Guwahati: In a world buzzing with stories of unconventional entrepreneurs like MBA Chaiwala and BTech Pani Puri Wali, the tale of 34-year-old Alemoon Nessa from Abhayapuri, Assam, stands out. Alemoon, an MBA graduate, swapped corporate ambitions for a thriving business in pickle-making, proving that success comes from a blend of vision and resourcefulness rather than cutting-edge technology or lofty aspirations. Starting her business with Rs. 8 lakh, the company runs with an impressive annual revenue of Rs. 1.2 crore with a 30 per cent profit.
Alemoon’s journey, shared with Business North East (BNE), is a testament to identifying local opportunities and leveraging available resources. Her flagship product—homemade pickles—has become a household name, complemented by a growing range of spices. “Per batch, we produce 100 kg of pickles daily,” said Alemoon, who offers 38 varieties, including mango, tamarind, and olive pickles.
Alemoon’s commitment to quality has earned her multiple accolades. “As a micro-industry entrepreneur, I have made significant progress. I’ve taken a local product to the global market,” she said. Her journey began in 2015, with commercial production starting in 2016. Initially focusing on spices, she shifted her attention to pickles, driven by market demand.
Launching her business with a Rs. 2.5 lakh loan under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Alemoon later infused an additional Rs. 5 lakh from her savings. Her operations now include nine permanent employees and 30 unskilled workers, all sourced locally. Despite delegating production tasks, Alemoon remains hands-on with quality control.
Alemoon credits her success to skill development programs offered by institutions like the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI).
Her achievements include prestigious awards such as the National Entrepreneurship Award (2019) from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, Best Entrepreneurship Award (2020) by the District Administration, Bongaigaon, Government of Assam, Excellence Service Award (2020) from the National Human Rights and Grievance Commission, Guwahati, National MSME Award (2022) — first in the women’s category at All India, Northeast, and Overall categories, Prag Prerona Award (2023) from Prag AM Technologies Private Limited, UBUNTU Star Award (2024) in the Gold Category for scaling operations to other states, presented by the state of Karnataka.
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Alemoon’s journey reached a new milestone in 2019 when she received her first national award from the Ministry of Skill Development, representing the Northeast as a micro-entrepreneur. Today, her products are exported to Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Alemoon Nessa, received her first national award in 2019 from the
Ministry of Skill Development, representing the Northeast as a micro-entrepreneur
Looking ahead, Alemoon has set her sights on international markets beyond Asia by 2026. “The more we research, the further we can go,” she shared during the BNE interview. Her participation in global programs and ongoing product testing signals a bold vision for expansion.
Alemoon’s business journey highlights the power of determination and innovation. By transforming locally sourced materials into globally appealing products, she has not only created a successful business but set an example for all, demonstrating that sometimes, the simplest ideas can have the most profound impact.
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