Starting a business is challenging, but what’s even more daunting? Not having a market to sell your products. Every year, thousands of passionate entrepreneurs—both rural and urban—see their dreams crumble due to a lack of market access.
Consider this: Over 59 million enterprises are registered under MSMEs and Udhyam, yet over 75,000 businesses have shut down in the past five years. One of the biggest reasons? No proper market access.
For rural women entrepreneurs, the struggle is even harder. Limited exposure, digital illiteracy, and logistical barriers make it difficult to reach customers. But what if there were a way to break these barriers?
In this blog, we’ll explore every aspect of market access, its barriers, solutions, and WeAct's contribution to this. Let’s dive in!
Market Access as a Pillar of WeAct
Market access is crucial for any business to thrive—it determines whether a product reaches its potential buyers. For rural women entrepreneurs, limited knowledge and resources often create barriers to entering both physical and digital markets. At WeAct, we bridge this gap by providing tailored market access solutions, enabling these entrepreneurs to showcase their products effectively.
Understanding Market Access: Physical vs. Digital
Businesses can reach customers through two primary avenues:
- Physical Markets – Includes supermarkets, kirana stores, exhibitions, and brick-and-mortar shops.
- Digital Markets – Encompasses e-commerce platforms, websites, WhatsApp Business, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and mobile applications.
Since the pandemic, consumer behavior has shifted significantly, with many preferring online shopping for essentials and gifting. Recognizing this trend, WeAct equips rural women entrepreneurs with the tools and platforms they need to succeed in today’s evolving marketplace.
WeAct’s Market Access Initiatives
WeAct provides multiple avenues for entrepreneurs to sell their products, ensuring they can leverage both traditional and modern sales channels.
1. Onboarding to E-Commerce
Many rural women entrepreneurs are unaware of how e-commerce works, making it difficult for them to tap into online sales. At WeAct, we:
- Educate them on the benefits of e-commerce.
- Provide hands-on support in registering and listing products on platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, or regional e-commerce sites.
- Train them on order management, packaging, and logistics.
This opens doors to a vast customer base beyond their local communities.
2. Personalized Informative Websites
A professional online presence builds credibility and makes products easily discoverable. WeAct assists entrepreneurs by:
- Creating customized websites showcasing their brand story and products.
- Developing digital catalogs for seamless customer browsing.
- Offering basic training on website maintenance and updates.
3. Social Media Marketing
Social media is a powerful tool for business growth. WeAct guides entrepreneurs in:
- Setting up business accounts on WhatsApp Business, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
- Designing engaging posts and promotional content.
- Understanding analytics to track customer engagement.
This helps them build a loyal following and drive sales through digital word-of-mouth.
4. Exhibitions & Live Showcases
Physical exhibitions remain a great way to connect directly with customers. WeAct organizes and invites entrepreneurs to:
- Corporate exhibitions where they can network with bulk buyers.
- Canopy exhibitions and local fairs to increase visibility.
These events help them gain confidence, receive real-time feedback, and expand their customer base.
5. WeAct Emporium in Ahmedabad
To further boost sales, WeAct identifies high-quality products from each of its entrepreneurs and displays them at the WeAct Emporium, located at the EDII Campus in Ahmedabad. This initiative:
- Provides a permanent retail space for rural artisans.
- Attracts customers looking for authentic, handmade products.
- Enhances brand recognition and trust.
Conclusion
Market access is not a privilege—it’s a right. It’s about creating sustainable opportunities. By integrating e-commerce, digital marketing, exhibitions, and physical retail, WeAct ensures that rural women entrepreneurs are no longer limited by geography or lack of exposure. Instead, they are empowered to grow their businesses, reach wider audiences, and achieve financial independence.
Through these initiatives, WeAct is redefining market access, making it inclusive, accessible, and impactful for women entrepreneurs across rural India.
The journey doesn’t end here—scaling up requires continuous support. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or know someone who could benefit, explore WeAct’s initiatives and be part of this transformational movement.
Because when women entrepreneurs rise, economies thrive.