DHAKA, May 19, 2026, (BSS) - Marufa Akter Swarna has transformed her dream into one of the country’s growing fashion brands, overcoming social barriers, family opposition and personal struggles along the way.

In the busy urban life of Dhaka, countless business initiatives emerge every day while many dreams fade away. But some stories stand apart — stories where adversity, neglect and mental pressure are overcomed through determination and resilience. One such inspiring story is about Marufa Akter Swarna, founder of the fashion brand “Color Craze.”

Swarna was a third-year student at the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Jahangirnagar University when she started her business in 2014. Her initial capital was a Taka 20,000 loan taken from a samity in the capital.

“I wanted to have my own identity — something built through my own hard work,” she said.

However, the journey into entrepreneurship was far from easy. Her family had different expectations. Her parents wanted her to become a BCS cadre officer and banker. But Swarna remained determined to pursue business.

Her decision created an unspoken conflict within the family. She was socially isolated within her circle, and relatives looked down upon her decision. Even after marriage, she faced similar obstacles.

The pressure gradually affected her mentally, pushing her into depression. But ultimately, her determination kept her moving forward, and that same determination later became the foundation of her success.

Swarna’s venture, ‘Color Craze’, began with a single saree. Her first product was a saree designed by herself.

Many of her saree designs carry distinctive names such as Sanchari, Rokeya, Kadambini, Jyotirmoyee, Indubala, Tiyana and Irabati. These names are not merely labels but stories — some inspired by her mother’s name, some by memories of loved ones, and others dedicated to distinguished women.

Today, “Color Craze” has become an established brand. The company operates three showrooms in Uttara, Dhanmondi and Bailey Road in Dhaka, along with a studio and display zone. It also has a full-fledged factory in Mirpur-12.

The scale of Swarna’s business can be measured by its monthly expenses. Rent for the factory and showrooms, along with salaries for nearly 50 employees, now costs more than Tk 1.45 million per month.

Despite the large expenditures, she remains satisfied because she reinvests most of the profits back into the business. Gradually expanding the company remains her primary goal.

Swarna said she personally spent Taka 150,000 on her own wedding and has also booked an apartment in Dhaka with her own earnings. Currently, she has no outstanding bank loans, which she considers one of her major achievements as an entrepreneur.

The family that once opposed her decisions has now become her strongest support system. Her father currently oversees the factory, while her husband, Zobayer Bin Habib, has stood beside her from the beginning. He now manages the company’s financial transactions and photography work.

This family support has become one of Swarna’s greatest strengths.

Another significant chapter in Swarna’s life is motherhood. Their only son, Alisher Zobayer Shuddho, is now three years old.

Even during pregnancy, she continued running her business. She traveled to Narsingdi, Manikganj and Tangail to collect fabrics. Remarkably, she was still selling products through live online sessions just one day before giving birth.

Only 29 days after childbirth, she returned to work. She travelled to markets and business hubs with her son. Though the experience was challenging, she said, adding she never neglected her child.

“Career and motherhood can both be managed together if there is enough determination,” she said.

Alongside her business, Swarna remains conscious about her mental health and regularly attends counseling sessions. She believes mental preparation is essential before difficult times arrive. This awareness helped her navigate challenging periods in life and business.

In 2025, her business faced a major crisis when an employee was found responsible for a financial discrepancy amounting to Taka 2.2 million. She struggled significantly to manage the situation but eventually succeeded in recovering the money.

One of the major characteristics of Swarna’s business is her commitment to local products. Around 98 percent of the products sold by her company are locally sourced. However, to maintain international standards, some fabrics are imported from abroad.

Marufa Akter Swarna believes Bangladeshi products can compete in international markets if quality and design standards are maintained properly.

Swarna does not want to limit “Color Craze” to the domestic market alone. Her dream is to expand internationally. She hopes to establish showrooms in countries including Thailand and create separate designs tailored for foreign buyers.

To achieve this goal, she is preparing herself further, especially by focusing on improving designs and marketing strategies according to international market demands.