Entrepreneurship should start from small-scale investment, backed by high confidence & commitment: Expert says

KATHMANDU: Entrepreneurship is not only about investing on a large scale; it takes small steps and courage to start and sustain a business, a panel of experts opined in the 37th Edition of MediaTalk series held at St. Xavier’s College.

In an interaction, Jagannath Maharjan, Managing Director of Khajurico, Nepal, encouraged budding entrepreneurs to start small for a bigger future.

“I also started a small business from my own house. Even the flours were scarce, but I didn’t give up, though the sales stood low. I didn’t give up; I had that determination to take forward my business. For new entrepreneurs, I also would say the same: don’t give up. There is a difference between the theoretical knowledge that is acquired in the course of studies and that exists in the practical phase.”

Highlighting the challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs, Maharjan pointed out that Nepal lacks proper policy regarding startups. “The Nepal Rastra Bank doesn’t have a clear policy about investment in the startup. One who has to start a business must have a mortgage despite having the clear concept and proposal to start a business,” Maharjan highlighted. Maharjan further stated that the trust factor also plays an important role in setting foot in the market. “It is trust that would set your business in the market. That trust needs to exist between the producer and the consumer. On top of that, trust within oneself is utmost,” he said.

Another panelist, Bindra Kachhapati Pradhan, one of the pioneering female interior designers reflecting on her career, stated that confidence is the key to success. “If you don’t have enough funds to start working on your own, you can work somewhere else to save some money and earn experience. Till then, you also need to work on your confidence and use it for the betterment of your business,” Pradhan said.

Sandeep Shrestha, Founder of Sustainability Solutions, a consulting firm, highlighted that entrepreneurship should be intangible, focusing on setting up your brand image in the market.“Entrepreneurship always does not need to be business- or profit-oriented; rather, it should be intangible and focus on establishing brand value. If you want to make money, you can make it anywhere in the world; it requires proper exposure and life skills,” Shrestha said.

“Great entrepreneurs are beyond dreamers. This MediaTalk series xxxvii aims to trigger young minds to lead with purpose and innovation. Through this series, we invite our students to embrace entrepreneurship as a force for positive change. May this Media Talk series inspire our students to think boldly, act wisely, and transform every challenge into opportunity.” Fr. Dr. Augustine Thomas, S.J., Principal at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, remarked.

Chun Bahadur Gurung, Faculty Coordinator, MediaTalk series, said, “MediaTalk series, an out-of-classroom pedagogy started in 2019, continues to explore and engage students in a range of academic discussions, inviting national and international experts. The series xxxvii focused on academic discourse, emphasizing the significance of entrepreneurship in fostering job creations rather than job seekers. Series xxxvii focused on academic discussions, highlighting the role of entrepreneurship in cultivating job creators instead of job seekers.”