Young woman quits corporate job to build an eco-friendly business

Maria Kuriakose, an entrepreneur from Kerala, has turned trash into a successful business venture. 
 

Maria began working as a consultant at Aon Hewitt in Mumbai in the year 2017. 
 

She quit her job and joined Myna Mahila Foundation, an NGO that distributes affordable sanitary napkins in Mumbai’s slums. 
 

In 2019, Maria had a business idea that focused on recycling waste materials. She began collecting coconut shells in Thrissur as part of her initiative. 
 

Maria began transforming coconut shells into clean and intricately designed bowls. This business venture named Thenga Coco, has a value of Rs 1 crore. 
 

The coconut tree is often referred to as Kalpavriksha, as every part of it, including the stem, fruits, roots, and flowers, is incredibly useful.
 

Maria earned her Economics degree from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai. 
 

Maria’s venture boasts an impressive 80 percent of women workers. The products are even exported to foreign countries.