December 2025
Namaste, Dear Readers,
I would like to share a learning from my journey of running a small business for the past 15 months with WAWCAS. Recently, I learned something new called “business clean-up.” When I first heard this term, I was confused. To me, clean-up meant cleaning our homes. I never imagined that a business also needs cleaning.
Deepak explained it in a very simple way. He said that business clean-up means carefully reviewing everything we have done so far before making plans for the next three years. It is a time to pause, look back, and learn.
The next day, during a business visit, I was asked to review my business over the past few months. Honestly, I felt nervous. I had never reviewed my business like this before. But with his gentle guidance, I slowly started to look at my sales, expenses, daily work, successes, and even my mistakes. At first, it felt confusing, but his questions helped me think clearly:
- How many pigs did you start with?
- How many do you have now?
- Were they healthy and vaccinated?
- What kind of feed did you use, and how much did it cost?
- Where did you sell them, and were you satisfied with the price?
- Did this business support your family?
As I answered, I began to see my journey clearly. I started with just two pigs and sold them directly in the market. The demand for pig meat was high. My pigs remained healthy, I used local feed, and my costs were low. Most importantly, the profit helped my family—improving our housing, ensuring food security, and supporting my children’s education.
This review was eye-opening. It helped me understand what worked well and what I need to improve. More than numbers, it gave me confidence, clarity, and courage to plan for the future. I realized that business clean-up is not only about checking records—it is about learning from our experience, making better decisions, and growing step by step.
In this group, I want to say to every woman running a small business: Please take time to review your work. Keep what helps you grow and gently let go of what does not. This small and simple step can bring big changes—not only in your business, but also in your life.