How One Woman Turned Job Loss at 52 Into a Handmade Brand Earning Lakhs

Jan 16, 2026, 12:00 PM

The impact

Tohfa empowers women artisans while bringing sustainable, plastic-free home and personal products to customers. It is the brainchild of Manjusha Javier (60), who turned to her sewing machine after losing her job in 2016.

The origin story

After losing her job at the age of 52, Manjusha rediscovered her passion for stitching, long neglected in her busy life. A conversation with her daughter made her realise she could turn her hobby into a meaningful business.

What they built

Tohfa is a brand creating fabric-based home decor, pouches, laptop sleeves, and personalised gifts. It blends craftsmanship, sustainability, and creativity, giving life to both traditional skills and modern designs.

How the model works

By selling handcrafted, eco-friendly products, Tohfa generates revenue while supporting women artisans. Their model links passion, purpose, and profit, turning love for stitching into a sustainable livelihood.

Why this matters now

Tohfa shows that entrepreneurship is possible at any age and that sustainable, home-grown initiatives can thrive.