Jisan’s path to independence: Learning, earning, and leading

With entrepreneurship training under the ILO ISEC Project, Jannatul Neha Jisan turned her home-based sales into a thriving boutique in Cox’s Bazar. Today, she earns a steady income, trains local girls in fabric design, and pursues higher education, proving how skills and confidence can transform lives and communities.

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh -  At 28, Jannatul Neha Jisan looks back at a life that has not been easy, yet she carries a quiet strength that shows how far she has come. She grew up in a small village in Cox’s Bazar where her days were filled with household responsibilities. After finishing her Higher Secondary Certificate, she got married and soon became a mother of three. Her world revolved around caring for her daughters and son while her husband worked long hours as a small businessman. Even then, she held a dream in her heart. She wanted to stand on her own feet by opening a small enterprise.

To take the first step, she started selling clothes and accessories from home. She worked hard and hoped the business would grow, but profit was irregular and often too little. “I didn’t understand the financial side of business,” she said softly. “I wanted to grow but didn’t know where to start.”

For three years, she kept trying, even when things felt heavy. Then she heard about the BRAC’s PROMISE initiative which was mainly entrepreneurship training under the ISEC ptoject. This became a turning point. The training gave her more than skills. It gave her confidence. She learned how to plan a business, manage money, and talk to customers. Slowly, she began to see that her dream was possible.

With her savings and her husband’s later support, she took a bold step and opened her own boutique in Cox’s Bazar. “At first, my husband wasn’t supportive,” she said. “But when he saw that I was committed, he stood by me. Now he is my biggest supporter.”

Today, Jisan earns about 15,000 BDT every month by selling clothing and beauty products. For her, the income is more than money. It is a symbol of independence. It allows her to buy things for her children without asking anyone. “Being able to provide for them with my own earnings gives me a happiness I can’t put into words,” she said.

Jisan’s success is not just her own. She now trains several local girls in block printing and hand-painted fabric design. She wants them to feel the same strength and hope she found through skills and hard work. She believes that when a woman earns, her voice becomes stronger and her choices grow.

Despite managing a business and raising three children, Jisan has also returned to her studies. She is now pursuing a degree in Political Science at Cox’s Bazar City College. “It gets tough sometimes,” she said with a smile. “But I enjoy studying and running my business. My family’s support helps me keep going.”

Looking ahead, she dreams of turning her boutique into a larger fashion house. More than anything, she wants to inspire other women in her community to believe in themselves and follow their goals, even if the road starts small.