On 25th May 2023, Bikalpa-an Alternative, in association with CIPE, organized an inspiring entrepreneurship talk show program called “Udhyami ka Kura” at Hotel Shree Krishna in Biratnagar. The event aimed to motivate and empower young aspiring entrepreneurs by showcasing real-life success stories and providing them a platform for networking and idea sharing.
Mr. Gopal kafle was invited as a guest speaker at a recent event. Mr. Gopal Kafle,is the Founder / CEO of Aloe Herbal, Senior Vice president of FNCSI and a leading businessperson. The event began with a welcoming speech from Mrs. Shrestika Neupane, the Reasearcher of Bikalpa an Alternative, at 3:30 pm. The guest speaker, shared his inspiring entrepreneurship journey with the audience. Mr. Kafle shared his remarkable journey of becoming an entrepreneur, which originated from humble beginnings. He recounted his childhood in a rural village in Nepal’s Sankhuwabha district, where daily life was challenging. He vividly described the struggles of relying on oil lamps due to the absence of electricity and the need to walk a kilometer to fetch water due to the lack of proper infrastructure. Additionally, he mentioned the absence of a local market, which necessitated traveling to Hille to purchase essential goods. As the eldest son of a financially disadvantaged family, Mr. Kafle felt a strong responsibility to support his loved ones from a young age. This early exposure to challenges and difficulties in life helped shape his understanding and resilience. He said till primary level he studied in Faradni at his village. In 2054 B.S., he relocated to Biratnagar, where he enrolled in Pokhariya Secondary School and completed his education until the tenth grade.
From a young age, Mr. Kafle harbored a deep desire to pursue independent ventures. Following his SLC exams, he began a job search and found work as a marketer, engaging in door-to-door marketing for an Indian company. At that time, he used to do marketing of the product by going to different shops and houses. During this period, he also received a promotion to a higher position. While working in that company, he nurtured the idea of starting his own business, eventually leading to his trading enterprise’s establishment in 2060 B.S.
After the realization that he wanted to produce his products while running his trading business, he further expanded his knowledge by studying Ayurvedic medicine in 2063 B.S. He established his own company, Medicine Herbal and skincare products. Due to the nature of its products, the company had to register with the Department of Drug Administration.
He said in the beginning phase, he used different marketing strategies at his work. He also traveled to Delhi and Calcutta, where he received marketing training. During this period, he encountered challenges, but he also seized the opportunity to share his knowledge with others. He provided marketing training to his friends and encouraged them to pursue entrepreneurship. Remarkably, he assisted over 100 individuals in becoming entrepreneurs and trained over 1000 people in marketing strategies. He also visited 42 locations across Nepal, conducted marketing training sessions, and established a training center there. He also shared that, adapting to new Korean technologies and innovative formulas, his company expanded its reach and now exports various products to foreign countries, including Australia.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Mr. Kafle also faced challenges along the way. He said that initially, his family members were skeptical about his chosen career path as an entrepreneur. They believed that a stable job would offer more security and financial stability. However, his unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of success eventually convinced them of his capabilities. Another formidable challenge he encountered while establishing his company was obtaining bank loans for business capital. Initially, financial institutions were reluctant to extend loans to him, doubting his ability to succeed. Undeterred, he explored alternative avenues to fund his business. Mr. Kafle turned to his friends, borrowing money from them to support his entrepreneurial venture.
Additionally, he made the difficult decision to sell his land, utilizing the proceeds as capital for his business. He said in today’s date they had three companies running successfully and have their future project ahead. Mr. Kafle’s inspiring narrative resonated with the audience, particularly the young aspiring entrepreneurs. His journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success served as a powerful testament to the possibilities that lie within everyone. The event concluded with enthusiastic participants engaging in networking sessions, exchanging ideas, and building connections within the entrepreneurial community. Evidently, the program had successfully created an environment of inspiration and collaboration, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship among the attendees.