Shimla:From laptops and home kitchens to global markets and sustainable enterprises, the inspiring journeys of three women entrepreneurs from Himachal Pradesh underline how determination, clarity of purpose and community-driven vision can transform individual dreams into institutions of change.
Ishleen Kaur’s journey reflects the transformation from uncertainty to leadership. Starting as a freelancer in sales and marketing in 2021, she faced the instability common to gig-based work—irregular income, lack of recognition and no long-term direction. Determined to build something permanent, she founded The Apex Institute of Learning and Development, with a mission to help founders, professionals and business owners grow through structured systems rather than scattered efforts. Handling everything herself in the early days—from sales to training—her persistence paid off. Today, Apex operates with a six-member team, an annual turnover of around ₹25 lakh, and a presence in India, the USA, UAE and Australia, supporting IT founders and service entrepreneurs through consulting and growth frameworks.
Equally compelling is the journey of Nishu Lata Sood, whose enterprise began in 1998 in the modest kitchen of Ambota village. With traditional recipes for pickles, chutneys, jams and snacks, she laid the foundation of Nishu Food Products. Her unwavering commitment to taste and quality, combined with timely innovation such as millet-based products, helped her brand adapt to modern nutritional trends. Today, her products are sold through retail outlets, online platforms and partner brands nationwide. Beyond business success, she has empowered hundreds of women across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab as a master trainer in food processing and entrepreneurship. Support from the Chief Minister’s Startup Scheme and CSIR-IHBT Palampur further strengthened her enterprise and confidence.
The third story is that of Mountain Bounties, led by Mamta Chander, where entrepreneurship meets environmental responsibility. Born not from a corporate plan but from empathy for forests and rural women, the initiative addresses forest depletion by creating sustainable livelihoods. Through the NGO and cooperative model Jagriti, village women identified surplus local resources, leading to products like apricot and peach oil, later expanding to value-added offerings from wild plants such as rosehip and nettle. The model reduced pressure on forests while creating income opportunities rooted in dignity and sustainability. As Mamta Chander puts it, sustainability is a shared system, not an individual achievement.
Together, these stories highlight how women-led enterprises in Himachal Pradesh are redefining success—by building institutions, empowering communities and aligning growth with sustainability.
BOX: Inspiring Takeaways
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From Freelancer to Founder: Ishleen Kaur built a global consulting institution from solo beginnings
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From Home Kitchen to National Brand: Nishu Lata Sood blended tradition with innovation to scale food products
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From Forest Protection to Livelihoods: Mountain Bounties linked sustainability with women’s empowerment
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Common Thread: Clear intent, consistent effort and community-centric vision