Saga of Women Entrepreneurs in Sustainable Practices

Margaret Thatcher once said: “Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.”

In recent years, the global landscape of entrepreneurship has witnessed a remarkable surge in women-led businesses. These ventures not only contribute to economic growth but also play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability. Women entrepreneurs are increasingly embracing sustainable practices, recognizing the interconnectedness between business success and environmental responsibility. Women entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to drive sustainable change due to their inherent ability to empathize, collaborate, and nurture relationships. This ethos is reflected in their businesses, where they prioritize the well-being of not just their bottom line, but also their communities and the planet.

There are mainly three pillars that led to the sustainability of women entrepreneurs.

Ethical sourcing and production: Many women-owned businesses prioritize sourcing materials and ingredients from local suppliers or those with fair labor practices. Lakshmi Menon’s initiative with the Chekkutty dolls to support and protect the flood-affected Chendamangalam handlooms gained global acceptance. These are dolls made of soiled textiles from the 2018 flood-ravaged looms. Through Lakshmi Menon’s tireless efforts, Kerala has come together to save the ancient craft and to ensure a speedy return to stability for the lives of Chendamangalam. 

Embracing renewable energy and reducing carbon footprints: Women entrepreneurs are leading the change in embracing renewable energy and reducing carbon footprints. From implementing energy-efficient technologies in their operations to investing in renewable energy sources, these businesses are demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship. Katherine Lucey, driven by her commitment to women’s empowerment, energy poverty alleviation, and combating climate change, founded Solar Sister. This groundbreaking initiative is dedicated to establishing a network of women with economic opportunity and clean energy across Africa. As the primary consumers of household energy, women are critical for the successful adaptation of clean energy solutions. Katherine believes that investing in women is a prerequisite for the large-scale adoption of clean energy technologies at a grassroots level. It is this gender-inclusive system approach, combined with a women-led enterprise-based model to bring sustainable livelihood opportunities to address energy poverty, that makes this model unique.  

Social impact and community engagement: Many women-led businesses actively engage with their communities through philanthropy, mentorship programs, and initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized groups. The story of Sushma Gupta of Karma Masud, a small village in Bihar, is about an agripreneur whose journey began as a mushroom farmer and progressed to a mushroom health tonic provider. She leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit to address the issue of preventing surplus mushroom crops from going to waste. Sushma was fortunate to have personalized mentoring and hand-holding support in establishing and scaling up her business. She stood up as one of the successful entrepreneurs in her community and inspiration to many rural women.

As more women continue to enter the entrepreneurial landscape, their commitment to sustainability will undoubtedly shape the future of business. By championing ethical practices, embracing renewable energy, and prioritizing social impact, women entrepreneurs are not only building successful businesses but also creating a more sustainable and inclusive world for generations to come.

-Manju Malathy is an Assistant Professor with 12 years of experience in the higher education sector. She is a Zone Trainer at Junior Chamber International India Zone 20 and a social activist.