Real experiences, published anonymously and with permission.
A fishing-bait maker in the Thakurmara area of Rajshahi, a young man who returned from abroad
Retail & wholesaleRajshahi
A young man from Rajshahi began in 2018 when an amateur angler sent him Tk 2,000 to make baits. His home-premises factory now makes 14 types of bait, sold across Bangladesh and exported to several countries.
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A young dairy farmer in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, with a master's degree
Agriculture & farmingCox's Bazar
A young man from Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, chose a dairy farm over a job after his master's degree. Starting with two animals, his farm now has 20 cattle and leaves about Tk 11 lakh a year after costs.
A couple producing nuru, moa and village snacks in Uttara, Dhaka
Food processingDhaka
A couple in Uttara began in 2010 with Tk 92,000 of savings, packing and selling nuru, moa and other village snacks. They later got their own factory, machines and international certificates, but rising raw-material prices now make it hard to keep going.
The owner of a biryani and pulao shop in Naogaon town
Food processingNaogaon
A biryani and pulao shop in Naogaon town began with dal, roti and tea. After a first batch of pulao from 2 kg of rice in 1980 sold out, it grew step by step and now employs 22 people.
A toy-bird maker and seller from Keshabpur, Jashore
Retail & wholesaleJashore
A craftsman from Keshabpur, Jashore, has made foam toy birds for 17 years. Selling them wholesale at Tk 7 each, he keeps Tk 60-65 thousand a month after costs. After failing at other businesses he settled on this one.
A homemaker in Rangunia, Chattogram, selling ground spices online
Food processingChattogram
A homemaker in Rangunia started selling ground spices on Facebook with Tk 8,000 saved during Covid. She now has over 500 regular buyers and has sold at least Tk 40 lakh worth of goods.
A returned-migrant quail farmer and hatchery owner in Sakhipur, Tangail
Agriculture & farmingTangail
A returned migrant in Sakhipur started a quail farm in 2012 with 500 chicks. After Covid losses he opened a hatchery in 2023 and now sells about 2 lakh chicks a month, earning Tk 3-5 lakh.
A lemon farmer in Shalikha upazila, Magura
Agriculture & farmingMagura
A farmer in Shalikha, Magura, planted 250 seedless lemon saplings in early 2019 at a first-year cost of about Tk 1 lakh. Fruiting from the next year, he now sells about Tk 10,000 of lemons a week.
A young farm-product entrepreneur from Baraigram, Natore
Digital & B2B servicesNatore
A young man from Natore started selling mangoes online in 2017 with just Tk 600 and now sells over 300 products through four outlets with 47 staff, about Tk 1 crore a month. One outlet had to close during Covid.
A phone and electrical repairer with a disability in Chattogram
Home & local servicesChattogram
A man with a disability in Chattogram learned phone and electric fan repair while working in shops and has supported his family for about 15 years from a temporary footpath stall. With little capital he holds little stock and cannot expand.
A woman dairy farmer in Begumganj, Noakhali
Agriculture & farmingNoakhali
A homemaker in Noakhali started by selling gold earrings for Tk 50,000 to buy one Friesian cow; the farm now has 60 animals and four workers and nets about Tk 1 lakh a month. Covid, floods and feed prices have squeezed income.
A young fish farmer in Mirsarai
Agriculture & farmingChattogram
A young man in Mirsarai began fish farming on 30 decimals in 2019 with Tk 1.5 lakh from selling his mother's jewellery. After a Covid loss he recovered, added biofloc, and now earns about Tk 1 lakh a month.