Sharing joys through Entrepreneurship

Yelamber humbly denies that he is a multi-tasker. A professional golfer and a hobbist climber, the 27-year-old has also been running MakaluWear since 2008 along with his partner Monica Sherchan. He credits the company’s accomplishment to Monica.



The idea of MakaluWear hatched in 2007 when the duo participated in a climbing festival in the US.[break]



“Almost everything from the event’s setup, from prayer flags to its vibes, reminded us of Nepal,” says Yelamber. However, what was missing in that crowd of international adventure gears was a brand that represented true Nepali essence.



A year later, MakaluWear set up its first booth with a range of eco-friendly organic t-shirts during Rocktober Fest in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, US.



“The profit from the sale was contributed to Himanchal Education Foundation,” informs the graduate in Human Resource Management.







Currently, the brand sells from Clinton Ville Outfitters, an outdoor gear store in Ohio, US. And their hemp chalk bags manufactured in Nepal is one of the top selling items.



Besides tying up with other organizations to help communities, his own traveling and bouldering ventures have also helped Yelamber remain in touch with reality.



He, along with Monica and friends, traveled to Kot Gaun in Gorkha earlier this year to help Siddhi Primary School set up a library, art class, and a mini medical supply clinic, besides distributing sporting equipments.



“Whenever time allowed, we visited Kot Gaun for bouldering. There we saw schoolchildren playing with deflated balls. And they were the happiest people. Back in Kathmandu, we would’ve taken such moments for granted, and that ball would’ve landed in a dumpster,” ponders Yelamber, who emphasizes that MakaluWear is all about sharing joys.



Of the several projects, in 2009 the company also introduced Buy One, Give One project.



“With each purchase made at MakaluWear, a hoodie or a pair of shoes was gifted to a child in the villages neighboring the Makalu-Barun National Park,” informs Yelamber, who is also a member of Nepal Professional Golfers Association and has been playing since the age of 16.



He has represented Nepal in several tournaments, such as the Asian Games 2006 in Doha, Malaysian Open 2001, and SAF games. Apart from traveling back and forth to the US, he manages to play monthly tournaments for the Association.



On personal note, apart from his ventures and life observations, Yelamber’s humility can be pretty infectious. Visit him at makaluwear.wordpress.com for more details.

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