Sophia Jaipuri: Empowering the Women of Udaipur

Udaipur, February 2, 2026 - Sophia Jaipuri of Udaipur is an artist-entrepreneur driven by a powerful vision of women’s empowerment through skill, dignity and financial independence. What began with training her own house help has grown into a purpose-led enterprise - Batul’s Creation by Sophia - that uplifts underprivileged women by enabling them to earn from home. Through free training in art and crafts, Sophia provides women not just work, but confidence and stability. Backed recently by a government grant, her initiative blends creativity, social impact and entrepreneurship to build a model where handmade skills become a pathway to self-reliance for those constrained by social, familial or economic barriers.

Batul’s Creation by Sophia helps the underprivileged women of Udaipur achieve financial independence without leaving their homes. By transforming traditional crafts and recycled fabrics into market-ready products, Sophia creates a sustainable livelihood model for these women by turning their talent into income and redefining their lives.

Razia Sanwari of UdaipurTimes (UT) caught up Sophia Jaipuri (SJ) to find out more about her dream and of the passion that drives her startup - Batul's Creation by Sophia.

UT: What motivated you to launch your startup?

SJ: I have always been driven with this passion to use my skills to guide women who need more empowerment. To help underpriviliged women achieve financial stability. I believe that if a woman is economically secure, she can face all kinds of challenges. I want to provide such women a platform to showcase their skills and earn through them. Many of them do not want to leave their homes to earn a living for multiple reasons - social boundaries, family restrictions or personal commitments. Yet, they want to be able to earn while at home. I work with such women. I give them training, enhance their skills and then give them work.

UT: What specific problem are you trying to solve by helping these underprivileged women?

SJ: For many underprivileged women, the biggest problem is how to generate income. They do not have particular skills which will allow them to go out and get work. For them, the only option is to earn as domestic help. This is their sole source of income and is never enough. So, they want to supplement their meagre income but don’t know how. Since they work the morning hours, they are free in the evening. I guide them by providing free training in the evenings in those skills which will help generate additional income.

In fact, in this initiative, I first started with my house help.

Unfortunately, from among the women I work with, at least 85% of their men spend what they earn on personal interests and drink. This leaves the women with the responsibility of running the household for which they need additional income. I help these women overcome their financial burden by training them in skills which will bring in the money. Only thing is that they should be willing to learn. 

UT: Who are the people you work with?

SJ: Most of these women are from the kachchi basti near my house. Plus there is my domestic help and some women from the Bohra community who are financially challenged but have the skills to earn. I channelise their skills with my guidance and and give them work. I provide them raw material and then buy their finished products.

UT: What art forms do you focus on?

SJ: Different types. Fabric recycling is my latest focus. Often we throw away leftover fabric pieces, thus cluttering the environment because they are not easily disposable. I train my workers to create usable and sustainable products from such fabric pieces.

Other than this, I train them in hand embroidery, fabric painting, crochet, creating resin and different handicraft items. All handmade items.

UT: What happens to the finished products? How do you sell them?

SJ: We advertise these products either through social media or exhibit them at sales held locally. We have repeat customers and get new customers through references. Our business website is currently in the process of being developed. Once that is up, we will then advertise our products through it. So, someone wanting to buy a gift item or anything for their house, calls me and tells me their budget and the occasion. I provide them the item accordingly. I have a lot of options for gifting purpose. I also customise gifts as per the buyer’s budget.

UT: Is your startup funded - grants, sales, partnerships, donations?

SJ: It is now funded by the government. Recently I got a grant - two months ago - from iStart Rajasthan. But, when I first launched my project, it was a bootstrapped startup. I initiated my investment by digging into my savings. Now, with the government aid I have gained a lot of support and my projects have gotten smoother and faster.

UT: So, how did you generate investment fund when you first started out?

SJ: I initially started with generating income through the sale of my hand-crafted items at local exhibitions. And then through references, social media and by word-of-mouth, I created a customer base. Gradually, the demand grew and revenue picked up.

UT: Financially, how do you see yourself now?

SJ: Earlier, with a bootstrapped startup, I had to work within limitations. But the government grant has given me major backing. I am able to focus more on marketing and raw material procurement has become easier. It has now become easy to channelise everything.

UT: What kind of partners or support would help your startup the most now?

SJ: Workforce. This is key if we want to grow. Because our items are custom-made and handmade, therefore we need more people to speed up production - meet the continuous demand - and thereby, extend the benefits to all involved.

UT: What changes have you seen in participants’ lives so far?

SJ: Now they have work all the time because we have constant orders. They have got a platform for their skills. And importantly, they have not only acquired financial stability but also achieved confidence. Without leaving their homes, they are now able to earn  and support their family. 

UT: What is your immediate challenge?

SJ: Retaining the workforce is my biggest challenge. Of my original staff, I have been able to retain only 10-12%. New ones join, work for some time and then leave. Lack of sincerity and commitment is a common drawback.

UT: How has the society benefitted from your programme?

SJ: My workers come from the underprivileged class and are mainly those who are in need of money but have no formal education. My startup has helped them become financially secure, improved their lifestyle and given a big boost to their confidence.

UT: Can you tell us about any other activities you are involved in currently? 

SJ: I am a certified art-and-craft expert teacher for Pidilite Fevicryl. I conduct art-and craft sessions in schools and colleges in Udaipur, introducing latest trends in this format. I provide free training towards the students’ skill development which also act as a stress buster.

UT: How are you looking at the future?

SJ: I want to expand my market not only locally and nationally but even internationally. I want Batul’s Creation by Sophia to grow by including more people with similar goals… bring on more women who are needy and are looking for a platform to earn. I am looking to expand my workforce…. more skill development classes and more training for women. I want to give my workers a platform to grow.

Sophia’s journey has taken a giant leap with Batul’s Creation by Sophia which is rooted in compassion, creativity and community. And her growing venture stands as a testament to how art can drive empowerment and lasting social change.

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