Recently, I traveled to Nepal to spend time with my mother, who had just undergone minor dental surgery, and I wanted to be there to support her.  As a surprise, I showed up at her doorstep, and the joy on her face was priceless.

One of the blessings of running my own small business, Himalayas Shop, is the flexibility it gives me to balance work and family, especially since my business is deeply connected to Nepal. Though I live in Australia, I can easily travel back and forth, which gives me the chance to visit my family and enjoy the beauty of my home country whenever I can. The stillness of the mountains and the breathtaking scenery of Nepal never fail to soothe my soul.

During my stay, I spent time with my sister Prathana Shrestha, who plays an essential role in our business, managing manufacturing and product collections in Nepal. Together, we visited the Singing Bowl production factory, where I captured some photos and videos of the hand-making process. It's fascinating to see how much effort goes into creating each bowl. The process starts with melting various metals like copper, zinc, and tin, which are then poured into a mold. Once the metal cools and solidifies, a team of artisans simultaneously hammers the bowl to shape it. It takes at least three people working in harmony to get the perfect shape, and once the initial form is complete, the bowl is carefully tuned and polished to create its distinct sound and beauty.

We also visited several production partners who make our beautiful prayer flags and Thangka paintings. Prayer flags are crafted by hand using 100% cotton. Each flag is screen-printed with sacred mantras and symbols, representing the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space. The flags are cut, stitched, and strung together, ready to spread positive energy and blessings. Thangka paintings, on the other hand, are an intricate art form that requires weeks, if not months, of dedicated work. Skilled artists paint these spiritual masterpieces using natural pigments and delicate brushstrokes, each symbol rich with meaning and tradition.

Another highlight of my trip was visiting Boudhanath Stupa, where my father has been running a shop specializing in Thangka paintings since 1990. As a child, I spent many days at his shop, surrounded by the beauty of Boudhanath and the intricate Thangkas. My uncle used to run the shop back then, and being there again brought back nostalgic memories. It was also a reminder of how these beautiful works of art have always intrigued me, leading to my passion for understanding their deeper symbolism. The Stupa, with its serene energy, is still one of my favorite places to spend time, and it felt like a homecoming.

The remainder of my week was spent at our shop in Thamel, Kathmandu, where I finally got to meet two of our staff members in person. We held meetings and training sessions, brainstorming new ideas for products and strategies for the coming year. It was an enriching experience to spend time with them, building on the work we do remotely.

This short trip to Nepal was not only a reunion with my family but also an opportunity to reconnect with our roots in the business. My mother was overjoyed with my surprise visit, and the week gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

Being an entrepreneur and running Himalayas Shop has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life. It allows me to share the beauty and spirituality of Nepalese handicrafts with the world while staying connected to my family and heritage. The journey of balancing business, family, and my deep love for Nepal continues to inspire and enrich my life in ways I could never have imagined.