Saima Victor, a 40-year-old beautician in Karachi, Pakistan, has seen her income double since joining the Helpp app in June 2022. The Singapore-based startup, with a $500,000 commitment from the Visa Foundation, aims to financially liberate around 100,000 women in Pakistan over the next five years, focusing on boosting women entrepreneurship.
Victor, once confined to conventional beautician jobs, now enjoys financial independence and work-life balance through Helpp, which offers on-demand salon, laundry, paint, and air conditioning services in Karachi and Lahore. The platform has empowered beauticians like Victor to increase their incomes and work flexible hours.
Naveeza Kamran, a 26-year-old beautician, joined the app in 2022, experiencing a significant income boost from Rs20,000 to more than Rs50,000. The technology not only alleviates financial woes and time constraints for beauticians but also benefits customers by providing convenient services at home.
Helpp officials state that women using the app have increased their income by up to 5 times compared to the offline market. Asra Anwar-ul-Haq, category head at Helpp, emphasizes the platform’s goal of empowering around 100,000 women in Pakistan within the next five years, focusing on making them financially independent.
Kamran, having achieved financial stability through Helpp, shares her newfound ability to afford things, highlighting the transformative impact of technology on income augmentation and financial independence for women in Pakistan.
