A viral social media post has reignited discussion around income disparities, career choices, and the overlooked earning potential of small businesses in India. Content creator Nalini Unagar revealed that a dry-cleaning shop in her neighbourhood earns an average monthly profit of over ₹2 lakh — a figure comparable to the salary of a seasoned software engineer.
Sharing details on X, Unagar said the shop is run by a couple with the help of two salaried workers. According to her account, the business irons around 350 garments daily at ₹10 per piece, generating ₹3,500 per day. In addition, it dry-cleans and irons approximately 20 heavy garments such as suits, lehengas, and premium sarees at ₹350 each, bringing in another ₹7,000 per day. This takes the shop’s daily revenue to roughly ₹10,500.
With only three days off each month, the shop operates for around 27 days, translating to a monthly income of about ₹2.83 lakh. Since the owners operate from their own premises, they incur no rental costs. Their primary expenses include an electricity bill of around ₹6,000 per month and salaries totaling ₹40,000 for two helpers. After expenses, the net profit stands at approximately ₹2.37 lakh.
Unagar noted that while the figures were based on the previous month, the shop owners claimed their average monthly profits consistently exceed ₹2 lakh.
The post sparked widespread reactions online. Many users pointed out that such service-sector businesses are largely immune to automation and artificial intelligence, offering stability, autonomy, and job creation. Others said the story challenges the traditional belief that financial success is limited to white-collar, corporate careers.
At the same time, the discussion also attracted criticism. Some users raised concerns about tax compliance, questioning whether small service businesses with high earnings are paying income tax. Others cautioned against romanticising entrepreneurship, highlighting the risks involved in starting and sustaining a business amid fluctuating demand and fixed operating costs.
Overall, the viral post has opened a broader conversation on the value of skilled blue-collar work, the realities of entrepreneurship, and how success is defined in India’s evolving economy.