A Journey towards Independence: blend of Entrepreneurship and Farming 

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Having no prior business experience, Shubhangi and Vidya have proven themselves. Overcoming challenges, they not only achieved success in business but also generated a turnover of ₹15 lakhs. Today, their 'Juice Farm' is an excellent example of successful entrepreneurship.

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Shubhangi holds a B.E. (Mechanical) degree, while Vidya has a diploma in Fashion Designing. Both were highly educated but had no direct business experience. They faced many obstacles from the very beginning. After her marriage, Vidya had to stop her small design business due to her father-in-law's cancer. On the other hand, Shubhangi couldn't start her own business initially due to her job and later, the responsibilities of young children. Both of them came from farming families, so they wanted to do something that complemented agriculture. Both were looking for the right opportunity, and that's when a proposal to start a 'Juice Farm Franchise' came to them.

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To get the necessary training to start the business, they went to Juice Farm in Pimpalgaon Baswant. During this training, their friendship became stronger. This was a new experience for both of them, as it was the first time they had gone away, leaving their children behind. Initially, they felt a lot of mental distress from leaving their kids alone, but they encouraged each other. This experience was not only professional but also a significant step in their personal growth. During the training, they realized that the work was not as difficult as they had thought and could be learned easily.

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In May 2024, they started their 'Juice Farm' business in Ozar (Nashik). They were getting a good response from customers, but within a month, the road work in front of their shop also started. This severely affected the business in the initial period. But they did not give up. They planned their work meticulously, divided the tasks, and calmly overcame every problem. They say that since customers couldn't reach them because of the road work, they started reaching out to the customers. Since it was wedding season during that period, they started supplying aamras (mango juice) for various related events and sold 500 liters of it. They say that this initiative helped them connect with more people. As a result of their hard work, their aamras was in high demand again during Akshaya Tritiya this year.

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The two of them share their mistakes with each other and are always learning from them. They do not let personal problems affect the Juice Farm. They attracted customers by organizing events like Haldi-Kumkum ceremonies and birthday parties. This helped them build a distinct customer base. The presence of HAL company and Air Force colonies near Ozar provided a great opportunity for their business. People from different parts of the country started enjoying their juices. By managing their finances well, they did not feel any financial strain even during the off-season.

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Shubhangi and Vidya say, "No matter how much work or how big the crowd is, we enjoy it." According to them, a positive attitude and proper planning are crucial for success in any business. They said that this business has improved their communication skills, which in turn is helping the business grow. They say that the simple methods of making juice (SOPs), zero wastage, and the satisfaction of providing quality and healthy juices at an affordable price to customers are the mantras that inspire them. They have also proven that this business is suitable for women in semi-urban and rural areas who want to become entrepreneurs while managing their homes. So far, their business has generated a turnover of ₹15 lakh, which is a testament to their hard work and proper planning.

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