In 2020, in the midst of the global pandemic, in a quiet corner of Sambalpur, Odisha, Jyoshna Meher was facing financial strain as her husband’s small stationery shop barely made ends meet. Amidst this uncertainty, a spark lit within her—what if she could channel her passion for beauty into something more?

Without any formal training, Jyoshna started offering beauty services like facials and hair threading from her home, catering to neighbours and friends. But she knew this wasn’t enough. She was longing to create something bigger—something that could help her build a sustainable livelihood and contribute to her family income.

She realised that if she wanted to truly build a future, she had to invest in herself.

Jyoshna enrolled in a beauty course in Bhubaneswar, about 6 hours away, leaving her family behind for a full year to master her skills. It wasn’t an easy choice. “It was the hardest decision I ever had to make, to leave my children and husband to complete the course,” she recalls. “But deep down, I knew this was for them, for our future.”

When she returned, her skills had evolved, but a new challenge emerged—how to turn her passion and new expertise into a thriving business. That’s when she discovered Swakalpa.

“Swakalpa is a Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Skill Development Program funded by the Asian Development Bank and spearheaded by the Odisha Skill Development Authority, with Palladium as the lead implementation partner,” says Sandeep Lanjewar, Director, Palladium India.

The program was initiated with the objective to establish at least 1,000 micro-businesses in the state of Odisha. With a strong emphasis on gender equality and inclusivity, Swakalpa endeavours to ensure a minimum 25% representation of women at all stages, from training to entrepreneurship, he adds.

“Swakalpa was exactly what I needed but didn’t know existed,” Jyoshna says. “It was not just about technical skills; it gave me the resources and confidence to be an entrepreneur. The program taught me how to think beyond offering services from home. I learned how to brand myself, manage my finances, and market my services. It was like the missing puzzle piece that finally made everything come together.”

The program, which included 100 hours of training, not only sharpened Jyoshna’s business acumen but also gave her access to a network of mentors, financial guidance, and a support system that fuelled her confidence. “Swakalpa showed me that I wasn’t alone in this journey,” Jyoshna reflects. “They believed in my potential even when I had doubts about myself. The mentorship was life-changing—it transformed me from a hopeful dreamer into a businessperson with a vision.”

The high point in her journey came when she applied for a loan under the government scheme called PMEGP with support from Palladium, and the bank sanctioned her loan of US$10,000. This was the financial breakthrough she had been waiting for.

Armed with the business strategies she learned from Swakalpa, she was finally able to turn her dream into reality. The funds allowed her to transform her home-based service into a fully equipped beauty salon, which she proudly named Omaira—after her children, her constant source of strength.

“This journey isn’t just mine,” Jyoshna says. “It is a testament to what is possible when you have the right support. Every struggle, every sacrifice led me here. And Swakalpa was the turning point that made it all happen.”

Today, Omaira stands as more than just a beauty salon—it is a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and transformation. Jyoshna’s journey from a homemaker struggling to find her footing to an independent entrepreneur serves as an inspiration for women across Odisha and beyond. Through Swakalpa’s comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship, she was not only given the tools to thrive but also the belief that she could prosper.

“This story from Swakalpa not only showcases the creation of a business but the comprehensive journey of an entrepreneur. Jyoshna is one of the many individuals who have been empowered through the program,” adds Sandeep Lanjewar, Director, Palladium India. So far, the team has trained over 11,500 people, 70% of which were women and mentored over 1,200 candidates. It has aided in the establishment of 565 businesses and helped in the loan sanction of a total of US$120,724. The interventions resulted in a 35-38% increase in these entrepreneurs' average monthly revenue which has a made a huge positive change in their lives.

“Swakalpa is not just about providing training; it is about opening doors to possibility and empowering individuals like Jyoshna to realise their full potential,” adds Amit Patjoshi, CEO of Palladium India.

“By bridging the gap between talent and entrepreneurship, we offer mentorship, financial access, market linkages, and continued support, ensuring that skills turn into sustainable businesses. Jyoshna’s journey is a shining example of how transformative initiatives like Swakalpa can be.”

Programs like Swakalpa are essential across all parts of the country, where countless dreams are waiting to take flight. By making these opportunities accessible, we can unlock the immense potential within communities, allowing more people to turn their aspirations into reality.