and they found themselves cornered. But Laveena had one asset she could rely on—her passion for making pickles and other preserved foods.

Beginning of Something New

Despite the adversity, Laveena's husband encouraged her to turn her love for making pickles into a business. Drawing on the knowledge she had gained from a food preservation course during her school years, she decided to give it a try. "We started with just Rs. 1,500," Laveena shared. With that small sum, they made 10 bottles of lemon squash. They reused old bottles from home, covering them with cloth as they couldn't afford proper caps.

She didn’t know much about selling products back then, but Laveena’s strong willpower led her to kitty parties and local gatherings, where she convinced women to try her homemade delicacies. Her first batches were small—10 kg of lemon pickle, followed by 5 kg of mango achar. Despite the modest beginnings, she knew she was onto something.

Struggle to Succeed

The first three years were filled with hardship. "It was a time of constant struggle," Laveena admitted. She wanted to give her children a better life, but it wasn't easy. Her son, who was preparing for his 12th-grade exams, would study late into the night after helping with the family business. "When he was in 12th, I remember returning home from an exhibition at midnight. He had only two hours to study, but he never complained," she recalled with pride.

Her husband's ongoing health issues added to the challenges. He has difficulty speaking and hearing, which further complicated their lives. However, their son stepped in, helping to manage the business alongside Laveena.

From Pickles to Prosperity

With time, Laveena's business began to grow. She expanded her product line, adding pickles of bitter gourd, ginger etc, chutneys, papads, squashes, jams and more and named her venture as Laveena’s Tripti Foods. "Today, we have 60-70 different varieties, and we’re always working on something new," she shared with a smile. Her products are available both offline and online, including on platforms like Amazon.

Laveena is not just a businesswoman; she's a job creator. She employs 7-8 people at home and an additional 5 women from nearby villages, most of whom cannot commute to urban areas. "Ninety-five percent of my coworkers are women," she proudly stated. These women are involved in every step of the process, from cutting and peeling to washing and spice preparation.

Support from the Government

Laveena’s journey wasn’t without support. She received a loan under the PM Mudra Yojana and also gained access to exhibitions through the UP Horticulture Department. "Participating in Kisan Mela and World Food India 2024 has been an incredible learning experience," she said, expressing her gratitude for the government’s backing.

A Living Inspiration

Thirteen years into her journey, Laveena continues to run her business from home, managing everything from processing and packaging to marketing. From surviving cancer to building a thriving business, Laveena Jain’s journey is one of hope and inspiration.

"I never thought we’d come this far," she said, reflecting on the challenges she has overcome. "But here we are, living a life of dignity and purpose, and that’s all I ever wanted."

Laveena’s story proves that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of faith, you can overcome any obstacle and turn even the smallest beginnings into something truly remarkable.