Any carnival or celebrations are incomplete without delicious food. Brand Nepal 2021, the carnival celebrating Nepali brands and products, also consists of various authentic Nepali brands delivering tastiest and original products to its customers. Organized by Radio Nagarik 96.5, Brand Nepal Go Local is happening on 18th December, where you can visit and try out various food products of the following brands.

Dip in Donuts

(Manjil Man Shrestha and SafinaManandhar)

Dip in Donuts, Nepal's first exclusive handmade, assorted donut brand started with a vision to create a chain of donut shop. They make donuts, glazes and fillings all from scratch with a view to serve fresh and best quality donuts. Established in 2017, their first outlet was in Baluwatar.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

Work experience, proper planning, patience, trust in your product. Myself, with over 11yrs of experience in sales and marketing and Safina, with over 2 years’ experience in pastry and bakery, we were able to decide on the industry we wanted to enter, the type of product we wanted to offer and to have a vision of where we wanted to be in future.

• What inspired you to run your business?

We always wanted to start our own business focusing on a new, low cost niche bakery product and create a new brand. We focus on promoting our brand name as our vision is to create a chain of donut shop.

• What are your challenges in your business?

Our main challenge when we started our business and still when we start a new location, is to educate people about our new product. We do not have any other bakery products in offer and in our market people expect all bakery product in one shop. This has also been a challenge. Need not say we were also affected by COVID-19 badly as we had to close our Baluwatar outlet.

• How do you overcome your challenges?

Patience and proper planning. We have a vision, a mission and we keep on the same track to achieve our vision. Any other challenges we try and tackle it quickly and move on as any issue kept unmanaged for longer period will be a bigger challenge than what it was to begin with.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

We are glad that we have been part of Brand Nepal event every year and we are expecting more footfalls than previous years as Brand Nepal itself has now established as a platform to promote Nepalese brands and we are looking forward to the fun filled event.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

New and exciting flavors.

 

Fit Box and Fit Bar

(Denim Krishna Shrestha, Founder)

Fitbox is onine food deliver service that delivers healthy meals at your doorsteps, providing you with an easier approach to a healthier lifestyle. Since people these days are extremely busy which limits what or when they can cook they help their customers with healthy meals tailored to their needs cooked with the best ingredients. They also specialize on subscription based programs with timely delivery every day without having the hassle to call every day and order.

Similarly, Fitbar, is an energy bar which you can carry anywhere and specially consu/., mnbvc6yted when you are busy or somewhere far away in the mountains. They have 3 different flavors, peanut butter, honey almond and coffee.

• What inspired you to run your business?

Being a fitness enthusiast since I was a kid, I want to promote a healthy lifestyle in our country and especially see many dietary problems since everybody’s go to meal here is momo and chowmien.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

One thing which kept pushing me forward was the trust my friends and family had on me to do better and grow better.

• What are your challenges in your business?

Since it is a food business it is really difficult to meet people's expectations. Not everybody's taste is the same and satisfying each and every customer is a huge challenge we face.

• How do you overcome your challenges?

We have meetings every now and then with the kitchen team, production team, client servicing departments and discuss problems we face and how to overcome them. What I believe is that getting complaints is the best thing you can have, because there are 2 types of customers, one who complains and the other one who does not complain and keeps it to themselves and never comes back to try our service again. That is why our client servicing team keeps tabs on our customer complaints and our team discusses it ASAP.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

We expect our presence there to make a difference as well as to be a good marketing opportunity for our brands. It's an opportunity not only for us but to all the Nepali brands who have chosen to stay back in their home country and do what they like no matter the situation of the country.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

We will have our products Fitbar placed in our stall and a real food sample on the table to know what quality Fitbox offers our customers.

Sugar Shacks

(Muskan Nahar, owner)

The Sugar Shack is a small home based bakery run by all women. They serve fresh bakes and desserts that you won't normally find in the local bakeries. You can order their products through WhatsApp and Instagram.

• Why did you choose to be in this business?

My love for desserts is what made me choose this field. Also people order desserts for their special day and it makes us extremely happy when we get to be a part of their celebrations.

• What are your challenges in your business?

Being a home based business and an all women run business we have faced alot of challenges. It's also difficult to source a lot of ingredients in Kathmandu. Since we didn't have enough space, we can't buy raw materials in bulk. People don't really take me seriously since I am young and they still want to talk to an elder in the family before working with us. There are new baking trends every week which is difficult to cope up with. We sell products in a larger quantity, not everyone wants to try. Also home bakery is a fairly new concept in town and people are still trying to understand that.

• How do you overcome your challenges?

We have searched for a few vendors outside Kathmandu who can deliver raw materials here for a much lesser price but of good quality. Recently shifted to a lil bigger space where we can store our raw materials. Being proving myself every day with making new desserts which helps me look serious about the business and also that it’s not just an hobby makes it reach to a wider audience. Recently hired someone so that we can complete orders as well as try all the new trends. Putting up stalls in different events has helped us sell our products in pieces and lesser quantities. Being a home baker, we also serve fresh and quality products because of which people have finally started understanding our work.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

This will be our first time with Brand nepal. Since we are only online based, events like this helps us meet more people in person where they can try our products which they usually can't order in small quantities.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

Desserts and breads that they can't easily find in Kathmandu. From biscoff cheesecakes, Garlic Creamcheese buns, baked vadapav and alot of other delicious delicacies.

 

Loco Chips

(Abhisekh Gurung, Founder)

Loco Chips is all about celebrating the small wins in life! With the statement of making Nepalese celebrations become more alive and joyful with their great lines of flavoured local chips and dips, they rigorously work on keeping the chips tastier, crisper healthier and consistent.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

Perspective is the key. Irrational optimism, Seeking thrill in discomforts, A giving nature, Hard work and ability to seek multiple solutions to the single problem are some of the qualities we share and chased as entrepreneurs. We are getting there.

 

• What are your challenges in your business?

International brand who rip off the customers and nation's economy, High Vendor and material cost, having a constant supply of quality potato chips all year round are some of the challenges.

 

• How do you overcome your challenges?

Well, we are figuring it out!

 

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

Exposure to a newer audience base and above all, getting to interact with them in a personal manner is what we expect from this year's Brand Nepal's event.

 

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

Loco chips is breath of a fresh air, especially among the chips lovers who have struggled to find consistent, fresh, tasty and healthy local chips. Besides that, a warm smile is what we are good at too. That's something they can expect at the stalls.

 

Danfe Chocolates

Danfe Chocolate is a Nepali brand that was established in a market to introduce hand-crafted chocolates. This chocolate brand has been an option for international chocolates, souvenirs, corporate gifts, Masala pwo (Masala Packet; a gift given to guests during special occasions of Newar Community).

• What inspired you to run your business?

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur as my father is also a business person. The reason I chose the chocolate business is due to its scope. Nepal imports chocolates and confectionery worth billions of rupees which is gradually increasing. Therefore, the trend of appreciating chocolates is also increasing where I can expand my business even if I target a very niche market. Meanwhile, there was a gradual escalation of Nepalese sentiment for made in Nepal products when I established this brand in the year 2016 (during the Southern Border of Nepal having an issue) which basically was a push factor for me.

• What are your challenges in your business?

The major challenges are: expensive raw materials- Sometimes raw materials are expensive than products in the market. Cocoa products need to be imported as there is no cocoa cultivation in the nation.Packaging cost- Chocolate needs attractive packaging and again the cost of packaging in Nepal is very high as sometimes it cost higher than the chocolate when you do customization. Also, there are many unregistered chocolate brands that sell their products through social media and personal contacts.

• How do you overcome your challenges?

Convincing consumers about the product quality and maintaining consistency of the product quality in terms of flavor, texture, packaging standard and customization as per the customers’ preference with compatible pricing has been the only key to progress my business

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

Since we are showcasing Nepali brand-Danfe Chocolate, one can witness assortments of confectionery, home-made roasted multi-grain satu, bakery products along with Nepali cultural Jigsaw puzzles.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

As I had participated in Brand Nepal Event last year too, I had a wonderful experience with this event. The level of promotion of our brands by this event in daily newspaper-Nagarik and Republica had helped to spread the brands. The crowds received in Danfe Chocolate stall were very supportive and they had appreciated our products. Overall, the event was very successful; however, this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic which is still continued, the organizer would make sure to follow the hygiene protocols as well as I personally expect the Nepalese brand enthusiasts in this event.

Cheese World

(Ramendra Khadgi, Founder)

Cheese World Nepalaya is a five years old company in the business of distributing various types of cheese produce in Nepal as well as importing of various kinds of cheese from different part of the world.

• What inspired you to run your business?

During my childhood time I used to get a piece of cheese from my grandparents. I found something different creamy, energetic taste in it which makes my mouth watery till now. To take a bite of that cheese I had to wait for a whole month. Thus this inspired me to taste make a business in cheese field and to develop cheese culture in Nepal.

 

• What are your challenges in your business?

Unplanned hike on taxes by the government is the major challenges.

 

• How do you overcome your challenges?

I overcome the challenges by selling products on low profit margin, participating on various events like farmers, Brand Nepal events and so on

 

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

My expectation from this year Brand Nepal event is to make people know about our brand and our product. Besides that to gain more potential customers for our products to grow our brand.

 

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

One can expect from our stall during this event is to get the knowledge about various kinds of cheese and other dairy products with their quality along with the greatest taste.

 

Chaku Wasa:

(Bipul Kisi. Co-Founder)

Chaku Wasa: is a newari herbal sweet medicinal confectionery which is traditionally and generally consumed during the winter to keep our body warm and healthy. Chaku Wasa’s recipe is a part of Newari culture which has been sought and handed down to us by our ancestors. With the concept was to preserve the craft from extinction, Chaku Wasa: was started during the lockdown of 2020 AD.

• What inspired you to run your business?

I have been very lucky to be able to consume Chaku Wasa: since my childhood as mamu made it almost every winter. And I believe Chaku Wasa: also helped me have better immunity. But during the lockdown, when the virus hit us all, everyone was looking for alternatives and better eating habits to increase their immunity. And just by coincidence, my uncle put a post on facebook about Chaku Wasa: made by my mamu. People were demanding it like crazy. And the idea struck in all of our minds. 

 

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

As this is a family run business, we discuss everything and make the best decision possible. As everyone is busy, I look after sales, marketing and handle social media while manufacturing, packaging is done with the family in our free time. 

 

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

We want to reach as many people as we can and let them know that this kind of supplement is also available in the market for consumption. We want to let them know that Chaku Wasa: which was once made in common households by our Aji / Aja, is now at everyone's reach.

 

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

You will get to taste Chaku Wasa: and also buy it if you like it and get our cute Hakupatasi: thaili as a gift. They are available in 3 package sizes which are 250gm, 500gm, 1000gm. You will also get to know more about our product and also the instructions for consuming it. 

 

Best Mad Honey

(Sanjey Kafle)

Best Mad Honey is a Nepali brand that sells 100% pure mad honey from the cliff of Nepal harvested by honey hunters. They exclusively harvest Nepal Mad Honey from the Himalayan regions of Nepal from a unique breed of bee that can fly up to 4200 meters (13780 Ft). They are Nepalese based start-up established with a vision to take Nepali products to the global market as well as they are working closely with the honey hunters of Nepal to preserve ancient tradition of ancient tradition of honey hunting.

 

• What inspired to run your business?

As I am a travel enthusiast, I have travelled to lot of different places. I found about this honey when I was travelling and realized that it lacked proper market and branding. There was also lack of storytelling of how people faced difficulties in these honey hunting areas. Therefore, I felt the need to promote this honey to the whole world as well as give back to the community and create opportunities to the local hunters.

 

• What are the key things needed to be an entrepreneur?

The key things needed to be an entrepreneur are: proper network, will to take risk,be innovative and costumer oriented, well updated with status quo and have knowledge on diverse background.

 

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

They can definitely find mad honey. Also, one can get to know about the stories of honey hunters, how the mad honey is sourced and honey hunting expedition.

 

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

I expect to get connected with the community, increase brand visibility, meet people that might be our potential clients and get some sell.