The story of Rani Sharma could rival the plot of an engaging Bollywood film, replete with numerous twists and turns. From her humble beginnings as a simple rural Indian girl to becoming an emblem of entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, Rani’s journey is a story of fine skill developed amidst challenges. Her venture, Tulja Tooling, epitomises this dedication to excellence, producing specialised tooling solutions for intricate machining applications.
Rani Sharma’s life story unfolds in the vibrant city of Aurangabad, a journey marked by courage and creativity. Known today as one of the few women-cutting tool manufacturers in India, Rani’s beginnings were modest. Enrolled by her father, Sukhdayal Singh who himself was passionate about Mechanical Engineering working with MSEB, Rani pursued a diploma in mechanical engineering at Government Polytechnic, Aurangabad. Initially indifferent, Rani’s curiosity and interest grew as she delved deeper into the field, finding a passion for engineering she never knew she had. Rani started working in the industry, gaining valuable experience working for around five years, initially as a designer and later as a supervisor, where she led important developments.
Her path took a traditional turn with marriage in 2013 and, soon after, motherhood, which led her to put her career on pause. soon as she entered into her motherhood. The passion for manufacturing made her to establish her own company alongside her husband, she entered entrepreneurship in 2014, founding a cutting tool manufacturing company. However, life’s unpredictable nature soon steered her course through stormy waters, leading to a separation that would test her resolve.
In the midst of these personal upheavals, the world was hit by the pandemic in early 2020, an event that shuttered many doors but also opened new windows of opportunity. It was during this time of global stillness that Rani’s entrepreneurial spirit took flight. In August 2020, she laid the foundation for Tulja Tooling. As a newly single mother, she faced the added pressure of securing funds to kickstart her business. With determination, she secured a loan of 10 lakhs to purchase machinery and lay the groundwork for her company.
“Starting from scratch was hard. I had to do many different jobs, from operating machinery to conducting grassroots marketing campaigns,” Rani remembered. With the self-belief and the confidence in her manufacturing capabilities, Rani started building tools from grinding, drilling, etc. “Despite all the difficulties, I stayed focused on doing my best.” Rani was a one-woman army, working the machines, handling sales, and even going door-to-door to market her products. Knowledge was limited, but her will to succeed was not. Over time, her tireless efforts began to pay off, transforming initial struggles into steady work for her fledgling factory.
Fate Delivers Another Blow
As Rani was steadying her entrepreneurial ship, establishing Tulja Tooling as a reliable cutting tool manufacturer in the country, with customers built across the country, a personal health crisis emerged. Throughout 2022, Rani experienced a series of health setbacks that she initially overlooked. “I didn’t fully grasp what was happening at first. I had been feeling off for nearly a year, dismissing it as nothing serious. But then, all of a sudden, I was hit with such intense dizziness that I just fell down. That incident was a wake-up call that prompted me to seek medical attention,” Rani Sharma recounted.
During the Diwali celebrations last year Rani was diagnosed with a brain tumour. But even this did not deter her spirit. Rani faced this new challenge head-on, not just for her own sake but as a strength for others at her organisation. Rani underwent surgery in November 2023 while firmly managing her company’s operations. “I was away from work during treatment, but my team stepped up remarkably, keeping the operations smooth and the business alive. Their dedication meant that, despite the circumstances, the factory didn’t just survive; it thrived. My workers’ support during this tough time was unwavering—they were the ones who ensured our doors stayed open, and for that, I am immensely grateful”, reflects Rani Sharma.
Tulja Mantra: Quality, Innovation & Customer Satisfaction
Committed to fostering innovation and customer-centricity, Tulja Tooling has carved a niche in the competitive manufacturing landscape. Specialising in indexable insert-type tool holders tailored for VMCs and HMCs, the company offers comprehensive solutions for finishing, semi-finishing, and roughing applications. “At Tulja Tooling, we prioritise quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction,” shared Rani Sharma.
Tulja Tooling’s customer base spans various regions, including Kolhapur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pune, Gujarat, and its local vicinity. While the company focuses on domestic operations, it plans to expand internationally. “We are preparing to venture into exports within the next 6-7 months,” Rani revealed. Today, her focus is to expand her manufacturing capability by adding new machines and serving customers with the highest quality and speedy delivery.
Tulja Tooling is dedicated to staying ahead in the industry by embracing new technologies and continually enhancing their quality control processes. Their commitment is to deliver top-notch services and personalized care to each customer, ensuring that they receive the very best. With over five years of experience, Tulja Tooling has a deep understanding of the precise needs in cutting tool production. They have been crafting a variety of fine boring units for several years, always aiming to meet the high standards of their clients with finesse.
Innovation Not Limited by Gender
“I firmly believe there’s no job that’s solely a man’s or a woman’s work; it all comes down to having courage,” Rani Sharma says. “One should be bold enough to succeed in any field they choose, regardless of gender. Today, as one of the very few women in the tooling industry, I stand as proof of that belief.” Rani Sharma’s entrepreneurial path teaches us the power of perseverance.
A champion for women in manufacturing, she breaks the mould and fosters a culture of equality. Outside of her business, Rani dedicates herself to social causes, especially those that empower women. During the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a pillar of support for women facing turmoil at home. Offering advice, resources, and mentorship, she helped them start and run their businesses, placing women’s empowerment at the heart of her mission.
To those dreaming of their own ventures, Rani’s advice is to stay steadfast in their beliefs and continue forward, regardless of obstacles. “Even today, I choose not to dwell on naysayers. My priority is my work; I concentrate on what needs to be done,” Rani Sharma states. “Giving attention to detractors can hold you back. In the industrial sector, a woman encounters many obstacles, partly due to a prevailing mindset that doesn’t always support women’s growth. But overcoming this is part of my journey, and I remain focused on forging ahead.”
“Hold fast to your dreams and push through the challenges. With relentless will and strength, those dreams can be realized,” she encourages. Leading Tulja Tooling’s advancement with resilience and innovative spirit, Rani Sharma stands as an inspiration to budding entrepreneurs, proving that passion and tenacity are key in surmounting life’s hurdles. Her life story shows how important it is to find the seeds of opportunity in every challenge.
Tulja Tooling is situated in the bustling manufacturing hub of Waluj, Aurangabad in Maharashtra. India’s cutting tool industry faces the pressure of competing with inexpensive imports, but Rani Sharma’s enterprise shines. Her strength and love for manufacturing are the foundations upon which she has built her company. Rani’s story is one of enduring against the tide with grace and determination, a narrative that continues to unfold and inspire, as she leads her business towards a future bright with promise and excellence.
