Problems of small business owners

Starting a business of one's own to earn a living is very challenging nowadays. In previous years we saw gender discrimination regarding start-ups of business. Now things have changed and women empowerment has influenced many women in different ways, which resulted in them owning small businesses of their own. Women are also owners of businesses like men. Also, we know that to establish a business is very challenging. It includes many activities and immense dedication towards the work and sometimes we often see people's business becomes their passion too. It requires hard work and persistence on the part of those who choose to become independent at a very early stage. We all know that owning a business brings us profits, but do we know about the problems faced by the small business owners? Probably we don't, because we are always in a hurry after noticing the profit of others. These small business owners, without any support of the Government or any other organization, are struggling on their own. These small business owners face problems everyday and it is quite a struggle for them. To expand their business they try to satisfy the customers' demands to all extent. Food stalls, street vending, rickshaws-pulling, home baking and several other professions require hours of hard work and constant pressure to satisfy the demands of the customers. Although they work day and night and give their blood and sweat to the work, yet these small businesses are always victims of bargaining, disrespect and de-valuing of their work. Some people or customers don't value their work and make disrespectful comments. As customers, it is our responsibility to understand their situation without judging them. Street vendors who sell goods sit in the streets all day long to earn their living. They work without adopting any unfair methods to trick people, yet sometimes the customer behaves rudely with them. Come rain or shine, they work hard for their living. As customers, we need to be gentle and kind to towards them and with the work they are doing. Many women are engaged in businesses like home bakery and food stalls, which influence a lot of women in the society. Women are giving a new definition to the society and they are becoming financially independent nowadays though the start ups are small yet they are doing a great job and they deserve respect like every other profession gets.

Padmini Das, pdminirosi@gmail.com