The entrepreneur in you

There are many myths in this world: potatoes are not fattening, wine is good for your heart, men and women have similar career paths.

Let us bust those myths: potatoes are fattening, wine is not good for your heart and men and women definitely do not have straightforward career paths.

For women, marriage, pregnancy and priorities at home could mean a forced break from work, altered schedules and sometimes giving up on that nine-to-five job.

Till flexi timings become a norm in corporate India, should you give up and become a forced soccer mom like your next-door neighbour did?

Not really. Think about entrepreneurship. It is a great alternative. Though it can be seductive and scary.

Free enterprise has its attractions: you are answerable to no one but yourself, you set your own goals, you work at your own pace, you take full credit for your own success.

Here are just some of the options available.

i. Skill based business

Harness your God-given or hard-earned skills. If you are a good artist, you could conduct art classes or display and sell your work in your garage or at an art gallery. A qualified Chartered Accountant could find clients who will give you the flexibility to write accounts from home. An interior designer could tie up with a larger firm to design from home, leaving onsite work to contractors.

Who would have believed that Tarla Dalal first began cookery classes at her home? She has now revolutionised the food industry! Her son Sanjay Dalal, who manages her kitchen empire, says, "She started small, teaching five students at a time, 15 years ago. She has a passion for her work. That has made the business such a success."

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ii. Franchises

Franchises are coming of age in India. You could start your own franchise with a business model already in place. From playschools to flower shops, dance classes to medical diagnostic centres, there are franchises available for everything.

Franchising requires a deeper commitment in terms of time and money. You may also need to have a separate workplace and employees according to the requirements of the franchiser.

If you have the time and money, franchises are great business models to go with.

iii. Marketing and sales

If you are good at selling and pitching, you could affiliate with well -known names such as Amway, Avon, Modicare, Tupperware, Times Books, and take up a great flexitime business opportunity.

You would have the backing of an established brand and full marketing support. But this calls for good sales skills and a good network of contacts.

Do expect some initial expenses to buy a starter kit and some promotional material, but do not get lured into repeatedly buying promotional material.

Other options in marketing and sales include:

1. Marketing products available in one market but perhaps scarce in another. Hemangini Bali, a mother of two, has found a wholesaler of Gujarati textiles and handicrafts in her hometown Valsad, and sells them in Versova, Northwest Mumbai.

2. Selling via the Internet is a good option. eBay and many similar sites give you a great platform to buy and sell on the web, though you could also set up your own web site.

Assess what can sell on the web, procure and sell it after marking the price up for a decent profit.

Deepa Thomas, spokesperson, ebay India, says, "The unique business model implemented on eBay India provides a platform for Indian women sellers to sell local products/ handmade items (using existing talents), across the country and to buyers across the world. Women sellers can also use the eBay opportunity to extend an offline business to online with zero upfront investment."

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v. Routine work

Data processing work could be home based freelance work (if you do it yourself), or on the basis of small business where you hire a few women, set up computers and take up bulk data processing orders to earn better margins.

v. Agencies

Taking up an agency is another popular option, and insurance is the most common choice. After voluntary retirement from ONGC, Seema Nair became an agent for TataAIG Life Insurance. "It took a lot of hard work. But, today, I am one of their top selling agents. I did not want to just become another agent. The time is flexible but often I end up working on Sundays to meet my clients when they are available," she says.

You could opt to sell mutual fund schemes, open a share shop from home, start a manpower agency that supplies people with specialised skills such as nurses, or odd jobs men like plumbers, carpenters, etc.

So if anyone tells you it is time for you to be a soccer mom once your child is born, tell them that is another myth. The truth is you can be anyone you want to be if you look at this break as a new opportunity.

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