Innovation is not just about introducing breakthrough ideas and out of the box solutions. Sometimes, just being creative with what is around us, understanding market needs and seizing the opportunity can bring about impressive results. In a small village in Kot Addu, after having saved PKR 25,000, Rukhsana Parveen decided to start a micro merchandise shop in her village. She had received enterprise development training through the Shell Tameer Program and was excited to start her own business and apply the learning to make much needed money for herself and her family.
Starting off as a small kiryana store in 2011, Rukhsana now runs a full-fledged multipurpose general store selling grocery items, cosmetics, bangles, electrical items, solar lights, fuel and Shell Advance Lubricant. People from Rukhsana’s village who owned motorcycles had to travel 10 kms to have their vehicle maintained or oil changed. Seeing this, she also began the first motorcycle oil change facility in her village which sets her apart from other general stores in the area, which is ideal as motorcycles traffic continues to grow as a main means of transport in the area. Another edge her business offers is home delivery service so customers can simply place orders via mobile phones and have their products delivered to their doorsteps.
From her small savings of PKR 25,000, with which she began her business, Rukhsana today has a turnover of over PKR 1 million – completely changing her life and that of her family, who is now involved in her business supporting her.