Name of the Beneficiary

Sayali Sunil Gharat

Name of the Enterprise Floated

Vismaya Home Stay & Spicy Kitchen

Present Turnover

Rs. 80,000 monthly

Employment Generated

3

Inital Investments

• Rs. 18,00,000

Funds Raised, if any

• Rs. 10,00,000 loan

Sayali Sunil Gharat, a 12th-pass from Thal village, Alibag, came to know about entrepreneurship development training for women under the Udaya Project. Interested, She visited the EDII office and enrolled in the four-week programme.

The training covered crucial aspects of business, such as identifying viable ventures, market analysis, creating business plans, managing finances, production, and marketing, and even Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis and goal setting. Sayali gained in-depth knowledge and was inspired to start her own business.

Recognizing Alibag’s tourist potential, she decided to pursue a homestay and catering business. With her husband’s support, she decided to add a floor to their house for this business. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped construction. But, Sayali didn’t give up, she started making chocolates at home and selling them.

By late 2021, as the pandemic’s impact lessened, construction resumed by investing ₹3 lakhs. She advertised her homestay and home-cooked meals through social media, attracting tourists. Through a bank loan, she further developed her business, offering accommodation and meals. Tourists started coming through online booking, and her business is thriving. Despite facing numerous challenges, Sayali, confident from her training and through hard work, has built a successful business. She plans to expand her homestay by adding more rooms and enhancing her online booking system.