Dreamchasers profiles 14 social entrepreneurs

Chennai: Writer and journalist Shobha Warrier on Saturday released her book profiling 14 women social entrepreneurs titled Dreamchasers — Women Entrepreneurs from the South of the Vindhyas. It is a sequel to Dream Chasers - Entrepreneurs from the South of the Vindhyas, she wrote last year.

Shobha, in the book, details the lives and journey of 28 women entrepreneurs, many of whom started their business even before the word ‘entrepreneur’ became popular in India. Using a simple timeline to narrate their stories, she includes people from different generations. 

On being asked why she decided to do another book, Shobha Warrier said that when she put out the first book, many people asked her why women were poorly represented when she was a woman herself.

 “ I didn’t really think about it like that. To me, they were all achievers, I didn’t look at them as men or women. But after that, I realised I needed to do one book entirely on women,” she said.

 Shobha confessed to having a soft corner for social entrepreneurs, those that work for the benefit of society rather than profits. When she, many years ago, saw their “human spirit” turn into concrete solutions to help others, she decided to write about it. Over the years her interactions as a journalist with numerous entrepreneurs helped curate her list. 

“You know, as a journalist when you tell some stories, they remain in your mind because of the power of the story, itself. Many of these stories were that impactful and needed to be told” she said. 

 The experience of writing the book has taught her a lot Shobha says, and she wants the learning to transpire into inspiration for those who read the book. “I will continue to write the Dreamchasers series. There are so many more inspiring stories to be told and so many more people to inspire,” she said adding “the remarkable stories of these entrepreneurs point that with dedication and hard work, anyone can achieve even the unachievable and gender has no role to play in it,” she said. 

 Sheela Kochouseph Chittilappilly, founder & managing director of V-Star, a popular innerwear brand, Sreeja Aaranootukara, an organic farmer, who also doubles as an income tax officer, Sabriye Tenberken, a German woman who despite being blind founded Kanthari, an international institute for social leadership and Likhita Bhanu, the founder and director of Terra Greens Organic, an organic food company, are some of the women featured in the book.