Daily Archives: February 6, 2021

F.I.R.E. followers, who are in their 30s and 40s, need to be extra vigilant as their retirement nest eggs need to last decades longer than those who retire in their 60s and 70s.

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The stock market fallout during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic put retirees living off their investment income at risk. That was especially the case for those following the financial independence, retire early (F.I.R.E.) movement.

F.I.R.E. investors are largely people in their 30s and 40s who save aggressively and invest early to build up a seven-figure portfolio to retire early or work way less as they get older. Those plans can be thwarted when stock markets tank, as they did last March.

Investors who stuck it out were rewarded as stock markets roared back to record highs months later. Still, F.I.R.E. followers need to be extra vigilant as their nest eggs need to last decades longer than those who retire in their 60s and 70s.

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You may need to over-save and underspend longer than you might think when youre pursuing the F.I.R.E. movement, says Jason Heath, an advice- and fee-only certified financial planner at Objective Financial Partners Inc. in Markham, Ont. When youre retiring at age 40 versus age 65, theres so much more margin for error.

For example, Mr. Heath says someone can do a great job of saving, but see those funds quickly disappear because of costs associated with an extraordinary event, such as a serious injury or illness that requires long-term care or having a child with a disability.

If you dont budget for the unexpected, that could really compromise your early retirement plan, he says.

F.I.R.E. investors do have time on their side to regain any investment losses should the next downturn not see the same quick recovery. Many also have the option to go back to work.

In addition, just having a plan puts them ahead of many investors, Mr. Heath says, citing various industry surveys showing investors with a financial roadmap are more prepared for retirement.

There is something to be said about F.I.R.E. [adherents] and how much long-term planning these people do, he says. Someone who is pursuing F.I.R.E. and really knows their numbers is more likely to have more confidence with something like stock market volatility or sustainable spending in retirement as a result.

Mathieu Martin of Quebec City started his F.I.R.E. journey in July, 2019, at the age of 41, about six months before the pandemic hit.

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He was inspired to retire early, instead of at age 60 as previously planned, after reading an article showing how it was possible through the simple strategy of spending less and investing more, taking advantage of the power of compound returns.

To me, the key really is the spending: The less you spend, the more you save, says Mr. Martin, now 42, who had a career as a safety engineer in France and the Middle East before moving with his wife and two young children to Canada in 2019.

Even when stock markets dropped in February and March of 2020, Mr. Martin wasnt too worried because his F.I.R.E. plan includes having about one years worth of cash set aside to live on.

We felt more confident because of that, he says. When it comes to early retirement ... even when youre not retired, whats important is your available cash. You can have the biggest investment in the world, but if you have no cash, youre screwed. ... We put our plan to the test and it passed.

He believes his background in crisis management and emergency preparedness also helped him stay calm as the markets went into panic mode.

I wasnt surprised. It was sort of expected, he says of the market drop.

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Mr. Martin didnt adjust his investment portfolio or asset allocation, either, which was a smart move in hindsight given the markets record run.

In fact, he and his wife are planning to buy a house this year instead of next year, as originally planned, thanks in part to the additional savings from the pandemic and the stock market comeback.

Today, Mr. Martins retirement life includes doing things he loves, such as building furniture for the new house, playing sports and walking his kids to school each day.

Furthermore, while his financial plan says he doesnt need to work, Mr. Martin did take on a short-term government contract last spring to help municipalities with their business continuity amid the pandemic.

I wanted to be part of it and to use my skills to do what I could to help the community, he says.

Bob Lai, 38, a married father of two who works in Vancouvers technology industry, says his F.I.R.E. journey remains on track amid the pandemic.

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For Mr. Lai and his wife, financial independence means having the option to work when they want and for as long as they want.

It might not mean full retirement in the near future, but they do have options such as taking a year off to travel when its safe to do so again.

Its about being financially independent, he says. Thats the empowerment behind the F.I.R.E. movement that we like, to not be tied to your paycheque every two weeks.

Mr. Lai says his family will be financially independent when its dividend income is greater than its expenses, which he notes is a bit different than the F.I.R.E. movements technical definition of when your net worth reaches 25 times your expenses.

The family got closer to that goal after investing about $115,000 in the markets last year, including a big chunk of money after equities dropped in the spring. A good portion of those funds was from money saved from having to stay home during the pandemic, as well as some investments the couple sold in February, just before the market crash.

Mr. Lai says he wasnt worried about his existing investments being down significantly at the time, particularly after seeing the bounce back during the global financial crisis.

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I knew the market would recover eventually; it was just a matter of time, he says. It was a good opportunity; [stocks] went on sale.

Most of his investments, which he makes on his own, are in stable, dividend-paying stocks such as banks and in diversified exchange-traded funds.

For others interested in being financially independent, Mr. Lai suggests sticking to their plan and not making bets on risky investments such as Bitcoin.

If you are always jumping back and forth between investment strategies, you may not get there, he says of financial independence.

And while he and his wife dont have a specific date for meeting their F.I.R.E. goal, we are enjoying the journey.

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How F.I.R.E. investors are managing through the pandemic - The Globe and Mail

The call for womens financial independence could not have been clearer than in Virginia Woolfs writing "A woman needs money and a room of her own if she is to be able to write."

Many decades later, financial freedom and equal right towards managing money and other assets continue to be a struggle for many women in several parts of the world. However, attaining such freedom can boost their decision-making power and confidence.

Here are 10 quotes on the importance of financial independence that will inspire women to work towards it.

Financial independence is paramount. My mom always says that when a woman is financially independent, she has the ability to live life on her own terms. I think that was the soundest advice that I ever got. No matter where you go in life or who you get married to, you have to be financially independent whether you use it or not, Priyanka Chopra, actor.

It (being financially independent) gives you a different kind of freedom. Today, I am not dependent on my parents, nor do I need to depend on a man from a financial point of view. And, it is a nice feeling, Deepika Padukone, actor.

"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver," Ayn Rand, novelist and philosopher.

A womans best protection is a little money of her own, Clare Booth Luce, American author and US ambassador.

When money flows into the hands of women, who have the authority to use it, everything changes for women, their families, and their communities, Melinda Gates, philanthropist.

I truly believe that liberty for a woman comes from the ability to make financial decisions for her life. This is not a high-tech solution. This is a low-tech solution for a low-tech problem that has a high impact, Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US.

A woman that makes a logical and rational financial decision is a woman who raises a son that expects women to enter the workforce; is a woman who raises a daughter who recognises her place in the future, Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US.

Economic equity is enormous empowerment of women. Having jobs that provide income means that women can be a more effective force, a more equal force, in the political process. Women with income take themselves more seriously and they are taken more seriously, Betty Friedan, feminist writer and activist.

Give a woman a dollar, and she can put it to good use. Teach her about how money really works, and she can change the world, Linda Davis Taylor, CEO and Chairman of Clifford Swan Investment Counselors.

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10 quotes that will inspire women to become financially independent - YourStory.com

Amanda Nicholls made extra cash during the pandemic by selling other families' items online for a commission.

Source: Amanda Nicholls

When Amanda Nicholls was laid off from her sales job last summer, she had to get creative.

The 34-year-old, who was bringing in about 75% of the family's income, pivoted to selling second-hand goods for local families on Facebook Marketplace and other sites for a commission.

"I turned my basement and garage into a warehouse, basically, and found clients through local moms groups," said Nicholls, who lives with her husband and four children in Olathe, Kansas.

"[I] was already selling stuff for my own family, so I just took it a step further."

There's no doubt many Americans need cash.

More from Invest in You:Here's a 12-month roadmap to financial wellnessTake these steps to shake off anxiety and take control of your financial lifeCan't afford an estate plan? What you can do without spending a fortune

More than half of U.S. adults, 53%, said the $600 stimulus check they'll get for every adult and child in the household won't last them a full month, a recent survey from Bankrate found. President Joe Biden has proposed an additional $1,400, but the plan still has to make it through Congress.

There are jobs out there 82% of U.S. employers plan to hire this year, according to Monster's Future of Work report.

Yet, while the unemployment rate is recovering, many are still being left behind. For those on the bottom half of the earnings curve (making less than $27,000 a year), employment is still down 25% versus pre-pandemic levels, according to Opportunity Insights.

Here's what you can do to increase your earning potential and find new opportunities to make more money.

Selling used items like toys and clothing, and even doing it for others for a cut of the sales, is an example of a "quick win," said Jamila Souffrant, creator of the financial education podcast, Journey To Launch.

Nicholls netted about $7,000 before she returned to full-time work.

To make money fast, think about what interests you and where your skills lie.

Manu Vega | Moment | Getty Images

Do you like animals? Consider dog walking or pet sitting for friends and neighbors. If you are good at math or another subject, you can offer tutoring services, or you can babysit for families struggling with child-care needs.

Your gig can also be expanded into a bigger side hustle by creating a website, social media account or business cards, and offering your services to a larger audience, Souffrant pointed out.

That's how she started her business. Initially a blog about her desire to obtain financial independence and quit her job in commercial real estate, Journey to Launch eventually expanded into a media platform that included the podcast. During that time, Souffrant also obtained her financial education instructor certification and quit her day job.

If you are an hourly worker, check to see if there are any opportunities for additional shifts.

Also consider getting additional educational certifications if your job offers more money for them, Souffrant said. That's what her husband, Woody, did to increase his teacher's salary. He also taught summer school and coached sports to earn more money.

Salaried employees can try to negotiate a raise, but will need to do some work first.

Research what you should be earning in terms of your skills and experience, said Monster career expert Vicki Salemi.

Then, gather evidence about what you've done for the company, whether it was improving sales, saving money or boosting morale. When you ask your boss to have a conversation, do it over a video or phone call, not email, and get an appointment on the calendar, she said.

Practice what you want to say ahead of time and go into the meeting with talking points.

The best way to make more money is to get a new job. Even if you got part of your requested increase from your current employer, don't feel guilty about leaving.

"You can get promoted and get that increase and still look for a job externally and leave," Salemi said.

"You are not beholden to that pay increase."

In addition to researching your earning potential and collecting evidence of your past successes, ramp up your networking and start mock interviewing with friends or family, she advised.

When conducting online job searches, cast a wide net geographically, since many companies are hiring remote workers now. Tweak your resume for each job you apply for by using keywords from the job description and possibly reordering job description bullets.

Look for jobs in industries where there is a demand for workers, such as logistics, health care, occupational health and safety, and solar power and energy, Salemi said.

"You want to think about what ... your transferable skills [are]," she said. "The challenge of job seekers right now is not being as effective as they can be in marketing themselves."

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CHECK OUT: The 5 U.S. states where $500,000 in retirement savings would last you the longest viaGrow with Acorns+CNBC.

Disclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors in Acorns.

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Here's how to boost your income and find creative ways to make money - CNBC

Painted in the signature red and white of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this friendly goat is up for auction.

Tampa, FL, Feb. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- That is the Project, not Brady! Tom will be preparing for the big game with the rest of the Buccaneers!

But --- you can still graze on over to ZooTampa at Lowry Park between 1 and 5 pm on Saturday, February 6 on Super Bowl weekend to support Project G.O.A.T. The acronym stands for the Global Offense Against Trafficking.

A total of 55 custom painted goats will be auctioned off at the Athletes/Artists+Causes Gala during Super Bowl 55 Weekend at ZooTampa. Proceeds will go to organizations that help fight human trafficking both locally and globally.

The idea came from Thonotosassa-based businessman and farmer Rob Canton--also the Founder & CEO of Athletes and Causes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, focused on getting athletes, coaches, and artists to understand their own philanthropic passions and help them leverage their platform and celebrity to positively impact the lives of others.

My wife Debbie and I rescued seven goats from slaughter back in 2015. The goats live their best lives on our Thonotosassa property, which we named Grady Goat Farm. On March 16, 2017, one of our goats gave birth to a blind, deaf, and charmingly clumsy goat. We named him Grady and he was the inspiration for the Grady Goat Foundation, which hosts goat yoga classes to support multiple childrens charities and provided the initial funding for Project GOAT said Canton.

Back in 2019, Canton discovered an article by Bill Gates pondering the question, Can Goats Empower Women? In the article, Gates describes how goats are already empowering women in the poorest parts of India, where they serve as an important source of income. Without that income, these women are vulnerable to fraudulent job offers traffickers often use to recruit their victims. Now, instead of becoming victims of forced labor or sex, women are gaining financial independence raising, caring for, and selling goats.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the number of human trafficking cases in the U.S. doubled between 2015 and2018. The hotline identified 10,949 human trafficking cases in 2018; 767 of which were in Florida. Unfortunately, the sunshine state has consistently ranked third in the nation for the number of calls to the hotline. More than anything, the Cantons hope auction results over Super Bowl weekend will help fund and raise awareness for human trafficking.

The Cantons started with a single goat statue to test the design concept and worked with Tampa-based artist Frankie Gonzalez who painted the original goat sculpture with all 16 Astros 2019 Hall of Fame inductees ahead of the Astros Hall of Fame weekend. When the piece fetched $15,000 at auction, the couple knew they were onto something big.

Next, the couple commissioned Philadelphia-based artist Scott Joseph Moore of Moore Art Expressions to cast 55 identical goats. Each of them would be painted by different artists, mostly hailing from Tampa Bay.

Residents across Tampa Bay have seen these curious goats pop up at Tampa International Airport, The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, International Plaza, the Epicurean Hotel, and other unique locations. Each goat displayed represents an incredible organization dedicated to ending human trafficking.

Canton has already gained significant support from organizations and individuals like Candy DeBartolo (wife of former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.), Epicurean Hotel, Reeves Import Motor Cars, DDA Development, Coyote Ugly Saloon, Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding Centers, Sun Toyota Collision Center, and Yann & Susana Weymouth. Ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 each, sponsors were given the opportunity to give their goats the spotlight in a place of business or other location over the past year. The sponsorship dollars will be credited towards the final auction price.

According to Canton, this Super Bowl weekend gala will be a celebrity-filled outdoor event where not only 55 GOATs but 150 other works of art from Tampa Bay artists will be sold in a silent auction format to support both artists and charities. The event will not only support the fight against human trafficking, but will showcase the entire family of A+C Foundation Charities, including those of former Yankee/Red Sox Johnny Damon, Buccaneers Receiver Chris Godwin, Houston Astros Pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Joe Smith, NBA on TNT Reporter Allie LaForce, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Lineman Eli Ankou, and Pro Cyclist Shayna Powless.

The growing list of celebrities expected to attend Athletes/Artists+Causes include MLB stars Johnny Damon, David Big Papi Ortiz, Drew Hutchison, Daniel Norris, and Jose Bautista; musicians Ryan Cabrera and Chris Kirkpatrick; former Chicago Bear Jim McMahon; former NHL right wing Adam Hall; and actors Kristen Renton, Lauren Mahew, and Nick Manning.

About the GOATSThe original goat sculpture was completed by artist Scott Joseph Moore in February 2019. Each goat weighs about 75 lbs., stands 48 inches tall (including the base height), and is a total of 60 inches long. These amazing works of art were meticulously cast by Moore in a compound called Forton (in the industry, Forton is often referred to as Cast Stone). This product has properties that are highly desirable for this type of project and was developed for use in the architectural industry for exterior building embellishment (columns, balustrades, etc.). In other words, most of our GOATs may be displayed equally well indoors, on a covered deck, or even in a garden. More information on Project GOAT may be found atwww.peacelovegoats.org. The art auction is currently live and will be through the end of the event at https://projectgoat.givesmart.com.

For more information on tickets and the event, visit: https://www.peacelovegoats.org/events

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Meet the GOAT Saturday, February 6 on Super Bowl Weekend! - GlobeNewswire

NEWARK, NJ Mayor Ras Baraka announced Jan. 25 that the city of Newark and Invest Newark were named one of eight recipients of the 2021 CommunityWINS grant program, a joint effort by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo to advance housing affordability solutions in local communities. The grants totaling $1 million recognize outstanding mayoral-based initiatives that assist their city in reducing the cost burden of housing and increase access to safe, affordable places to live.

Each nonprofit organization will receive funding aimed at assisting cities with the opportunity to invest, strengthen and address housing affordability issues in municipalities across the nation.

Homeownership is essential to building wealth and achieving financial independence for Newark residents, as well as reducing blight in our neighborhoods, Baraka said. I thank Wells Fargo and the U.S. Conference of Mayors for awarding us this CommunityWINS grant that will allow us to continue to create a more empowered, collaborative and equitable Newark.

In recognition of its Section 8 Homeownership Conversion Program, the city of Newark and Invest Newark will receive $75,000, which will be used to support the conversion of blighted city-owned properties into homeownership opportunities for Newarkers at income levels lower than 80-percent of the area median income.

Newark was honored alongside Denver, Colo.; Anchorage, Ala.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Frankfort, Ky.; Chicago, Ill.; Brownsville, Texas; and Waterville, Maine.

It is an honor to be recognized for our work on such an important issue. In Newark we have prioritized investment in solutions that will ensure safe and affordable housing for our residents, Invest Newark President and CEO Bernel Hall said. This CommunityWINS grant will allow us to expand that important work and increase access to this vital program for more who need it. We are deeply grateful to Wells Fargo and the U.S. Conference of Mayors for putting a spotlight on the housing crisis facing cities across the country, and we are hopeful that more solutions like ours will continue to scale to bring greater relief to Americans in need.

The 2020 CommunityWINS grant program is an opportunity to honor and showcase impactful affordable housing efforts that are making a real difference in communities across the country, said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Even prior to the economic fallout caused by COVID-19, many vulnerable households were struggling with housing solutions, said Nate Hurst, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. To foster a truly inclusive recovery, we have to recognize that the challenge of housing is even more profound in communities of color and be intentional about prioritizing the needs of underserved communities. CommunityWINS is an important example of the public and private sectors working together to help more people have a safe, affordable place to call home.

An independent panel of judges selected recipients of the grants funded by Wells Fargo from 139 applicants representing small, medium, large and metropolitan cities as part of the competitive application process.

Invest Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka, Wells Fargo

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City and Invest Newark win $75000 to advance housing affordability - Essex News Daily

With over 148 million literate but unemployed women in Urban India, Nishtha, a passionate woman entrepreneur who has a vision to help homemakers in India achieve financial independence by upskilling them.

The difference in opportunities for men and women and the financial inequality became apparent to Nishtha, at a very early stage in her life. Nishtha also realised that most women in India are determined to work and earn.

Nishtha, an entrepreneur with a dream to use technology and education to empower women across the country. Coming from a Chartered Accountancy and business background, she was determined to utilise her skill set for what she had always believed in: Empowering Indian Women through education to earn recognition, respect and financial independence. She started working during her late teens, and understood what the sense of independence and skills can bring to any Indian woman.

She shares, "With over 148 million literate but unemployed women in Urban India, Hunar Online Courses was established in 2018 with the sole purpose of providing a unique and convenient learning platform for Indian women. The creative courses by Hunar are designed to reskill Indian women, thereby enabling them to start their own businesses and earn recognition as well as financial independence. Hunar provides access to over 30+ courses like garment making, fashion styling, embroidery amongst others, in vernacular languages with 24*7 faculty support and certifications. Many students who completed their fashion design course with Hunar Online have started their own online or home boutique."

Post course completion, they work with students through their 'My Boutique' Programme. This programme is designed for students who want to start their own business after completion of their course. Among their students, many of them have already launched their own business and hundreds of students are now financially independent.

They plan to introduce numerous courses this year, enhance the learning journey of their students and give them even more platforms and support to use their skill to start their own businesses. The inspiration for Hunar came from watching her mother educate numerous women with creative skills.

"When I was younger, I watched how these women changed the course of their lives with the help of these skills. With Hunar, we wanted to make learning creative courses accessible to the entire country. I have always wanted to build businesses. When I was 12 years old, I started interning at local enterprises. I started my first business when I was 22 years old. And after all this, when I felt like I still had more to learn, I got a master's in entrepreneurship from Babson College in Boston. I don't really know when and why I decided to become an entrepreneur, but the process of finding a problem, solving it and building a business while doing that, has always had my interest and heart

Hunar (meaning skill with dignity in Urdu) offers more than 30 skill-based courses, including embroidery, garment making, fabric designing, fashion illustration, jewellery designing, boutique management, and bag making among others. After completing a course, Hunar Online assists the women for two to three months to build their collection and market them through its My Boutique programme. Hunar has trained more than 10,000 women. The courses are certified by NSDC and approved by four-time National Award-winning fashion designer Neeta Lulla, who has worked on more than 300 films in India.

"Being a creative educator for Indian Women, our biggest challenge is helping our potential students overcome inertia to re-skill. Most of our students are Indian homemakers (some students and professionals), hailing from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India. While they have a deep desire to be independent, build a home business or gain recognition, they have their fears of learning online. But through our success stories, it encouraged, motivated and inspired women of all ages to believe in themselves more and turn their dreams into reality with simple and small steps," adds Nishtha.

Today, with over 10 lakh app downloads and thousands of students who've learnt a certified skill, started their own home businesses and gained financial independence, they have learnt that with their product and the right guidance have given a choice and chance to all of their students who have the potential and desire to learn and create.

The Pandemic For Hunar, the pandemic had a silver lining: the acceptance of online education. One of their struggles has always been getting students to believe that they can learn creative skills online, the pandemic made it easier for them to try.

She adds, "Further, since our product was built to service, educate and skill in a virtual format, we were better equipped to train and deliver than other businesses. During the pandemic, we supported our students in learning the most out of their courses and encouraged other students to start building skills too. The outcome was amazing as a lot of our students learnt garment making and started creating their own supply of masks, for both commercial and charitable purposes. Entrepreneurs face a myriad of challenges raising capital, getting access to good mentors and the right talent, to name a few. Women face these challenges but apart from these, women face additional challenges in managing work and personal life, finding the personal and professional support required to become entrepreneurs, amongst others - mainly stemming out of societal expectations. Better access to capital, more support systems by way of advisors and more support from your peer group and family etc. will do wonders to change the face of women entrepreneurship and women participation in businesses."

Women who stand on their own feet

A 36-year-old homemaker and mother to two kids, one pursuing degree and the other in Intermediate, Manju felt it was now time for her to pursue further education too. That's why she enrolled in Hunar Online's Boutique Management course, a year and a half ago, and then became a part of "My Boutique" Programme which supported her in creating her own collections and selling them online. She takes online and offine orders for the past 2.5 months and planning to set up a store now.

Manju Pillalamarri

As a dentist and mother of two kids, joining a college for a fashion designing course was not an option for her. She stumbled upon Hunar Online Courses, which gave the luxury to learn the course sitting at home, at her own pace. After finishing courses with Hunar, through Hunar's 'my boutique programme', she started her own business and created a brand 'ethnic closet'. She promotes and sells most of her collections on Instagram and other social media platform.

Dr Namrata M

A home maker and being married to a farmer from Andhra Pradesh, she did not want to get into farming, as was expected of her. Instead, she started a course with Hunar. Initially, she started with stitching for her friends and family. With them she designed a collection using Ikat fabric. Seeing the appreciation of her designs, by her existing clients, she started to expand her product line. She owns a successful business, where she sells ikat fabric and also creates apparel. Sandhya Datla

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Technology to empower women - The Hans India