Success Stories

Mrs. Osi Taying, also known as the “Tea Lady of Bilat Circle,” is an inspiring businesswoman who has defied expectations with her entrepreneurial journey. At 60 years old, she possesses the energy and enthusiasm of someone half her age. A devoted mother of four and the wife of a retired teacher, Mrs. Taying's path to entrepreneurship is truly extraordinary.

Her journey began as an Anganwadi worker, a role she never imagined would lead her into the business world. However, in 2015, during a visit to Nepal, she toured a tea factory and had the opportunity to roll holong tea. This experience ignited her interest and motivated her to start her own tea business in her hometown of Mirem village.

Building the Mirem Tea Brand

In 2019, Mrs. Taying took the first step by creating small batches of green and red tea at home. Initially, customer response was underwhelming, leaving her discouraged. During this challenging period, she discovered Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and received support from Arunachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) . She joined an SHG and shared her vision with group members and Block Mission Management units (BMMU) officials. With their encouragement, she rebranded her tea and improved its quality.

Initially, Mrs. Taying used plastic packaging for her tea when setting up stalls at local events like Republic Day and Independence Day. However, with assistance from ArSRLM and the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, she received training in packaging, created professional stickers, and registered her products with
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This support allowed her to scale up her business and produce larger batches of Mirem Tea in various flavors, including rose, ginger, and tulsi.

A Beacon of Inspiration

Through her hard work and perseverance, Mrs. Taying has not only become a successful entrepreneur but also an empowered woman who has inspired many others in her village to follow in her footsteps. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of determination, community support, and seizing opportunities to turn dreams into reality.