DON’T WAIT FOR THE TEA BAG TO BE DIPPED IN HOT WATER

It was 1993, when Revathi a housewife was living happily with her husband and kids. One day her husband decided to start his own business and took loan from his friends and banks to start up his venture. It was the 7th week of his business when he passed away and left Revathi and kids with only debt and debt of millions. It was the funeral of Revathi’s husband when the banker’s knocked her door and gave her a notice that his husband has to pay so much of money to the bank. Even the friends started asking back for the money. Revathi was already in shock of her life and financially they were not so stable that she can pay back the amount as her husband just started his venture. When she told the same to bankers, they told her that if she can’t pay it her children have to pay it. She was terrified and her world shook. ‘They are 11 and 14.How do you expect them to pay?’ She Said. The banker’s asked her and her children to sign a bond that when they start earning, they have to pay the loan amount back to the bank and till that time bank will continue charging the interest. But, later on it will be more of a bonded labor for her kids. In another week after her husband left her she got another setback for her children. The banker’s asked her tiny kids to sign that bond from those lovely cute hands. She was extremely hurt by this- I could see it in her eyes when she said that. She decided to plunge in and take control of the business herself. First day she went and called up her manager to discuss on the business. He told on her face that you won’t be able to handle it. She said nothing to him and just asked the details. She was supposed to pay 10 Million INR to the bankers in 5 years and she paid it off in just a year. It was a shock for all – her manager, bankers, relatives and people who discouraged her. Her husband just started the venture and she took it to different level. That was 1993 and now in 2013 her major product – Electronic digital meters to record the electricity bill is in each and every house across INDIA. She is the most inspiring and courageous lady I have personally met ever.
I met her at an entrepreneur's meeting hosted by 'Fab women in Business- A UK based Magazine' few days back and asked her that how she managed it all and what were her challenges faced. She said the biggest challenge she faced was that nobody believed in her for the same venture which her husband was running. Everybody supported and appreciated him but not her. She snapped on every ones face back with a big bang. But, the most beautiful thing about her is the way she treats people at work or her clients. From her clients to her watchman, she will make sure that everybody feels special. ‘I always ask my peon that how is his wife. At times even I will get him Idli –Sambhar (an Indian dish made of rice and lentils)’. She will make sure to send flowers and chocolates to all her clients and workers as well on their birthdays. These small little things which anybody generally ignores can be taken care of only by a woman. She is running a multi-millionaire business and taking care of everything one can ever imagine of personally. When she needs to be strict, she will blow off the heads and CEO’s and teaches them a lifelong lesson. At the same time, she will pamper her employees and clients with flowers, cake and homemade food. I was deeply touched and inspired and realized the power of a woman.
Today She trains other women in India to become successful entrepreneurs. She runs her business , takes care of her family, an crucial role in AWAKE(Association of women entrepreneurs of Karnataka) and each and every role of her life is flawless. She is flawless. Hats off to her.
It is very rightly said that "A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." I am sharing this experience here to tell all my sisters of world pulse and everywhere else that please don't wait for the tea bag to be dipped in hot water. You have it in you; we all have it deep down somewhere. Unleash it and come out shining in this beautiful world.