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Nirmal's Blog

Nirmal's Blog

30 Stories: Auburn Foodie Sisters

  August 12, 2020 August 12, 2020

@auburnfoodiesisters Story by @thestorieshub

We are two sisters from Auburn who love everything related to food. 

Auburn, Alabama is our home, where we grew up, and very close to our hearts. From our early days of tailgating while eating barbecue before football games, grabbing a quick bite at Chick-fil-A before attending classes, to drinking lemonade at Toomer’s Corner while relaxing on Samford Lawn, we have watched the culinary landscape in Auburn grow tremendously throughout the years. 

We decided to share our love of food and Auburn with you through our Instagram page. As the town’s culinary scene got larger, so did our appetites to discover, highlight, and share the best food spots. Join us on our food journey to tell the world about Auburn’s amazing eats, while supporting local Auburn and Opelika businesses.

Bio: Auburnfoodiesisters is an Instagram page started by two sisters covering amazing eats around Auburn while supporting local businesses. Follow their food journey @auburnfoodiesisters

Image credit: Auburnfoodiesisters Instagram

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Miss Moti

  August 11, 2020 August 11, 2020

“Moti” in the Nepalese language can mean a plump woman or it can also mean a pearl if you say it with a softer “T”. 

Miss Moti was born out of my own struggle with weight. A friend of mine had given me the nickname Moti. Thus, when searching for a name for my comic character, I realized that Moti would be the perfect fit. This character would represent a woman who was plump and also display a sense of purity and innocence. 

The emphasis of ‘beauty’ in our society leads many people to have a negative body image about themselves, especially when it comes to weight. In a world that places so much importance on appearance, Miss Moti is a superhero out to conquer her world. She does not let anything, including her weight hold her back in life. For me, Miss Moti advocates that we should not let our insecurities and body image stop us from chasing our dreams and goals in life. 

Bio: Kripa Joshi is an Illustrator and Comic Artist from Nepal. She pursued her MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City where she started making comics and developed the character of Miss Moti. Follow her @missmoti_vation

Image credit: missmoti.com

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Bhav Products

  August 9, 2020 August 9, 2020

@bhavproducts Story by @thestorieshub

A customer recently wrote to me “All Bhav Products are so creative, that you can’t help not being the same once you start using them. My long lost skills of calligraphy, doodling, and sketching have found a new earth to pour again all my creative ink into! Highly recommended!”

When one of your creations gets appreciated like that, I feel pure joy. Bhav began as a determined, personal attempt at creating the best notebook possible for my own use. When I did not find what I was looking for in the market, I thought why don’t I make it myself. However, starting out I never imagined that it’d be hard. In my mind, I thought that I’d just buy a bunch of paper, design it, print it, and sell it. It required me to evolve and work along with suppliers who initially disregarded my queries or give me an empty promise of calling me later. I was committed to bring quality stationary in the market, so I worked with suppliers and made the best use of what was available. 

I love Nepali words and Bhav was a word I had been in love with for a long time. Since notebooks are something we pour our hearts out in, Bhav just clicked in. In addition, me being someone who’s into marketing, the word seemed like a short and sweet one that was easy to remember.

Bio: Bhintuna Jyapoo established Bhav Products in December 2014 to fill in the gap that was ever widening between enthusiast and quality stationery.
Bhav products is a Nepali brand that sells a wide range of creative stationery supplies. Follow @bhavproducts

Image credit: @siraj.ig

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Promise Tamang

  August 9, 2020 August 9, 2020

@promisetamang Story by @thestorieshub

Makeup is a language to me. It allows me to communicate with millions of people around the world through my transformation. I am blessed and thankful for the platform to teach millions of people and entertain as a human chameleon by transforming into different celebrities and fictional characters.

My 13 year old self would have never imagined all of these would happen one day. I have been able to travel the world and work with so many big brands and companies (Pepsi, Disney, Sony, etc.), judged beauty contests, and became faces for make-up campaigns. It has been very rewarding so far.

My sweet husband, Steve, family members, Nimbus-my cute dog, and Poki-the sweetest most precious Hedgehog ever, also make special appearances in my YouTube videos. Having started doing makeup as a hobby, I am now very thankful to spread happiness and bring joy globally with my language. 

Bio: Promise Tamang is known as Human Chameleon. She is a Make-up Guru and shares her celebrity and fictional character transformations on social media. Follow her @promisetamang

Image credit: 9Gag

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Paras Khadka

  August 7, 2020 August 7, 2020

@paraskhadka77 Story by @thestorieshub

Cricket always came first. There were other sports I liked growing up such as football, basketball, and table tennis. However, cricket was love at first sight. From the days I played club-level cricket on Saturdays, where match-winners would win the match ball and the losing team would pay for the cold drinks to playing and representing Nepal cricket on the world stage, my journey has been incredible. 

The proudest moments for me in my cricket career was when we played in the 2014 World Cup and when we achieved One Day International (ODI) status. Nepal felt like a different country after returning from playing in the World Cup, because cricket was played and viewed by the masses. Getting ODI status was also special because with it came recognition and a chance to play against teams with international status. Looking back, these are the two moments that I feel blessed to be a part of.

Join me as I share my story, perspectives, and all things Liverpool on my website and social media.

Bio: Paras Khadka was the captain of Nepal’s cricket team for 10 years (2009-2019). Follow him @paraskhadka77

Image credit: Paras Khadka Facebook page

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Sastodeal

  August 6, 2020 August 6, 2020

@sastodeal_insta Story by @thestorieshub

Dec. 2011
9%
Rs. 50,000

Our journey started with those numbers. Nepal was opening up to E-commerce and by registering SastoDeal, we were not only launching a company, but an industry.

Nepal is still mostly a cash based economy. We love going to shops, feeling the products, conversing and bargaining with the shop owners, and walking out with a great deal in our hands. However, with the changing lifestyles, work schedules, and the convenience of online shopping, the country was beginning to enter a digital economy. With Rs. 50,000 in hand and facing a 9% national internet penetration rate, launching SastoDeal in December 2011 was a pioneering decision. 

Today, Sastodeal is the leading E-commerce company in Nepal.

Bio: Founded in 2011, Sastodeal.com is one of Nepal’s biggest and most popular online shopping platforms. SastoDeal is targeting to achieve Rs 1 billion in annual revenue within the next 18 months.

Follow them @sastodeal_insta

Image credit: Sastodeal Facebook page

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Sipora Gurung

  August 5, 2020 August 5, 2020

@siporagurung Story by @thestorieshub 

My father taught me various outdoor sports such as volleyball, football, and badminton at a young age. I was always a sporty girl from childhood. My father was a huge David Beckham and Manchester United fan and that’s where I get my love for Beckham and Manchester United from.

Almost 15 years ago, I picked up volleyball. Coming back from school at 4 pm and getting to volleyball training by 4:30 pm was my daily schedule. I have so many fond memories of playing volleyball from school level tournaments, to the National Women’s Volleyball Championship. Volleyball is the love of my life and the sport has provided me a global platform to connect with people from all around the world. 

I’m a mountain girl who loves hiking with my father in Nepal. A perfect Saturday for me is morning tea, hiking, and getting lost in nature.

Bio: Sipora Gurung played volleyball for Nepal’s National volleyball team starting at age 12. She has won numerous awards and accolades throughout her volleyball career. Follow her @siporagurung

Image credit: Nepalipaan

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories: Nirmal “Nims” Purja

  August 4, 2020 August 4, 2020

@nimsdai Story by @thestorieshub

“Everything in life is possible armed only with a determined approach and positive mindset.”

This attitude helped me climb the world’s 14 highest peaks (the 8,000ers) in just six months and six days, which I called “Project Possible.” Looking back, I did not grow up in the laps of the Himalayas, instead I was raised in the flatlands of Chitwan, Nepal. My journey of mountain climbing started much later because my initial dream was to become a Gurkha in the British military like my father and brothers. That dream became a reality in 2003.

My passion for mountaineering began on a trek to Everest Base Camp in December 2012, while on leave from my Special Forces duties. The 6,119-meter Lobuche East was the first peak I climbed. The mountaineering continued whenever I could and ultimately led me to embark on a project so impossible that nobody thought I could do it: to summit the world’s 14 highest peaks – the 8,000’ers, in an astonishing 7 months window. At the time, the record stood at just under 8 years. After accomplishing that mission in under 7 months, I can definitely say that the right mindset, planning, and team can make all the difference and change the impossible to possible.

I am equally excited for the next chapter of my enterprise, Nimsdai. Here I share my knowledge and approach of big mountain climbing by teaming up 1:1 and providing commercial client opportunities for breath-taking high-altitude special projects.

Bio: Nirmal “Nims” Purja MBE broke the Guinness world records for climbing the world’s fourteen highest peaks (the 8,000ers) in less than seven months. His book “Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Peaks — My Life In The Death Zone” will be released September 2020. Follow him @nimsdai

Image credit: nimsdai.com

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

30 Stories. 30 Days.

  July 20, 2020 July 20, 2020

From August 1st to August 30th, The Stories Hub is going to feature stories of individuals and brands that represent inspiration, authenticity, creativity, innovation, and are making a difference (locally, nationally and globally).

View this post on Instagram

We are excited to share a new challenge: 30 Stories. 30 Days. From August 1st to August 30th, we are going to feature stories of individuals and brands that represent inspiration, authenticity, creativity, innovation, and are making a difference (locally, nationally and globally). Tell us about individuals and brands that meet the above criteria. We would love to feature them as one of our 30 stories. Please share this post with your network. We want to hear, highlight, and share the amazing stories. One of them could be your story. Let the stories begin!!! #story #stories #positivestories #globalstories #ourstories #personalstorytelling #brandstory #businessstorytelling #businessstories #storiesofinspiration #powerofstories #scienceofstorytelling #artofstorytelling #storiesofourtimes Image credit: @siraj.ig

A post shared by Stories Hub (@thestorieshub) on

If you know of individuals and brands that meet the above criteria, do share with The Stories Hub. That story could be one of the 30 stories.

Please share this blog post with your network. Stories Hub wants to hear, highlight, and share the amazing stories. One of them could be your story. Let the stories begin!!!

1,000 business cards

  May 25, 2020 May 25, 2020

Bryan was excited about printing 1,000 business cards for his new business. A founder starting his entrepreneurial journey, he wanted to let the world know that his business had arrived. That excitement carried over to me and I was just as ecstatic about the business cards. A college friend who wanted to start an online jewelery business, Bryan reached out to me to help him out on business development. A young me who had just finished college was totally on board. I was always fascinated by startups and Bryan’s pitch was an easy sell.

A budding business needs clients and we get clients by giving out business cards. Business cards make us credible and confirm that we have a presence. We thought “How will we get our upcoming brand promoted at events, conferences, and seminars without business cards?”

Do we really need 1,000 business cards?

When Bryan told me that he had found a good deal from a printing place on 1,000 business cards, I was like of course we’ll be going through them quickly. So he ordered 1,000 for himself and another 1,000 for the business development wizard (that’s me!). Little did we know that a few months later, I would have used only 30 of them. The rest of the business cards would be collecting dust on the desk.

Trying to become the next Steve Jobs

  April 30, 2020 April 30, 2020

I’m going to be the next Steve Jobs. That’s what I was thinking to myself.

I had a business idea that I believed was going to change the world. It was an idea I had been pondering about for the last few months.

Upon researching start up events, I found out that the first ever Startup Weekend was coming to town on February 2013 in Nepal’s capital-Kathmandu. This would be a great place to test out my business idea, so I registered to attend this event.

The day before the event, I looked at myself in the mirror and asked one question repeatedly:

What are the consequences of publicly sharing my idea at the Startup Weekend Kathmandu?

I weighed the pros and cons of sharing that idea at the Startup Weekend Kathmandu. I was thrilled to be participating in the competition and wanted to fully utilize my time in it. However, the above question kept coming back to me and I couldn’t decide what would be the best course of action.

After much contemplation of various scenarios, I decided to share the idea because the benefits of sharing outweighed not sharing it. By sharing my idea to an audience, I would know if the idea could become a business. Holding on to an idea that could not become a business would not be useful to me.

On that Friday evening at the Startup Weekend, I stood behind 10 individuals waiting for my turn to pitch the idea on stage. Behind me, there were about 30 more aspiring entrepreneurs equally excited to share their ideas. Waiting in that line had my nerves excited and my heart beating faster. The abundant energy in that hall invigorated me and I couldn’t wait to get on that stage to pitch my idea in 1 minute. 1 minute was all I had to explain my idea that could change everything.

When my turn came, I went on the stage and pitched my idea of a mobile/web app that allowed users to download books from Nepali writers and read them through the app anywhere in the world.

Over the course of the three day Startup Weekend Kathmandu, we created a team and built the idea. After working and iterating the idea for more than 50 hours, we had a prototype ready to be presented to the judges on the final day. The three judges actively listened, looked at our prototype, and asked us questions. At the end of the event, the results were announced and we had earned the 1st runner up position in the startup competition. Our team was ecstatic and we were congratulated by many attendees that night. That was a special evening for our team and in the ensuing days, we were featured on tech blogs and national newspapers.

If I had not participated in that event, the idea of a mobile/web app for book lovers would have stayed in my head forever. Additionally, I would have never received such amount of valuable feedback in a short period of time and validated if the idea made business sense. There are moments in our lives when we are presented with an opportunity and we have to strike it when it’s hot. That moment for me came in the form of Startup Weekend Kathmandu. I also realized that you can make a difference in the world if we shared our ideas rather than holding on to them.

After the Startup Weekend Kathmandu, I didn’t become the next Steve Jobs, but I became a much better Nirmal Thapa.

Perspectives on life

  April 17, 2020 April 17, 2020

I’m always curious to hear about different perspectives on life. Perspectives are windows to how people see the world. Two people can be looking at the same thing and have two different perspectives.

Here’s a perspective that I really enjoyed listening to: Harvard Business School AASU Conference: Kasseem Dean Keynote

Some thoughts shared by Kasseem that I really liked were:

No matter what you do in life, you should always be a student. You can be a boss and a student at the same time. You can be a leader and a student at the same time because I feel that when you stop being a student you cut off all of your areas for learning.

We need to invest in ourselves more. We can tell the world about what everybody else is doing but when was the last time we looked in the mirror and made a better us.

My saying is sky is not the limit, it’s just your view.

My leadership style was transition…… transition is the most critical thing in your business because it can be the result of you making a lot of money or losing a lot of money.

The best advice always been do whatever you feel. Do whatever your heart tells you to do. Follow your passion. Follow your goals. Follow your dreams.

Our town is going to make jeans again

  March 18, 2020 March 18, 2020

I love this story.

From Hiut Denim Co.’s website:

Cardigan is a small town of 4,000 good people. 400 of them used to make jeans. They made 35,000 pairs a week. For three decades.

Then one day the factory closed. It left town. But all that skill and knowhow remained. Without any way of showing the world what they could do.

That’s why we have started The Hiut Denim Company. To bring manufacturing back home. To use all that skill on our doorstep. And to breathe new life into our town.

As one of the Grand Masters said to me when I was interviewing: “This is what I know how to do. This is what I do best.” I just sat there thinking I have to make this work.

So yes, our town is going to make jeans again.

Here goes.

The billion dollar idea (in your head)

  February 20, 2020 February 20, 2020

Ideas are great. A lot of times that big startup idea might just be in your head. You feel that your idea will change everything. It could be the next big thing out there. The temptation is to hold on to the idea and not tell it to everyone because then they might go and execute it. It’s your idea and you hold on to it tightly.

I was in a similar situation many years ago and had one of those “ideas.” I debated within myself whether sharing that idea in a startup competition would be good or bad. After a while, I decided that the benefits of sharing the idea and “get it tested” was far more important than just holding on to it.

When I shared my idea at the startup competition, many people got excited about it. It gave me confidence that the idea itself was good. However, there were so many things to consider for the idea to be executed properly. I would not have been able to see the idea from different angles had I not shared it at the competition. Also we won 2nd place in that first ever Startup Weekend Competition 2013 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Book summary of The Sixth Man: A Memoir

  February 2, 2020 February 2, 2020

I had put the book The Sixth Man: A Memoir by Andre Iguodala of the NBA champions Golden State Warriors on my book bucket list last year. I’m thrilled to have just finished reading it.

The Sixth Man is a beautifully written memoir. The book chronicles Andre’s upbringing in Springfield, Illinois, his high school and college basketball careers and eventually his journey in the NBA. Having always been interested in the stories of ball players and the NBA for a long time, the memoir gave me a glimpse into the life of one of the game’s smartest players. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in Andre, NBA, professional black athletes, Golden State Warriors, or just love to read a great story. Enjoy.

The Vision

  December 29, 2019 December 29, 2019

Vision is a powerful thing.

A big and meaningful vision has a gravitational pull. It attracts people and can motivate them at a deeper level. In this blog, Why You Need to Create Visions (Not Just Goals) it states that Vision is your why. Vision gives something direction. It’s your desired future. 

Although words like vision, goals, and purpose are commonly used these days, having a vision and following through it can work wonders. When you write down your vision in a notebook (I prefer notebooks over notepads), it becomes real, motivating and reinforcing.

What’s your vision?