A woman entrepreneur who is not afraid to try – Pooja Joshi

I am mainly a hostel professional. It has been almost more than 12 years since I started my hostel business. The hostel business has come to a standstill due to the closure of the Corona epidemic. Although the source of income was closed, the expenses were constant.

Although the lockdown passed happily for some time, the pressure gradually started to feel. The mind seemed to be empty. I learned pickle making skills about 18 years ago while working as a housewife and teacher. Even in between I used to feed pickles that I made for my own and some friends’ hostels, to their families. Everyone loved pickles, but I never thought of taking it as a business. Maybe it is because of the busy work of the hostel. Later, when I understood the same thing a little deeper during the lockdown, I started professionally because I thought, ‘Why not do what I want to do?’

I loved making seasonal pickles. I used to use whatever was in season. I got constant support and encouragement from my family and friends, maybe this gave me confidence in myself. I started making pickles.I  wasn’t sure if it would sell or not. It came to mind that it would be good if it is sold, otherwise it should be shared among hostels and relatives. We were clear about the fact that social media can help in business expansion, so we have shown our presence on various social media from the very beginning.

Customers who had previously eaten our pickles started using it continuously. Due to their recommendations, others started coming. Slowly we became successful. Along with retail, I also started giving wholesale in some marts. A very good response and demand started coming from there as well.

We now have 22 dishes of pickles, both veg and non-veg. We have continuously gone ahead with preparing healthy and delicious pickles. The pickles demand is also increasing in the Nepali market. It seems that the demand for Nepali pickles is not good only in the country but also abroad. The hostel is closed and in such a situation there is no desire to hire new staff, and now production is being done through limited resources. But now as the environment becomes easier, we are preparing to further expand our production capacity and market.

While working as a female businessman, it was definitely difficult at starting, but with the help and support of family, friends, I have experienced that working is very easy. 

If someone is thinking of coming to this business, I would like to say that it is very fun, but if you come with your own different taste and training, it will be very easy. Never hesitate to seek help from anyone.

(This conversation is based on video interview with the founder of Daughters Home Achar, Mrs. Pooja Joshi.)