Married at just 13, Reshma Akhter from Bagerhat, Bangladesh, defied the odds to become a successful entrepreneur. After raising her children and completing her education, she started a small business producing apple cider vinegar during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With support from the EU-funded Skills 21 project, Reshma attended entrepreneur development training by the International Labour Organization (ILO). There, she learned essential skills such as trademarking, market expansion, and dealership setup. These tools helped her grow her brand and expand her operations across Bangladesh.
I have come to this position in my life beyond the child marriage. With the entrepreneurship development training I have learned ways to increase the range of my business. Now, little by little, I will apply those tips to grow my own company. This is why I will be able to create employment for skilled people. Because I have come this far by using my own skills.
Reshma Akhter’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and hope. Born in Bagerhat, in southern Bangladesh, Reshma was married at just 13. By 17, she was a mother of two, raising her children while navigating the challenges of early marriage. Determined to create a better future for herself and her family, she waited until her children were older to restart her education and successfully completed an open university course.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reshma identified a unique opportunity in the market. She noticed that apple cider vinegar, valued for its health benefits, was mostly imported and sold at high prices. Conducting market research, she realised a gap for affordable, locally produced options. Starting small, she began making apple cider vinegar at home and selling it to friends and family. Her product quickly gained popularity, inspiring her to expand her business.
Through a Facebook group, Reshma discovered an entrepreneur development training course at the Institute of Marine Technology in Bagerhat. The training was part of the EU-funded Skills 21 project, implemented by the ILO, which aims to improve technical and vocational education in Bangladesh. Reshma eagerly enrolled with a friend and found the course transformative.
The training provided her with step-by-step guidance on becoming an entrepreneur. She learned how to trademark her product, handle legal paperwork, obtain certification from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), and establish dealerships. With this knowledge, Reshma officially launched her business, naming it Tahseen Food Industry, after her eldest son.
Today, Reshma’s business is thriving. She has set up an office and factory in Bagerhat and is working to establish dealerships in major cities, including Dhaka, Khulna, Chittagong, and Sylhet. Her target is to produce 3,000 bottles of apple cider vinegar per month, with plans to expand further once her BSTI certification is finalised.
Reshma’s success also has a ripple effect. She is creating employment opportunities in her community, prioritising women workers as part of her commitment to empowerment.
The Skills 21 project, a collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh, the ILO, and the EU, addresses a critical need for equitable and quality technical education in a country where two million people join the workforce annually. By fostering a competency-based and market-driven training system, the project is helping individuals like Reshma acquire skills to meet labor market demands, enhance productivity, and drive inclusive economic growth.
Reshma’s story is a powerful example of how access to education, training, and support can transform lives. By overcoming the challenges of early marriage and limited resources, she has built a successful business, empowered her community, and inspired others to dream big and take action.