Real experiences, published anonymously and with permission.
A student entrepreneur in Dhaka, in a Prothom Alo report
Digital & B2B servicesDhaka
A Facebook fashion business started with 5,000 taka in January 2022. The first 5-dollar ad, in February, brought in 800 taka; monthly profit now tops 150,000 taka with 17 staff.
A freelancer in Narail, in a Prothom Alo report
Digital & B2B servicesNarail
A former mason began learning computer work in 2013 and started professionally on platforms in 2016. His first job paid 3,500 taka a month; freelancing now brings 2-2.5 lakh.
A freelancer in Fulbari, Dinajpur, in a Prothom Alo report
Digital & B2B servicesDinajpur
Learning began in 2012 and the first money came about a year later: 90 dollars for winning a logo contest. The monthly income is now around 16,000 US dollars, with seven people on the team.
A woman graphic designer in Khagrachhari, in a Prothom Alo report
Digital & B2B servicesKhagrachhari
A first job worth 13 US dollars in December 2021 has grown into about 1 lakh taka a month of design work, plus a training centre that has taught around 500 women.
A freelancer in Pirojpur, in a Prothom Alo report
Digital & B2B servicesPirojpur
Started by saving the 50 taka a day meant for breakfast to buy internet data, working at 100 taka an hour while learning; the income is now about 10 lakh taka a month with 20 young people on the team.
An online writer in Sunamganj, in a Prothom Alo report
Digital & B2B servicesSunamganj
Writing in English online alongside a college job: 3,000 taka in the first 10-15 days, and about 2 lakh taka a month now with a team of four.
A laundry owner in Chattogram, in a Prothom Alo report
Home & local servicesChattogram
The son has run his father's laundry since 1984. Thirty-eight unbroken years of paying income tax brought him an award as one of Chattogram's best long-term taxpayers for 2021-22.
A woman entrepreneur in Barishal, in a bdnews24 Bangla report
Home & local servicesBarishal
She began in 1992 with no capital, only her craft skills. A bank loan came in 2012, and the business now holds 25 lakh taka of capital with 21 permanent staff.
A young beautician in Tangail, in a Dhaka Prokash 24 report
Home & local servicesTangail
Alongside her honours degree she does home parlour work and bridal makeup, earning 25,000-30,000 taka a month. The training was just 12 days.
A woman parlour owner in Dhaka, in a Share Business24 report
Home & local servicesDhaka
She started on 20,000 taka borrowed from her brother, while a three-month course alone cost 30,000. Planned in 2006, registered and expanded in 2009.
A woman parlour owner in Shariatpur, in a BSS report
Home & local servicesShariatpur
Built from her own savings, then expanded with a 60,000-taka loan. The parlour now has five regular staff and brings in over 40,000 taka a month.
The founder of a phone repair chain in Dhaka, in a Prothom Alo report
Home & local servicesDhaka
Five branches across Dhaka shopping centres and 50-60 technicians, all paid on commission rather than salary. The national phone repair market is put at about 3,000 crore taka.
