Nazra M Sabet: Empowering lives through social businesses

When Nazra Mahjabeen Sabet started studying at BUET as a civil engineer, she had hopes of building roads, bridges and infrastructure. 

But as time went on, she realised she wanted to build something else — opportunities for people.

With over 25 years of experience, Nazra is now a social entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to empowering marginalised communities, especially women, by creating sustainable business solutions.

She spent several years as the programme head for BRAC Social Enterprises, leading a variety of initiatives, each designed to address the needs of underprivileged communities. 

Over the years, she headed seven different enterprises, including four green ventures (BRAC Solar, BRAC Nursery, BRAC Recycled Handmade Paper, and BRAC Sericulture), and three additional businesses (BRAC Chicken, BRAC Artificial Insemination, and BRAC Sanitary Napkin & Delivery Kit).

"When you're working in social enterprises, it's never just about making money," she reflects. "It's about finding ways to solve real problems while ensuring financial sustainability."

Under her leadership, BRAC Solar provided renewable energy solutions, while BRAC Nursery promoted environmental sustainability. She also developed and launched Bangladesh's first-ever green retail outlet, showcasing BRAC's commitment to eco-friendly enterprises.

Nazra made significant contributions to BRAC Chicken by diversifying its business model, introducing packaged frozen foods, and expanding into restaurant operations, including both franchises and own outlets. Unlike most commercial poultry businesses, which rely on growth-inducing medicines, BRAC Chicken focuses on natural rearing methods.

Her work in cattle development through BRAC's Artificial Insemination programme helped improve breed quality and productivity for rural farmers. Collaborating with Mymensingh Agricultural University, she ensured that scientific advancements were integrated into BRAC's sustainable farming initiatives.

And the numbers speak for themselves. More than 2,000 individuals received training in artificial insemination, directly improving livestock quality and productivity across Bangladesh. These efforts were made with a goal in mind to contribute to food security and economic empowerment for countless rural families.

Empowering women through sustainable fashion

After BRAC, Nazra took on a new challenge — leading Friendship Colours of the Chars, a social enterprise under Friendship NGO, where she now serves as the CEO. This initiative focuses on empowering marginalised communities and became Bangladesh's first slow fashion brand, championing handloom weaving, natural dyeing and eco-conscious production.

Today, 3,000 artisans craft handwoven textiles and silk, while another 2,800 women support themselves through embroidery and craftwork. Many of them were once vulnerable to early marriage or abandonment; now, they are skilled artisans, trainers and businesswomen.

"Earning an income isn't just about money. It's about dignity. When you give women the ability to earn, you give them control over their lives, because once women have financial control, they gain a voice in their homes, their communities and their futures," Nazra reflects.

Many women who were once vulnerable to early marriage or abandonment have now become skilled artisans and trainers. Friendship provides free training, after which these women are hired as facilitators in their respective communities.

"Earning an income isn't just about money. It's about dignity. When you give women the ability to earn, you give them control over their lives, because once women have financial control, they gain a voice in their homes, their communities and their futures."

Nazra has also been deeply involved in heritage preservation, working to revive Bangladesh's lost traditions in handloom weaving, natural dyeing, Banarasi, and Khadi weaving. Through partnerships, exhibitions and product innovation, she has helped bring these crafts to a global audience.

This initiative champions slow fashion, ensuring minimal carbon footprint, reduced water usage and eco-friendly dyeing techniques. Instead of relying on fossil fuel-driven machinery, handloom weaving uses traditional methods that are both environmentally sustainable and culturally significant.

Floating hospitals and dreams for the future

Friendship NGO's work extends beyond livelihood programmes to healthcare solutions for the most vulnerable populations. Nazra highlights that their journey began by making healthcare accessible to remote char dwellers. 

"We came up with an initiative of Friendship's first floating hospital under the direction of Runa Khan, the founder and executive director. The hospital would be anchored in a particular area for two to three months, serving communities with limited access to basic healthcare."

Each floating hospital was equipped with doctors, medical staff and essential resources. Services included general health checkups and cervical cancer screenings, ensuring that even the most isolated communities received necessary medical attention.

Even after years of hands-on experience in social entrepreneurship, Nazra believes there is always more to learn. She remains committed to sharing her insights and expanding her impact as she pursues a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Dhaka. Her research focuses on how social capital and learning experiences influence the development of social entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.

"With the knowledge I've gained through my doctorate, I hope to create something where compassion, responsibility, and innovation go hand in hand, creating a ripple effect of positive change in the world," she concludes.