Ever wondered, when you had ordered your homely lunch from your nearby meal provider, as to who is running the show there? Or, who is rendering the beautician services in your neighborhood boutique? Or, who is behind the agency which is providing healthcare services to your ailing parent? You will truly be surprised to learn that quite a number of these enterprises are owned and managed by women!
They carry on their business and contribute to their home, society as well as the economy, nobody ever pausing for a moment to thing about them! It is here that one such entrepreneur, from The Naturals and the House of Brand Avatar, decided that the efforts of these unsung women should get some recognition and out of such decision was born THE HOMEPRENEUR AWARDS (Suyasakthi Virudhugal). These awards, which have run 2 successful editions, have created a platform to Recognize, Reward, Celebrate and Transform such home-based businesswomen who are carrying on diverse business activities from home starting from baking, tutoring, freelancing, beautician, writing, healthcare services to catering.
Considered under a dozen categories (Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Beauty & Wellness, Education, Food & Beverages, Home Professionals, Healthcare, Home Retail, Media Entertainment, Sports & Fitness and Social Welfare), these awards are finalized by the following panel of jury comprised of eminent women from multiple disciplines
Dr. Mariazeena Johnson – Pro Chancellor, Sathyabama University
Ms. Veena Kumaravel – Founder, Naturals Salon
Ms. Rohini Manian, CEO of Global Adjustments Services & Editor in Chief, Culturama Living
Ms. Aruna Subramaniam – Trustee Bhoomika Trust
Dr. Saundarya Rajesh – Founder-President, AVTAR Career Creators & FLEXI Careers India
Ms. Hema Rukmani – CEO, Thenandal Entertainment
Ms. Nina Reddy – Managing Director, Savera Hotels
Ms. Sushila Ravindranath – Journalist, Columnist and Author
Ms. Rinku Mecheri – Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Chennai Volunteers
Dr. Latha Rajan – Founder, Ma Foi Strategic Consultants
Ms. Lakshmi Ravichander – Founder of Event Art
Ms. Divya Sathyaraj – Nutritionist
Ms. Poornima Ramasamy, National Award Winning Costume Designer & Stylist cum Entrepreneur
The interesting numbers tell the success story and overwhelming popularity of these awards. The first two Seasons involved thousands of valid nominations from Tamil Nadu (both Offline and Online), shortlisting of 1800 nominations, one-on-one interviews with 300 entrepreneurs and finally shortlisting of over 90 women for the coveted awards. There have been workshops and consistent mentoring support from the Jury Members.
Announcing the 3rd Edition, where the registration process commences on 2nd July and closes on 10th Aug., followed by interviews starting from 23rd Aug., culminating in the colourful Awards Function on 15th Sep., Mr. Hemachandran, CEO of Brand Avatar mentioned that the most heartening aspect of two editions of Homepreneur Awards had not only been the recognition of them but also how Homepreneurs benefited from the engagement that happened beyond the awards. Their opportunities multiplied, networks increased and enriched their knowledge through the workshops conducted after the awards. The introduction of HOMEPRENEUR CIRCLE stems from this, it will go beyond the awards to help the homepreneurs.
Mr. C K Kumaravel, Co-founder of Naturals said “It has been an uplifting journey over two editions, my faith in the abilities and capabilities of women were re-affirmed seeing the dedication and the passion with which they pursue entrepreneurship. Season 3 of Homepreneur Awards will be even more inspiring with the addition of the student edition where the future entrepreneurs will come.” He also shared the other details of the Awards for the 3rd Edition, including the new intiatives, summarized hereunder. He also sought a continued extensive participation from the entrepreneurs across the State in the Awards Program.
Criteria for selection: Uniqueness of the business idea, Business Challenges faced by them, Scalability and Progress & Revenue
Process: The registrations go through an internal filtration before being called for a one on one interview with the jury members. The registration process is completely online and based on the “Criteria for Selection”, the eminent jury members evaluate and choose the winners from each category. The winners get awarded in the main event scheduled for 15th September.
NEW INITIATIVES OF HOMEPRENEUR AWARDS for SEASON 3:
HOMEPRENEUR CIRCLE: It will be an exclusive club for Homepreneurs to interact, network and meet with the best in the industry. Homepreneur Circle goes beyond the event to enable learning, growth for Homepreneurs and also help them in marketing and sales of their products. Being part of Homepreneur Circle enables them to
- Enlist their products on www.homepreneurawards.com \ www.suyasakthiawards.com
- Promote their products/services on our social media platform.
- Participate in the workshops organized by leaders of the industry
- Participate and interact in our Youtube show featuring the Jury members of Homepreneur Awards.
HOMEPRENEUR AWARDS – STUDENT EDITION – Homepreneur – Student Edition is an initiative of Homepreneur Awards to recognize and motivate college going girls for their passion for entrepreneurship. It is a platform for them to share their ideas for entrepreneurship, as to how they intend to start, execute and scale up. The most feasible and realistic ideas with clarity will be recognized. Student Edition seeks to enable and provide a platform for them to share their entrepreneurship aspirations and vision. Any college-going girl student is eligible for registering for the awards.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MAIN EVENT:
- Converging of all Homepreneurs for an inspirational night of awards and also to network with their fellow Homepreneurs.
- HOMEPRENEUR EXPO – More than 30 products that are natural, organic and made by Homepreneurs will be featured.
- Entertainment and celebrities to grace the occasion.
- Winners of the Homepreneur Awards – Student Edition also will be among the attendees.
About the Organisers:
BRAND AVATAR
Brand Avatar represented by its Founder CEO Mr. Hemachandran, is a branding and event management firm which over the last two years brought to life unique and magnificent events, the latest being PRIDE OF TAMILNADU AWARDS, FASHION PREMIER WEEK, etc.. Brand Avatar also delivers a fully integrated marketing communications program and Brand Management solutions for companies and individuals alike. Brand Avatar has undertaken this unique initiative called HOMEPRENEUR AWARDS that will create a platform for awarding women who are doing business from home to earn or augment their earning.
Brand Avatar also owns The Celebrity Badminton League, a new league (Sports + Entertainment) that was launched in Chennai in Jan 2016 and now a PAN-India property with season 1 held in 3 cities and Finals in Malaysia. Mr. Hemachandran is an active Angel Investor and member of THE CHENNAI ANGELS and INDIAN ANGELS NETWORK.
NATURALS: With 650 salons across India, all it took was one woman’s passion. This drove Naturals to become India’s No.1 hair and beauty salon.
At Naturals, they believe in financial independence for women and have empowered 300+ women to become entrepreneurs in the past 16 years. Naturals’ vision is to create a housewife-free India, where women are encouraged to earn their living by pursuing their passion. By 2020, Naturals aims to create 3000 salons, empower 1000 women entrepreneurs and create 50,000 jobs, because there is no better style statement than standing on your own feet.
