Meet women, who left house at 10, did tailoring, started with Rs 5000 built Rs 8,244 crore business, now supplier of Zara, Walmart, H&M

She started her business with mere investment of Rs.5000, and faced opposition at various levels still did not give up.

This story goes back to the pre-independence era, when women did not have as much freedom as they have now. A girl who was forced to marry at the age of 16 and was working as a tailor in a factory, built a Rs.8000 Crores business can be seen as impossible now. But this girl did it and now she is a supplier to big brands like H&M, Zara, and Walmart. Along with herself she employed thousands of other women and made them financially independent. Now she is an inspiration to thousands of women.

Sarla Ahuja Struggle From Childhood

Sarla Ahuja, was born into an ordinary family. After migrating to India from Pakistan, Sarla’sfaced major struggles at every phase of life. At just 10 years old, she had to leave her home due to the Partition of India. Despite the pain of displacement, Sarla remained hopeful. 

Due to her family’s financial struggles, she had to work from a very young age and took up a job as a tailor in a factory. At 16, she got married, but left her job due to growing responsibilities. However, Sarla didn’t give up. After two years of hard work and saving, she launched Shahi Exports in 1974 with just Rs 5,000.

From Rs 5,000 to Rs 8000 Crore

Sarla’s story began in Ranjit Nagar, Delhi, with an initial investment of just Rs 5,000.  Sarla Ahuja’s success story began in the 1970s in Ranjit Nagar, Delhi. Sarla faced numerous challenges in the early days of her business. Sarla was also committed to empowering women at a time when their freedom was limited. She would go to nearby slums, encouraging women to work with her, but faced huge opposition from the people over there.

Despite complaints from neighbors and the pressure of work, she persisted. She often had to stay up all night to fulfill orders. As the business grew, she expanded her market to Europe and the U.S. 

Shahi Exports, founded by Sarla Ahuja, became India’s largest apparel manufacturer in the 1970s. Today, the company employs 115,000 people and operates 51 factories across India. With a turnover exceeding Rs 8,000 crore, Shahi Exports sells to renowned brands like Walmart, Gap Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch, PVH, Kohl’s, H&M, and Target.

Sarla Empowered  75,000 Women

In the 1990s, Sarla’s sons, Sunil and Harish Ahuja, joined the business, helping it expand further. However, Sarla’s aim was not just profit; she was passionate about women’s empowerment. In 2007, Shahi Exports became the first company to pilot the ‘Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (PACE)’ program with Gap Inc. This program teaches women essential skills like communication, time management, decision-making, and financial literacy. So far, over 75,000 women have benefited from the initiative.

Over the years, she grew Shahi Exports into a business empire worth Rs 8,244 crore. More than 86,000 women are employed by Shahi Exports, adding to the company’s success.

Today, Shahi Exports has 51 factories across the country and employs over 115,000 people. Sarla Ahuja always prioritized both people and the environment. 

Sarla Ahuja’s Retirement 

At the age of 88, Sarla Ahuja has retired from the business, but her story remains an inspiration to many. Her journey from humble beginnings to creating a billion-dollar empire, all while empowering thousands of women, will continue to motivate future generations.