International Women’s Day: Meet three women entrepreneurs in Visakhapatnam who are redefining success

Empowering women through fitness, sustainable cocoa farming, and personalized career mentorship in Andhra Pradesh and beyond.

Farzana Begum walks into Fit with Fab every morning in Visakhapatnam, her hijab neatly tucked in place, a symbol of her identity. “My hijab is a part of me, just like my strength. It doesn’t limit me; it empowers me,” she says. In a field where women are often under-represented, she stands tall. “Fitness is for everyone, no matter what you wear. Strength comes from within,” she adds.

When Farzana Begum lost her mother in 2014, she realised how often women’s health takes a backseat in families. Determined to change this, she began advocating for fitness among women, only to face resistance from families reluctant to send them to gyms. Undeterred, she pursued certification to become a fitness coach.

Her journey, however, was not without challenges. In 2017, a tumour in her spine required surgery, forcing her to pause. Yet, she moved to Visakhapatnam and started training a small group of women on Beach Road. Just as she was gaining momentum, another hurdle came in 2019 — a diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma after a malignant tumour was found in her rib. The battle with cancer was gruelling, with rounds of chemotherapy testing her resolve.

The phase was one of the toughest. Looking back, Farzana says: “That setback was a setup for a comeback.” In 2020, post-treatment, she founded Fit with Fab, an all-women’s gym in Visakhapatnam, creating a safe space where women can train without inhibitions. Her journey caught the attention of many, even leading to an appearance on a television show hosted by actor Balakrishna, where she was honoured in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Farzana believes that women, especially those in their peri and menopausal phases, need to prioritise strength training. “It’s not just about fitness; it’s about reclaiming strength at every stage of life,” she says, adding, “Women in their 40s and beyond must embrace strength training, take charge of their fitness, and never let societal restrictions define their limits. It’s not just about staying fit but preventing osteoporosis, improving metabolism, and boosting confidence.”

Latha Pudi is redefining cocoa farming with her sustainable enterprise, Cocoabuzzz. Returning to her agricultural roots in Vizianagaram after years in the corporate world, she has transformed a traditional practice into a climate-smart venture in Andhra Pradesh. As a finalist in IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL Women Startup Entrepreneurship Programme, Latha is pioneering eco-friendly cocoa farming while adding value to the regional cocoa industry.

Founded in 2021, Cocoabuzzz initially focused on post-harvest processing, producing cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, flavoured cocoa nibs, and vegan cocoa spread. Recognising a rising demand for high-quality cocoa, she recently expanded her plantation with 1,500 new saplings, set to mature over the next three years. Today, her 2,000-tree cocoa farm sequesters around 20 metric tonnes of carbon annually.