Started with 10 thousand taka, now income is 20 lakh taka per month

Sirajum Munira and Ferdous Ahmed—both of this couple took jobs in private companies after studying at Dhaka University. But could not adjust themselves at work. So they were looking for business opportunities due to the urge to do something independently.

They looked at various business possibilities for several months. Finally decided to work with jute and yarn. From that idea, he traveled to different parts of the country to see the factories and shops of handicrafts, weaving and boutiques. Finally, in November 2017, he started a joint venture with an organization called 'Sutar Kavya'.

The journey of 'Sutar Kavya' started with only 10 thousand taka capital and 20 women workers in a rented house in Rajabasar village of Parvatipur upazila of Dinajpur. In the span of eight years, the company's investment, income and number of employees have increased several times. Currently 60 men and women are working here. The total investment has already crossed Rs.

how to start
Sirajum Munira studied in the Department of Linguistics, University of Dhaka. His home is in Thakurgaon district. On the other hand, Ferdous Ahmed obtained a bachelor's degree from the Department of Sociology of the same university. His house is in Barguna district.

From the beginning of their campus life, a heart-to-heart develops between them, which culminates in marriage. After developing a family bond, they are now partners in business ventures.

► Starting at 10 thousand taka, monthly income up to 20 lakh taka. ► Exporting products to US and European markets.

After completing his studies in 2007, Sirajum Munira joined a private organization as a research officer. Ferdous Ahmed joined a private bank. After marriage they settled in Parvatipur Upazila of Dinajpur. Their business journey started from there.

Prothom Alo reporter visited Sutar Kavya factory located in Rajabasar village of Parvatipur recently. At that time, this entrepreneurial couple talked about the company's journey, current business situation and future plans.

Sirajum Munira said, 'We were interested in doing something different besides the job. I was thinking of doing something environmentally friendly with local products. We both love to travel. Based on that, I visited different parts of the country to see handicrafts, weaving, boutiques and handicraft shops. I decided at one stage, I will work with jute and yarn.

Sirajum Munira said that both of them were still working after starting the business. They like the work of a handicraft institute in Rangpur. They took necessary training from there. Later returned to Parvatipur and trained 20 local women.

At the end of 2017, after renting a house and buying raw materials of only 10 thousand rupees, the manufacture of Nakshikantha, Shataranji and floor mats started.

Battle for Market
At the beginning of the business, the couple did not get much response from the local market. Later they opened a page on Facebook and started promoting product pictures.

Sirajum Munira said, "As easy as I thought, in reality the task was not that easy. There were many obstacles in working with women workers in villages. Getting the market was more difficult. But we did not give up.

One day, he got his first order of 5000 rupees from a buyer in Chittagong online. That increases their confidence. After that, the scope of the business gradually increased.

In 2022, they left the rented place and built a factory on the land bought with their own income. At present Sutar Kavya is supplying wholesale products to more than half a hundred shops in different districts of the country including Dhaka in addition to online. They said that they are earning an average of 18 to 20 lakh taka per month.

Currently Suta Kavya products are being sold in various European countries including Italy and the United States. Now they are preparing to open their own sales center in Dhaka.

What was seen on the ground
Their production work is going on in the semi-paved tin shed factory of 9 thousand square feet in the quiet environment of Rajabasar village. There are 40 loom machines and 10 sewing machines in a row inside. Various household products are made from yarn, jute and hoglapata.

A 900 square feet sales center adjacent to the factory is stocked with floor mats, place mats, floor rugs, table runners, shataranjis, wall hangings, plant baskets, laundry baskets, glass coasters, cushion covers, applique bed covers, bookmarks, kids rugs and tufting rugs.

Predominance of women workers
The number of women workers in yarn poetry is more. Sirajum Munira said that more than five hundred men and women have been trained for free in these few years.

Beauty Begum, who is involved in the weaving of Sutar Kavya, said, 'I started working after two months of training. I have been here for almost three years. Household expenses and son's education are going on with monthly salary.

respect
Sutar Kavya won the Best Jute Product Stall Award at the National SME Fair in 2021 in recognition of jute-based sustainable product production, women's employment and exposure of local handicrafts to the global market.

In addition, Sirajum Munira received the DHL-Daily Star Bangladesh Bizsen Award in 2022, the Upazila Shrestha Nari Entrepreneur Award in 2023 and the Best Women Entrepreneur Award from SME Foundation in 2025.

Ferdous Ahmed said, Suta Kavya has come to this place after passing many challenges. Always pay special attention to quality and artistic aspect. But people's taste is changing, interest in domestic products is increasing.

Ferdous Ahmed also said, "In addition to being profitable ourselves, our biggest success is to create employment opportunities for many people."