Photo : File Photo

DHAKA, Dec 19, 2025 (BSS) - Social platforms reshape society and people’s lives, enabling many people to improve their livelihoods and even become successful entrepreneurs through social networking sites such as Facebook.

One such example is Bilkis Ara Mukta. On August 19, 2019, her son posted a photo of the food prepared by his mother on Facebook, which many people assumed was for sale. Gradually, food orders began to pour in. Though initially hesitant, Mukta—now a female entrepreneur—could not turn anyone away. What began as a hobby of cooking and delivering food soon turned into a journey she has never looked back from.

Mukta said, “I feel more comfortable giving my children homemade food. That’s why I always tried to make something new. My children also enjoy eating homemade food.”

Recalling the beginning of her journey, she said, “One day, my son posted a photo of the food I had made on his Facebook page. Some people assumed the food was for sale and began placing orders. I continued cooking and delivering the food, initially as a hobby. Gradually, I gained many customers, and then I realized it wouldn’t be a bad idea to turn it into a business.”

Mukta said she started the business with a capital of just Tk 3,000, which has now grown to an investment of over Tk 300,000. “My monthly income is around Tk 40,000 to Tk 50,000. I have six assistants, and there are four delivery men,” she added.

She said she prepares a wide variety of food items. “My menu has around 100 items, including khichuri, biryani and pulao. There are also different types of pitha, especially nakshi pitha, golap pitha, dimer pitha, bhampa pitha and mera pitha.”

Mukta said her homemade dry food has been sent via courier to around 50 to 60 districts across the country.

“The workload is slightly higher during the winter season, as there are many orders for different types of pitha. That’s why the profit is a bit higher at that time. However, I try to sell with a small profit so that customers do not suffer. Now, I have several regular customers,” she said.

“The path to getting this far has never been smooth. I have heard many harsh words from people. Everyone used to ask why I studied so much and earned a master’s degree if I had to sell food,” Mukta said.

However, she said she has always received strong support from her family—her husband, two sons and a daughter.

“I used to live in Feni. I always tried to prepare healthy food for my children, and I want to prepare good and high-quality food for others as well,” she said.

She has also adopted a slogan for her business—‘Safe Food, Safe Life’. “I try to buy the best ingredients available in the market and prepare food with them. That’s why the price is slightly higher. The name of my food page on Facebook is ‘Foods at Door’,” Mukta added.

She said she also participates in various fairs in addition to delivering food.

Mukta has received several awards, including the Best Female Entrepreneur Award from the Youth Foundation, the Trusted Seller Award from the Feni Women’s Chat Group, the Women Entrepreneur Award from Feni Women’s Welfare, and the Lakhpati Award from Women and E-Commerce.

“Earlier, I was dependent on my husband. Now I am self-reliant and can support my family. This gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. Many girls and women in our society remain idle despite having talents. If they use their abilities, unemployment in society will be reduced significantly,” she said.