“Either she can be a homemaker or a working woman,” they say. “She can’t be both.”
But women have been rewriting that narrative for ages! Strength isn’t a choice between two paths; it’s about weaving them together. It’s where grace meets grit, and compassion meets courage.
Women everywhere juggle roles. They raise families and build businesses. They are soft and strong, kind and bold. There’s no rulebook. Just resilience.
In Gujarat, you can feel tradition buzzing around every corner. Meanwhile, modernity is carving out daring new paths. Women are more than part of the entrepreneurial story—they’re its backbone, the heartbeat, and often, the brilliant minds behind the scenes. Their journeys radiate inspiration, representing the true spirit of a Gujpreneur mindset, displaying the soul of dhandho—business built on wisdom and resilience.
The Duality of Women’s Strength
Running a home and running a business might look different from the outside. But are they really? Both need planning, juggling tasks, and quick calls. A homemaker’s daily grind is on par with an entrepreneur’s game plan.
Whipping up meals takes creativity and time management. Managing a household budget mirrors handling small business finances. Caring for a family teaches patience—an underrated leadership skill.
Strength isn’t about titles. It’s about impact. Women don’t wait for permission. They carve out spaces. Gujarati women have long merged ambition with tradition, proving success isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Women Who Made It.
Jasuben Shah
Jasuben Shah co-founded Jasuben Shah Old Pizza in Ahmedabad in the ‘90s with Andarben and Jorawar Singh Rajput. Starting as a humble street food stand on Law Garden Road, their bhakhari pizza—crisp, tasty, and affordable—became a hit. At one point, they sold more pizzas than big-name chains in town. Jasuben wasn’t just making pizzas—she was building a business rooted in simplicity and success. A true Gujpreneur, she turned a homemade recipe into a legacy.
Induben Sumanlal Jhaveri
Induben Sumanlal Jhaveri began her khakhra journey in 1965 with a simple motto: “Sell only what you’d happily feed your kids.” From a small room in her Ahmedabad home, she made up to 5 kg of khakhras daily. As demand grew, so did her brand—Induben Khakhrawala—now a household name built on trust, taste, and timeless recipes. Induben’s hands didn’t just roll out khakhras—they crafted a legacy of honesty and hard work.
Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat
Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat and six women started Lijjat Papad in 1959 with just Rs. 80. It wasn’t about profit—it was about survival. Their cooperative model took off, and today, Lijjat Papad is valued at over Rs. 1600 crore, supporting thousands of women. Jaswantiben’s efforts in women’s empowerment earned her a Padma Shri award. She didn’t just create a business—she built a sisterhood of strength and self-reliance.
Sonalben Khakhrawala
Sonalben Khakhrawala transformed her struggles into strength. What began as a way to support her family turned into a thriving business. Selling homemade khakhras, her brand grew steadily. Every packet carried her story—proof that success isn’t about resources but relentless perseverance.
Priti Patel
Priti Patel leads Raspian Enterprise Pvt Ltd, breaking barriers in the male-dominated defense sector. She didn’t just step into the boardroom—she took charge. Under her leadership, Raspian Enterprise has become a respected name in defense manufacturing. She proves women lead with both power and precision.
Geeta Solanki
Geeta Solanki founded Unipads to tackle menstrual health, a topic often brushed aside. She introduced reusable sanitary pads, blending innovation with compassion. Her vision extended beyond products—she created jobs for rural women, combining profit with purpose. Geeta’s work embodies startup spirit—solving real problems with real impact.
Conclusion: The Future is Female, Fierce, and Rooted
Women don’t pick sides. Homemaker or career woman—it’s never a choice between strength and softness. It’s both. Success looks different for everyone, but the shared thread is resilience and vision.
These stories go beyond profit margins—they speak of possibilities. Of Gujarati women who didn’t wait for doors to open but built their own, blending dhandho with determination, a rolling pin in one hand and a business plan in the other.
This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate these entrepreneurs—not just for their place in history, but for the futures they are quietly, boldly shaping.
Key Takeaway
Homes or businesses—women build futures. Their stories inspire, rooted in heart and hustle. For more journeys of unstoppable Gujarati women, stay with Gujpreneur—where ambition meets tradition.
