Turning Holidays into Hustle: My Early Venture onto the Entrepreneurial Path

Written by Niraj Jaishwal

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." – Mark Twain

At 16, I started embracing entrepreneurial skills when I began helping my parents with our family’s bag manufacturing business in Nepal. Initially, I immersed myself in learning about our products and the administrative tasks, like managing resources and placing orders. But I was eager to understand the sales and marketing side of the business, too.
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During a three-month holiday break before starting high school at 18, I dove deeper into the sales side of the business. I visited over 100 retailers and wholesalers where I presented samples and explained the unique features of our products. This hands-on experience taught me the benefit of customer interaction and importance of adapting sales strategies. I experimented with different pricing models based on order quantities and offered credit to select customers, which helped build trust and secure long-term relationships.
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These efforts paid off when I secured around 10-15 regular customers who placed weekly orders. To further strengthen our relationships, I offered same-day delivery, making it easier for them to do business with us. This success was a huge motivator, and I began to understand the dynamics of customer demand. This experience taught me the importance of understanding the market and tailoring our approach toward the customers. It also reinforced the value of perseverance and adaptability in business.

My journey in the family business wasn’t just about gaining experience; it was a real-world education in entrepreneurship. Here are some takeaways that could be valuable for any entrepreneur, especially those just starting out...

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Get Started Early:
At 18, I only had knowledge of my product, and I needed more than that to gain customers. To expand my understanding of the market, I dove into the deep end, learning as I went. There is never a perfect moment to start. If you are passionate about something, begin as early as you can. The sooner you start, the sooner you can identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you to adjust your approach. This helped me to understand the complexity of the business.


Conduct Customer Interviews:
One of the most valuable practices I adopted was conducting informal interviews with potential customers during my sales visits. I asked questions to understand their needs, preferences, and challenges. What types of bags were they selling most? What were their customers asking for? How did they feel about the pricing and quality of our bags? These insights were invaluable. They allowed me to tailor offerings and adjust strategies. For any entrepreneur, customer interviews are a goldmine of information that can guide product development, making strategies, and even pricing models. 


Adapt Your Strategies:
In business, one size doesn’t fit all. Early on, I realized that different customers have different needs. Some preferred lower prices, while others were willing to pay more for premium quality. In any market, we need to find where our products align with customers’ demand. The key is to listen to your customers and be willing to adapt your approach to meet their specific needs.


Persevere and Be Resilient:
I failed many times approaching customers. Many customers weren’t interested, and some deals fell through. However, I didn’t let these setbacks discourage me. Instead, I viewed them as learning opportunities. Persistence is crucial in entrepreneurship. Each setback taught me something new and over time it helped refine my approach.


Starting a business presents many opportunities for growth and learning. Entrepreneurs can better overcome these problems by getting started early, listening to customers, adjusting their tactics, and overcoming setbacks. These ideas not only assisted me in securing customers, but they also influenced my entrepreneurial skills.

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