{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "After winning legal battle, three Kerala nuns build clothing brand Stand by Me to achieve financial independence",
  "summary": "After winning a lengthy legal battle against former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, three Kerala nuns faced severe financial hardship when convent support stopped. Turning to their tailoring skills, they launched a clothing brand named Stand by Me, which is now preparing to launch online.",
  "content": "After prevailing in a grueling legal battle, three nuns in Kerala faced an immediate crisis regarding their basic survival and future livelihood. Once their legal struggle surrounding former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal concluded, financial support from the convent ceased, and external backing eroded. Refusing to succumb to adverse circumstances, they relied on their tailoring skills to establish their own apparel brand called Stand by Me. Today, the venture stands as a powerful testament to economic self-reliance and resilience.\n\nOvercoming Hardships and Employment Barriers\nThe year 2023 marked the most challenging period for the three nuns. Deprived of institutional backing, they struggled even to afford daily necessities, including essential food, clothing, and vital medicines. Despite two of the nuns holding Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees, their involvement in the high-profile legal dispute led employers to reject their applications for jobs and internships. Recognizing that traditional avenues of employment were effectively blocked, they realized that building a self-owned enterprise was the only way to secure an independent future that could not be taken away from them.\n\nFrom Kuravilangad Convent to a Growing Enterprise\nDetermined to forge their own path, the nuns decided to hone their sewing skills. With financial aid from well-wishers, they purchased sewing machines and commenced tailoring operations from the convent in Kuravilangad. Initial orders were modest, coming primarily from close acquaintances and friends. However, as demand grew, the workload expanded rapidly. What began as a personal survival effort soon developed into a sustainable business that now employs two additional workers, providing them with stable livelihoods.\n\nProduct Lineup and Expansion into E-Commerce\nThe Stand by Me brand manufactures a wide range of apparel and home utility products, including nighties, churidar tops, trending co-ord sets, bags, table mats, and table runners. The nuns named the brand as a tribute to the well-wishers who stood by them as a protective shield during their most difficult times. Looking ahead, the brand is preparing to scale its operations to the next level. Within the next month, they plan to launch their entire product catalog on online e-commerce platforms, enabling customers across India to purchase their items directly.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis initiative not only restores financial independence for the three nuns, but its upcoming online launch will also allow buyers across India to support a socially meaningful apparel business directly.\n\n• In Kerala: The expansion of local tailoring operations is creating immediate employment opportunities around the Kuravilangad convent area. This offers practical encouragement and inspiration for other women in the region seeking self-reliance.\n• Across India: Once the products launch on e-commerce platforms within a month, consumers nationwide can directly purchase hand-stitched apparel and home utility items. Buying directly ensures high-quality garments while meaningfully supporting independent women entrepreneurs.\n• In Kerala: This venture establishes a concrete economic model for individuals facing institutional hardship or social litigation. It demonstrates how practical skills can be leveraged to build sustainable livelihoods even when external financial support stops.\n• Across India: Bringing small-scale artisan textile ventures onto digital marketplaces provides direct access to nationwide markets. This eliminates intermediaries and ensures fair monetary returns flow directly back to the creators.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What is the name of the clothing brand launched by the Kerala nuns?\nThey have launched their own apparel brand named Stand by Me.\n\n2. What major challenges did the nuns face after winning their legal battle?\nAfter the legal case concluded, financial support from the convent stopped, and employers refused to hire them for jobs or internships.\n\n3. What academic qualifications did the nuns hold?\nTwo of the nuns hold Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees.\n\n4. What products are manufactured under the Stand by Me brand?\nThe brand manufactures nighties, churidar tops, co-ord sets, bags, table mats, and table runners.\n\n5. Where did the venture start and what are its expansion plans?\nThe venture started operations at Kuravilangad convent and plans to launch its products on online e-commerce platforms within a month.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nThe journey of these three Kerala nuns demonstrates how self-reliance, practical skills, and determination can help overcome systemic isolation and financial hardship.\n\n• Relying on Practical Skills: When academic qualifications and formal job applications failed due to circumstances, they turned to their tailoring skills. Mastering a practical skill provides an unbreakable safety net during unexpected crises.\n• Resilience in the Face of Rejection: Despite encountering closed doors for jobs and lacking funds for basic necessities, the nuns refused to surrender. Persistent action in difficult times creates new paths forward where none previously existed.\n• Prioritizing Self-Ownership: Instead of searching indefinitely for external employment, they established a business that gave them complete control and independence. Building a self-owned enterprise ensures financial sovereignty.\n• Honoring Community Support: By naming their brand Stand by Me, they publicly recognized the well-wishers who stood by them during dark times. Expressing gratitude to supporters builds long-term trust and community backing.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/kanuni-larai-jitane-ke-bada-kerala-ki-tina-nanon-ne-khara-kiya-klothinga-branda-stand-by-me-27269",
  "category": "Success Stories",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-03",
  "tags": [
    "Kerala Nuns",
    "Stand by Me",
    "Clothing Brand",
    "Franco Mulakkal",
    "Kuravilangad",
    "Women Empowerment",
    "Self Reliance"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}