Voxpop: Young entrepreneurs' on running a business

In the era of competition, there are youths who want to start up their businesses, not just in Nepal but everywhere. However, in the context of Nepal, there are only a few young entrepreneurs who are doing well enough to earn a living.

But now that the business field has grown and changed, many entrepreneurs have also changed their strategies. At the present, Social Media has become the most reliable platform for young entrepreneurs. NepalNews talked to some young entrepreneurs about why they decided to run their own businesses.

• Niruta Rai, 19 and Kayung Rai, 20: Owner of Asteria.np/Dharan

 “We were always interested in handmade arts and crafts. And my interest in buying handmade jewelry, but they were not also budget-friendly. So my partner and I decided to make our own and sell them at a reasonable price. It has been around 1 month now and things are getting better but being students it gets hard at times to manage. However, our customers are satisfied with the products,” says Niruta Rai.

• Shiba Bharati, 20: Owner of a thrift clothes store- rerun.bysebuu

“A flourishing new pop culture, thrifting, started gaining its popularity in Nepal only a few years ago. Two years ago, Rojeena Tandukar introduced thrift culture in Nepal. She now runs a popular store called 'Affordable thrift store' at Maitighar. I also got the idea from her and started my own online thrift store (rerun.bysebbu) from June 25, 2021. The business is going well as I have already sold clothing items worth about Rs 25,000. Thrift is a very affordable and sustainable way of being fashionable at the time being," says Shiba Bharati.

• Santosh Khaling Rai, 23: Owner of Reverse Zone Restaurant

“Many youths want to go abroad but I believe that we can do something here if we have patience and believe in what we want to do. As the saying, 'if you plant a seed today, it won’t grow into a tree in a day, it takes time and effort', businesses are the same. While my parents wanted me to join the military, my dream was to start my own business. The restaurant that I own today was used to be a hangout place for my friends and me. Due to lockdown and COVID-19, the past owner was having a problem running this place that is how I bought this place. It has not been that long and I also had a hard time paying rent and bills but not even once did the thought of giving up come in my mind," explains Santosh Khaling Rai. "Today the place is running smoothly and I have other plans for the future," he adds.

• Sagar Shahi, 22: Owner of New Hajurko Fresh House

“Honestly I never thought I will end up owning my own business one day, I had other plans. My parents started doing meat supplying business ever since I was a child, and I used to watch them. Slowly I began to stay at the meat shop and help them. I was just 19 years old when I officially ran the shop by myself. I faced financial difficulties but now I run three more meat shops in Kathmandu and have one poultry farm today. I will always be thankful to my parents for trusting me and teaching whatever I know today. And as for the future, I am planning to increase my business and open more outlets," says Shahi.