This Karnataka Woman Runs A Pickle Business Worth Rs 1.5 Crore Annual Turnover
Vanita Hegde started the pickle business with an investment of Rs 26,000.
When a woman takes the path of self-reliance, then she can achieve anything and become successful. This has been demonstrated by Vanita Hegde, the owner of Divya Pickles in Yellapur Taluk, Uttara Kannada district. She has become a household name in her district for her tangy and tasty pickle.
Vanita Hegde’s husband, Ramachandra Hegde was a honey extraction contractor. However, he lost the contract and had no job for some time. Looking at the dire condition of the house and the numerous responsibilities shouldered by her husband, Vanita turned to achaar (pickle) for sustenance. But who knew that this would kick off a business for her and make her an entrepreneur? She turned her pickle venture into a business and transformed herself into a successful entrepreneur with a turnover above Rs 1 crore.
Initially, her husband extended his full support to his wife. Later, Tulsi Gramudyog Sewa Samiti of Mundgod stepped in to help her out. Here, Mr RK taught her how to make pickles. They started their business with an investment of Rs 26,000. Subsequently, the Deshpande Foundation provided them with the platform to market their product.
Vanita Hegde’s business grew, and now she sells her pickles in all the districts of the state, including Bengaluru, Mysore, Hubbali and Dharwad. In addition to this, every six months, she has been exporting two containers of pickles to Kuwait from Yellapur.
Vanita Hegde has set the example that with the right mindset and efforts, one can turn their luck around. Currently, Vanita’s Divya Pickles has a turnover of Rs 1.5 crore per year. She offers 16 varieties including mango pickle, Jeerige Midi (a raw mango which tastes and smells like Jeera), Lemon, lime, butter gourd, tamarind, Makali beru, Kanchikai (citron lime pickle) which is sweet, Kavali Kai (unripe and sour berries) and mixed pickles. The local business has been gaining attention in her district.