At 70,
Chandraprabha Parihar’s life is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to rediscover a passion and turn it into a thriving venture. Her story, shared by Humans of Bombay, of swapping a life of quiet homemaking for one of
creative entrepreneurship inspires countless others to embrace their dreams, regardless of age. Chandraprabha's love for crafting began at 14, when she learned sewing at school and created frocks for her sisters. However, her creative pursuits took a backseat when she married at 19. The sewing machine was replaced with her kids’ strollers, and her time was dedicated to raising her family.
Despite the shift, Chandraprabha found ways to keep her passion alive. She taught herself
crochet from magazines, crafting sweaters for her children and later for her grandchildren. But as her family grew up and her responsibilities lessened, she found herself yearning for purpose. Free time became a burden as she filled her days with reorganizing cupboards and experimenting with new recipes.
A New Beginning
The turning point came in 2022, when her daughter requested to learn crochet. Chandraprabha spent hours making a bag, which amazed her family. The bag caught the attention of others, and soon, she received her first request to create a custom piece. The satisfaction of delivering that product and the recipient’s joy ignited her passion for crochet once again.
Chandraprabha began watching tutorials on YouTube, creating intricate designs, and in just a year, she had made over 60 unique products. Her work did not go unnoticed, and her daughter-in-law, Swati, suggested she turn her hobby into a business.
The Birth of a Brand: Nayher
With Swati’s support, Chandraprabha launched her small business, "Nayher." The name reflects the love and nostalgia associated with
handmade products crafted by mothers and grandmothers in the past.
Nayher offers crochet accessories and home décor items, infused with the warmth of homemade care.
Swati played a pivotal role in establishing Nayher’s presence on Instagram, sharing videos of Chandraprabha crafting her products and posing with her creations. At first, the orders trickled in slowly, but the turning point came when they received a large order from Australia. Despite the tight deadline, Chandraprabha dedicated herself entirely to fulfilling the request, and her work was so well-received that the client reordered.
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From there, orders began pouring in, and Nayher grew into a venture that brought joy and purpose to Chandraprabha’s life.
Empowering Others Along the Way
Nayher’s success wasn’t just personal for Chandraprabha; it became a way to uplift others. Inspired by her work, other women reached out, expressing a desire to learn and join her efforts. Today, Nayher provides opportunities for six women, enabling them to earn through their craft.
What netizens said
Netizens have been pouring in their admiration and support for the 70-year-old grandmother turned entrepreneur. Many praised her exquisite crochet work, expressing how much they loved her creativity and craftsmanship. People wished her success in her new venture and were inspired by her story. Others shared how her journey has encouraged them to pick up crochet themselves, calling her a true inspiration. The overwhelming response was filled with positivity, encouragement, and a collective hope for her continued success. Her journey has become a beacon of motivation, proving that age is no barrier to starting something new and impactful.