August 27, 2025, 8:41 am
TAM Report ||
In the quiet town of Singra in Natore, where traditions run deep and opportunities for women are often limited, a woman named Mina Sarker is redefining resilience. Widowed in her mid-30s and left with three young daughters, Mina’s life took a tragic turn in 2018 when her husband, Ratan Kumar Sarker, died of a stroke. What followed, however, was not a story of surrender — but one of self-reinvention, courage, and entrepreneurial success.
Today, Mina is not only a devoted mother but also a recognized woman entrepreneur, known for her homemade delicacies and traditional clothing line, sold through her Facebook-based business, Mina Fashion & Foods.
Mina’s journey began in the village of Katuyabari under Singra Municipality. Life was simple, and her responsibilities were mostly domestic. But the sudden loss of her husband forced her to think differently. With limited education and no formal business experience, her options were few.
That’s when her neighbors, Tumpa Kundu and Konika Kundu, stepped in — encouraging her to turn her cooking skills into a business. In 2022, she launched her own brand online, starting with small batches of homemade snacks and clothing items marketed on Facebook.
What started as a survival strategy quickly became a growing enterprise.
Mina’s products are now well-loved in her community and beyond. Her pumpkin fritters, made with high-quality pulses and free from any additives, are in high demand. She produces 10–12 kilograms daily. But that’s not all — her business also offers pure honey, clarified butter (ghee), ladoos, and a variety of traditional sweets.
On the fashion front, she sources and sells sarees, three-piece sets, and women’s t-shirts — all curated with quality and cultural relevance in mind.
Her monthly income now ranges between BDT 20,000 to 25,000, a significant achievement for a home-based entrepreneur in rural Bangladesh.
Mina’s entrepreneurial efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was selected as a Digital Village-certified entrepreneur under an initiative of Singra Upazila and attended multiple training programs, including one at the Learning and Earning Training Centre in Rajshahi and a seminar at North South University in Dhaka. She also participated in the Natore Women’s Fair, where she was officially recognized for her contributions.
These opportunities have helped Mina refine her business skills, understand customer needs, and strengthen her digital presence — all while staying rooted in her community.
Despite her busy schedule, Mina remains deeply devoted to her daughters. Her eldest, Rajashree, has recently passed her HSC with an A+ grade and dreams of becoming a nurse. The other two daughters, Anushree and Shreyasi, are currently in eighth grade and class one respectively. Mina’s journey has shown her children — and her community — what a strong, independent woman can achieve.
Local officials have praised Mina’s impact. Sumi Khatun, Women Affairs Officer of Singra Upazila, remarked: “Women like Mina are proof that with support and courage, transformation is possible. She’s not just a businesswoman — she’s a role model.”
Mina Sarker’s story is more than one woman’s success — it reflects a broader shift in rural Bangladesh, where women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, using digital platforms, and building businesses that support both families and communities.
As she continues to grow her brand, Mina dreams of setting up a larger food production center and inspiring other women to take control of their futures.
In a world often dominated by stories of hardship, Mina’s journey stands out as a beacon of hope — a reminder that the strongest roots often grow in the hardest soil.