Married at 18, mother of two creates platform to support women in business

More than 25 National Exhibitions, 15 International Exhibitions, 65 Entrepreneur Development Programme (EDP), 75 Entrepreneur Skill Development Programme (ESDP), 100 Webinars, impacting more than a lakh of women entrepreneurs in nearly 19 years…this is the success story of Confederation of Women Entrepreneur (CoWE) India, a not-for-profit organisation. CoWE, an ISO 9001: 2008 and NABET certified NGO under Section 25 of Companies Act, is the brainchild of P Soudhamini and five other first generation women entrepreneurs. The platform was created in Hyderabad on November 22, 2004 to support budding women entrepreneurs and drive them to be independent businesswomen. “I never imagined of being a businesswoman. Entered the field as my husband wanted my support but climbed the ladder solely through my hard work,” Chairperson, Founder and Director of CoWE, Managing Partner of Vision 2K India LPP, and Livon Techno Foams, P Soudhamini told Bizz Buzz in an exclusive interview

How did the journey towards entrepreneurship begin?

I am a first generation entrepreneur. Now, when I look back, this whole journey feels surreal. I got married when I turned 18. I had to discontinue studies while my husband was pursuing Medicine when we got married. My parents were academicians at Rishi Valley School in Madanapalle, hence education and intellectual discussions were centre table. Once, my parents visited me here in Hyderabad, by then I had two children, that day they encouraged me to complete my education. I took up LLB and MBA while managing my schedule aligned to that of my kids. By then my husband had completed MBBS but, he was inclined towards setting up a business. This is when he put up a manufacturing plant for powder painting. In early 1990’s while pursuing education, I ended up being the Director of our first business. After two years or so we bagged contracts for big names. I was in-charge of administration, operations, finance and taxation while my husband took care of the manufacturing, technology, R&D among others.

Not only a first generation entrepreneur, but you are also a serial entrepreneur, could you tell us about the other businesses?

After 10 years as businessperson, we saw a boom in the computer domain. We decided on starting a new venture related to software development. My husband had friends settled in the US. Our research of the US market led us to narrow down on serving the healthcare sector there. Also, with his friends in the US, we were able to get clients way easily. In 2000, we started Vision 2K India LLP, a back office service for doctors in the US. We started with 40 employees and now Vision 2K is a team of more than 500, catering to over 5,000 clients. Vision 2K, a HIPAA compliant company caters to 600 medical facilities across the US. Along with other partners, I also set up two manufacturing units called as Livon Techno Foams and Livon Tech Bond Foams.

How did CoWE happen?

While workings as a businesswoman, I was simultaneously into social service. I was one of the vice president of Red Cross Society in AP. Also, I worked for many women entrepreneur organisations namely FICCI, FAPCCI and Aleap. During this period, I got the thought of starting a National body for women entrepreneurs. In 2004, under YS Rajasekhara Reddy as the Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, I started CoWE. The CM sanctioned 30 acre of land for setting up of an industrial estate for women in Hyderabad and I am the Chairperson of the land committee. A German body supported us in building CoWE capacity. Initially seven women registered and later 20 others joined in. I actually planned of setting up an auxiliary manufacturing unit for automotive sector as Volkswagen was about to come with its plant there. But, as they went to Chennai, we developed the industrial estate into engineering and other manufacturing. 20 units are established and running here.

Tell us about CoWE’s growth and plans?

This year I am the Chairperson of CoWE after having donned all the posts, starting from Secretary, vice president, president, and national president. In between we had paused for a while as we were going nation-wide. Now we are 10 Chapters and in talks of entering North East too with a Chapter and industrial estate for women. We will soon be in tier-two cities with sub-chapters. CoWE has one industry estate on 17 acres in Vijayawada wherein 30 members have their units. There, and here in Hyderabad too, we are expecting a sanction of more acre of lands from the related department to expand. We are also in talks to enter African countries to provide skill development training and handhold women entrepreneurs there. CoWE was formed with a motto to strengthen women with the skills needed to be an entrepreneur. All the colleges then were job oriented. CoWE went to colleges and introduced entrepreneurship cells. We have been holding awareness programmes in tier-two and three towns for girls who have passed eight and 10th standard. We are training them with skills that make them employable too.

Who can benefit from CoWE?

Our focus is on two main categories - seasoned entrepreneurs and women who want to enter business. CoWE provides training, facilitation of finance, networking and marketing through exhibitions. There are many women out there in their 30’s who after marriage and kids want to utilise time but are not able to rejoin a job as they lack behind. So we help them convert their interest and passion into business. In their available time, they can run a business after getting trained and upskilled.

What are your momentous memories of CoWE?

In 2012, as the president of State I started the national Chapter. After one learning experience, I succeeded in holding top notch exhibitions. I also partnered with Hitex for conducting events there. During my period, CoWE did a loan mela with the support of SBI bank. When the bank did not process the loan, I was able to get our members hand loan from another woman, and all the 20 businesses are a success story.

According to you, what problems do girls face while wanting to be an entrepreneur?

Women entrepreneurs across States have similar issues like parents and in-laws objections, financial problems, security and societal issues. A father spends on marriage and dowry but is not ready to invest in her business. Once she becomes a businesswoman then, 99 per cent of them are success stories. Any failure seen is due to ego, health or husband. I have seen three generation of women entrepreneurs and the changing ecosystem. Now, girls are very confident. In cities and tier-two, we get to see daughter-mother or daughter-in-law and mother-in-law business combinations. Parents are either financing or morally supporting them to venture out. I have seen cases wherein a husband was bankrupt and the wife joined in to run the show. One wife set up a small business while her husband was in a job. Her business grew big after which the husband joined her. We have such examples now.

Which business options would you suggest for women?

Women make up nearly 50 per cent of the population, which means there is a huge potential for women to come up with business ideas that cater to women. 90 per cent of clients are home makers/women and children. I would suggest first generation businesswomen to tap this client segment. However, for seasoned entrepreneurs, they can start with one business and then diversify if they have the knowledge and courage to.

What is your take on the available government schemes for women entrepreneurs?

They are not that supportive. The government’s impression is that as you are a businesswoman you are equal to any businessman. We get subsidies that are the same for men too. I have written many times to the State government’s concerned department on behalf of our member’s to sanction subsidies on time. Till the subsidy is sanctioned, after a year or so, those entrepreneurs end up shutting down. I want the government to give us market leverage. The State government will get a feather in its cap if it gives additional land to women for setting up units wherein 90 per cent is given to men. There are no special privileges for women in regard to financing. Public procurement policy talks about certain per cent earmarked for procurement of products from MSEs owned by women.

What does a women entrepreneur have to develop to succeed in business?

Focus is important to succeed for sure. Convert your hobbies into business but do not abort in between. It is said that women do not take risks but if she does then it will never be a failure. A woman should not be under the guilt of neglecting family while running the show. Create and develop that support system which will help them balance life and work. Planning is very important for women entrepreneurs to manage time wisely and successfully run a business. Moreover, for being in business, playing smart is needed, by choosing a good business idea and secondly, investing smartly.