An entrepreneur, an inspiration, and a role model Tarkeshwor municipality-3, Jitpurphedi Thulagaun
Ambika Phuyal is an role model liquid soap entrepreneur from Jitpurphedi community. She is a loving mother of two children and a busy housewife who has been married almost for 20 years. Like many other women in Jitpurphedi she adopted Thulagaun as her home after her marriage.
When VIN approached her cooperative group for soap making training she had no idea what she signed up for. When the training was over, she was sure of one thing, and that was to make liquid soap by herself at home. She was fascinated and intrigued by the whole procedure of soap making- it was as if a new student was introduced to chemistry for the first time in the lab.
Not thinking twice, she went to purchase all the required materials for liquid soap by herself. Many women who took the training with her backed down from the idea of starting their own business because they were too skeptical about chemical handling and market availability. In the beginning, even her husband discouraged her to embark on her passion but she was very invested and interested in the project to mind the negative noises around her.
According to her, “soap is an essential part of daily life and you don’t really have a choice to opt out of it”. She saw opportunity everywhere; in every household and in every business around her community. With nothing but her conviction and a newly found passion, she went on to make more than 100 bottles of liquid soap. Today, her regular customers include neighboring restaurants, cafes, schools, party palaces, friends, relatives and her neighbors. She thinks she got more than she had bargained for. The money she earns from selling has made her independent, self reliant and has also improved her attitude towards everything. She has a new mantra these days- “if you love doing something, don’t think twice, just do it”.
She is very thankful to VIN for awakening in her passion and interest she knew nothing of before. She knows what she wants in future- that is to acquire logo and see her products in the selves of department stores. We wish her all the best and we salute her courage and grit.
Submitted by: Punam Gurung, local volunteer
Submitted on: 11/1/2019
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