Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Where there’s a will…
These young women decided to pursue their own interests rather than wait for handouts. Priyanwada Ranawaka meets three award winning young entrepreneurs

Unable to continue her higher studies, Nandani Ajantha of Kegalle began a small enterprise of ready-made garments. Her little shop was called ‘Susinidu Dresspoint’.

Initially she manufactured women’s and children’s’ garments and this proved quite profitable till largescale readymade garment companies opened up in the town. The industry became far too competitive and money became tight.

Having the machines and a trained staff at hand, Nandani decided to bring in some innovation to her work. She started to make cloth bags. Today, she holds in her hands the impressive award for Women’s Entrepreneurship for the Year 2002.

Nandani is one of the three young entrepreneurs who have been recognized for their strength and resilience by the annual Shell LiveWIRE ‘Young Business Start-up Award’ competition. The Shell LiveWIRE programme, active in over 15 countries including Sri Lanka, is part of the company’s commitment to encourage young Sri Lankans to operate a business of their own. Launched in Sri Lanka in 1999, as a social investment in the community, this programme aims to encourage and assist young people between the ages of 16 and 32 who want to start a business of their own.

“I found my own solution for the unemployment problem!” exclaims 29-year-old Samantha Kumari Senerath who has a degree from the University of Peradeniya. Samantha was unemployed for a long time and so preferred to capitalize on her own labour and talent rather than sell it to someone else. “I had a passion for pottery from childhood and simply pursued my dream to start my own business,” she smiles.
Neo Lanka Potters, her company situated in Moronthota, was begun as a small-scale business. She now produces exquisite wedding cake boxes, teapots, tea sets, vases, flowerpots and other earthenware.

“It wouldn’t have been possible for me to climb the ladder of success without the support of my family and neighbours,” Samantha says. She is also thankful to the Shell LiveWIRE programme. The happy winner of the Silver award in the micro category for 2002, she plans to expand exports to Japan, the US and the UK with the prize money she received.

Twenty-eight-year-old A.A. Thushara Nilmini of Hambanthota, the bronze award winner for 2002, is in the ornamental fish industry. Amarasinghe Aquarium breeds many varieties of fish including Goldfish and Calffish. “I started as an amateur but after following several Aquaculture courses, I decided to take it up as a trade. Now I export fish through the Piliyandala Angel Aquarium,” she says. She has even found employment for four of her friends who help her out in the business.

“This kind of recognition not only gives them strength, it also helps them to find their own way,” says one of the judges of the competition, Mrs. Daya Jayaratne, representing the Women’s Chamber. “This programme recognizes the achievements of young people who have been in the business for less than two years. We take into account the quality of the products, the increase in their income, and how they expand their trade further,” she explains.

“When I started my industry, I never thought I could bring it up to this level. I had very little funds. The Shell LiveWIRE increased my personal strength and determination and also publicized my business, which I could not have afforded to do on my own,” recalls Nandani Ajantha.

Since winning this award I have had many big companies offering me help. I can look to the future confidently,” says Nilmini with optimism. “I am happy that I did not go on ‘strike’ because I was unemployed. Because where there is a will, there is always a way,” says Samantha Kumari.

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