Photo: Collected

DHAKA, May 16, 2026 (BSS) - In the quiet coastal upazila of Mirsarai, where women are often confined within traditional roles, JannatulNaima has stirred a different story — one jar at a time. 

A health worker by profession and the wife of a rural doctor, Naima transformed her passion for homemade pickles into a thrivingenterprise that now earns her nearly Taka 3 lakh annually alongside her regular job. 

Blending age-old recipes with determination and entrepreneurial spirit, she has not only added flavour to dining tables but also carved a name for herself as an inspiring rural woman entrepreneur. 

Her journey from hobbyist to award-winning pickle maker has already brought her several recognitions, making her a symbol of self-reliance and creativity in Chattogram’sMirsarai.

A row of pickle jars is arranged in a corner of her house.Raw mangoes are being boiled in a pot on the stove on one side.After a while, she added various ingredients including spices to it.Then she slowly stirred the pickle with a stick.

Alongside her profession, Naima prepares homemade pickles and markets them herself. What began as a small household initiative has now grown into a widely recognised brand across the upazila, with her pickles even reaching customers overseas.

Naima’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were exploring new ways to use their time productively. 

Inspired by the idea of doing something creative and independent, she started making pickles at home and promoting them through her Facebook account. The response was overwhelmingly positive. What started as a simple hobby soon transformed her into a successful entrepreneur.

Speaking to this correspondent, Naima said the COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to step into entrepreneurship. Drawing on skills she had learned from her family and later refining them through training provided by the Department of Agricultural Marketing, she formally began her pickle business.

What started as small-scale online sales has now grown steadily with rising demand. Her family members also play an active role in the enterprise.

Her husband helps source raw materials and spices from the market, while an assistant supports the preparation process. The ingredients are then carefully blended with selected spices to produce a variety of pickles.

Naima mainly prepares pickles from a variety of seasonal fruits and ingredients, including plums, tamarind, olives, mangoes, amla, chalta, amalaki and garlic.

She launched her business through a Facebook page titled ‘Naima’s Pickles’, where she initially took orders online. Over time, growing popularity enabled her to expand into direct sales as well.

In addition to online marketing, Naima regularly participates in government and private trade fairs to promote her products. Her pickles have also found an international market, with customers carrying them abroad to countries including Italy, England, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.

Naima’s initiative has also earned recognition from the upazila administration, making her a striking example of how determination and confidence can empower rural women to become financially independent.

Currently, she produces around 450 to 500 kilograms of pickles annually, earning nearly Tk 3 lakh each year from the business.

Reflecting on her journey, Naima said, “I have always loved both making and eating pickles. The free time during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired me to turn my passion into a business. Alongside my job, I continue this work with dedication and hard work.”

Her products have also gained official recognition after successfully passing quality inspections and receiving approvals from relevant authorities, including Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI).

Now an established entrepreneur, Naima also conducts pickle-making training sessions at various private institutions as well as government agencies, including the Department of Youth Development and the Department of Social Services.

In recognition of her success, she has received several awards and honours at both the district and upazila levels for her contribution to entrepreneurship.