Crafting Dreams from 100 Rupees
When Priyanka from Chavakachcheri first decided to start a business, all she had was 100 rupees and a handful of coloured paper. It wasn’t much, but she believed she could turn those sheets into something beautiful. With patience and skill, she began crafting birthday cards, chocolate gift boxes, and handmade photo frames, each piece infused with her own style and care.
In 2018, a training course in handicrafts opened her eyes to new techniques and possibilities. She soaked up everything she could, then searched for more knowledge on social media and YouTube. Her determination was rewarded during the pandemic in 2019. While the world slowed down, her business unexpectedly thrived. People stuck at home wanted meaningful ways to connect with loved ones, and Priyanka’s creations became a bridge of affection. Orders poured in for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, and special occasions. At her peak, she was making steady profit, working long hours but feeling the joy of her craft being valued.
But success in handicrafts can be fragile. As life returned to normal, demand for certain products (especially chocolate gift boxes) declined. Rising raw material costs meant birthday cards now sold for 200–300 rupees, but the profit margin barely covered her time. She tried hiring helpers, yet few matched her precision or creativity, and incomplete work only added to her challenges.
Still, Priyanka refused to stop creating. She began focusing on customised, high-value items like school exhibition pieces, which brought in better returns. A turning point came when the “Viluthu” organisation discovered her through Facebook and introduced her to the Sanjeevi online platform. This gave her access to customers abroad, whose orders, she says, bring the most pride and reward for her effort.
Today, she balances her handicraft brand “Riya Creations” while running her husband’s family business of preparing wedding and flower garlands. The garland trade is profitable, and she is eager to expand it, but her passion for handmade art remains at the heart of everything she does.
Priyanka’s journey has been far from smooth. Shaped by fluctuating demand, rising costs, and the constant challenge of finding skilled partners. Yet from 100 rupees and a dream, she has built a business that has touched people locally and abroad, proving that even the smallest beginnings can lead to meaningful success. [1747].jpg)
