Having an idea and the courage to do something but not knowing how exactly to go about doing it prevents many people from taking a step forward.
When it comes to business too, the situation is the same. Many aspiring entrepreneurs have an idea, but very often they do not know how to make their ideas translate into reality.
Noticing this struggle of many aspiring women entrepreneurs, the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE) came into existence. Founded by some of the super-achievers of that time, AWAKE had all the factors required to make a difference in society. Today, the organization stands tall, like a majestic tree, nurturing anybody who takes refuge under its shade.
Working specifically with women, AWAKE is changing the lives of women who want to make a new start. The majority of the women entrepreneurs hail from a humble background and they are mostly the first entrepreneurs in their families too. In such a case, venturing into untested waters can be all the scarier. However, thanks to AWAKE, the women are given wings to take off without bothering much about uncertainty.
Birth of WAKE
Most entrepreneurs start locally and then take it to the next level, but lack of awareness, guidance, and support causes a lot of damage. Even though the state government, the central government, various government agencies like NABARD, HUDCO, NAFED, etc have schemes to support first-time women entrepreneurs, the big challenge is making the eligible women utilize these schemes.
Taking note of the fact that the majority of women entrepreneurs never come across the information about the availability of these schemes, there was an urgent need for an organized effort to take the government projects to the women besides organizing them under a single umbrella to educate them, empower them, and provided market leads. Thus came into existence the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE) 38 years ago, when seven ‘super women’ decided to change the lives of other women wanting to be entrepreneurs.
Seven Powerful Women and one beginning!
It all started in December 1983 in the Garden City-Bengaluru. Seven women achievers of the state Madhura Chatrapathy, Kiran Majumdar, Lekha Chand, Shandrila Naidu, Indrajeet Sahani, Aban Minochar, and Supanya Datta came together to launch this platform with the primary objective to awaken women entrepreneurs. So, the organization was called ‘Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka-, AWAKE.’ It was serving many objectives as it was helping the women entrepreneurs to get contacts of the agencies, and government departments easily in the city.
The founders of this organization were already stalwarts of the industries by that time. They were known for their successful journey in the fields of industries, business, etc. According to the founders, the vision behind forming this organization was building a strong force of women entrepreneurs. These seven founders have changed the lives of thousands of women entrepreneurs through this organization and soon Karnataka made the world turn to it and learn lessons of women empowerment.
The life of these seven founders itself was the inspiration for the women from Karnataka. Because the seven women had already built business empires on their own.
Business counseling
Business counseling is one of the flagship programs of the AWAKE. In 1984, AWAKE started with Business Counseling as its main service offered to prospective women entrepreneurs. Words like Business Counseling were unheard of at that time. Through this initiative, the organization started helping women to become successful entrepreneurs. As the number of women approaching increased, the AWAKE expanded its services too. As the days passed, the organization started entrepreneurship development training. Which comprised the training and practical classes for aspiring women entrepreneurs. The training module was prepared by the women entrepreneurs who were aware of the challenges faced by the women at the time of launching a new firm.
Business counseling involves business ideas for freshers who want to start a business. They provide training in skills, interests, knowledge, experience, and financial capacity of the enthusiasts.
Along with this, the freshers are also provided hands-on information with the opportunities available in a specific field of business they wanted to start. Innovative ideas and converting them into business modules and achieving success, growth opportunities in an existing business. And information on access to finance opportunities, product/ service promotion and marketing, and networking.
Sector-specific counseling sessions are arranged on special days with prior information. Request-based special business counseling sessions are arranged in colleges to encourage students to venture into entrepreneurship. And group counseling sessions are conducted for women Self Help Groups and others.
Presently, the counseling sessions are conducted every Thursday between 2 pm and 5.30 pm. At the Business Counseling Centers of AWAKE in Bengaluru and other districts of the state.
Ahead of time
Skill development and Skill training are some concepts that one hears very often now a days. However, the founders of AWAKE had realized the importance of skill training 38 years ago and offered the same through the organization. When it came to networking too, the founders had realized the importance of networking in the 1980s.
Cruising through, the AWAKE had expanded its programs and has grown into being a support agency for women entrepreneurs. After establishing itself in Bengaluru, the AWAKE started having programs in other districts of the state. By the early 1990s, the organization started having events and empowerment programs in various parts of the state.
Idea generation labs
One of the unique programs of the AWAKE is the Idea Generation Labs. These labs are organized periodically. They are the brainstorming sessions, which help entrepreneurs discover new business opportunities available across all the sectors.
Presently Dr.Rajeswari.R is serving as the president of AWAKE.
