Sanju's journey: From Rs 3000 to a venture of Rs 3 crore
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 26 2026: "What can I do with just Rs 3,000?" While most of us think not much can be done with this meagre amount, Sanju, a 29-year-old PhD student, has invested it and turned it into a venture that has an annual turnover of Rs 3 crore.

Sanju Akoijam has a Master's degree (Gold Medallist) in Economics and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the subject at Manipur University.

She hails from Singjamei Makha Oinam Thingel Ningthoujam Leikai, and is the daughter of Late Akoijam Hitler and Akoijam Ibemhal.

Sanju was recently hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Sanju's journey: From Rs 3000 to a venture of Rs 3 crore

She was among some of the finest artisans the President met and interacted with on May 19 and was the lone woman artisan/entrepre-neur from Manipur.

The others from Manipur were five male Nungbi Chaphu artisans from Ukhrul.

Her online store, HI STORE has a wide range of carefully crafted and embroidered Kouna products, the demand of which is "very high" .

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Sanju said Manipur's Kouna craft is unique and eco-friendly, and its demand is high outside Manipur.

A chance meeting with a Kouna craft artisan during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 encouraged her to venture in the business, Sanju said.

"With sales plummeting, Kouna artisans were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hearing about the artisan's struggle to make sales, it triggered me to do something to help," Sanju said.

Sanju did help the artisan by buying Kouna products worth Rs 3,000, but instead of keeping the products, she launched them online on social media platforms.

Laija Trends' Echanmacha Akoijam provided guidance and helped her sell the products, Sanju said.

She then engaged some artisans from Khangabok, Langmeithet and Lilong.

Sanju said she would provide them with materials (Kouna), and buy the finished products from them to sell over the internet.

To make the craft more attractive and add value, she later engaged an artisan from Wangkhei to add embroidery designs, Sanju said.

"The Kouna products with embroidery designs became popular among customers.

The demand was so high that I was unable to supply them in time," Sanju said.

To meet the demand, Sanju said she had to give fresh embroidery training to Kouna craft artisans she was working with at the time.

With an annual turnover of around Rs 3 crore, Sanju said her business is directly and indirectly benefiting more than 100 persons - around 50 families.

Sanju said her elder brother, Sanjoy Akoijam has been very supportive in her endeavour.

Recalling some major milestones, Sanju said her start-up was among 154 selected under the North East Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NEEDP).

A grant of Rs 3 lakh received through the programme further catapulted her business to new heights, Sanju said.

Further, among the 154 startups, her venture emerged as one of the top 20 performing startups and received Rs 7 lakh.

As her venture expanded, she gradually gained recognition and got opportunities to participate in various exhibitions, organised under the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).

Participating in the exhibitions exposed her products to a wide range of customers from outside Manipur and gave her venture a new push, Sanju said.

"One customer from Chennai even paid Rs 5 lakh in advance and placed a large order.

The start-up which started with an investment of just Rs 3000 has now evolved into business with a cumulative turnover of Rs 3 crore," Sanju said.

She used to source the raw materials (Kouna) from farmers and traders, but now she has her own Kouna farm.

She is growing and cultivating Kouna on a piece of farmland she has bought.

Sanju said she is a wholesaler and she does dropshipping.

Dropshipping is an e-commerce retail model where one sells products without holding physical inventory.

Apart from her online store "HI STORE", she has a physical store opened at Singjamei Leishangthem Leikai.

Sharing some "fine moments" in her journey, Sanjoy said her mother scolded her in the beginning for "wasting" her Master's degree.

"The products I buy would fill up the room, and my mother would scold me asking me to get rid of them.

She would scold me for wasting my Master's degree and trading in Kouna products," Sanju said.

Her elder brother was "supportive" and stood by her, Sanju added.

Sanju said she is thankful to her family, friends and teachers who have guided her so far in her journey.

"There were ups and downs, but the mantra to succeed is to never give up, and stick to the path taken." Sanju said.

Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook were helpful in reaching out to people.

"If used correctly, social media platforms can be a powerful tool which could open the path to success," Sanju said, encouraging youngsters to use them wisely.

Having tasted success, Sanju now aims to further expand her venture.

To further enhance production, Sanju said she has submitted a proposal to the Institute of Bioresources and.

Sustainable Development (IBSD) to avail a machine which could ease drying and processing Kouna.

Sanju's mentor and research supervisor Professor Hanjabam Ishwarchandra said he is proud of her feat.

"Sanju is hardworking and sincere.

She excels in her academic studies and is successful in the field also.

She has her business and academic pursuit well balanced.

This is a quality that defines her," the Professor said.

Her achievement at this age is no small feat.

It takes a strong will, determination and perseverance, said the mentor wishing Sanju every success in all her endeavours.