Sanjay Sapkota and his wife Mukta Sapkota of Jhapa, Mechinagar were thinking five years ago, is it possible to do some business while staying at home? Sanjay left the teaching profession two decades ago and started a stationery business. Their experience and liberation inspired them to choose a new path.

Finally decided to start a home industry, that too without special resources. They only had self-strength, passion and dreams. He made an initial investment of about 20,000 rupees. In 2077, they started a home-made soap industry called 'Herbal Hills'. There was neither a big factory, nor state-of-the-art machines. However, they had confidence.

first exhibited its products at a trade fair near Dhulabari. The aroma, texture and name of the soap caught the attention of the customer. Many people praised it because of its small size and good taste, some of them even expressed their desire to become a distributor. In the first year of

production, the corona epidemic had to be suffered. Market closed, business stopped. "The soap reached the market, but it was difficult to get cash payment", says Sanjay Anubhav. However, this crisis also gave another opportunity. When the government banned the import of soap for beauty products, hotels and homestays started looking for alternatives. Sanjay got an opportunity to introduce the product to the hotels of Dharan, Biratnagar, Jhapa and Elam in the east. Hotels liked the soap and started placing regular orders. "That became a big inspiration for us", says Mukta. 

'Herbal Hills' products are made from natural ingredients. Soap is prepared in various fragrances by mixing ingredients such as rice, potato, cinnamon, honey, milk, saffron, and charcoal. Along with these materials available at home, caustic soda, glycerin and coconut oil are brought from India. Food colors and oils extracted from flowers are added to make the soap attractive.

In the beginning, soap was produced with 14 types of flavors. Chocolate, coffee, buttermilk etc. At present, according to the demand, only five main varieties are concentrated. Sanjay says, "We had to incur losses due to the production of many flavors. We have learned from that mistake and moved forward."

There is no machine. Soap making is done in the empty kitchen after cooking. This work is usually handled by Mukta. All processes of soap production are done by hand. Even if it is in small quantity, monthly production is up to 5-6 thousand dallas.

The demand for hotels and homestays in Nepal is increasing. Along with that, orders have also started coming from the nearby Indian cities of Panitanki, Naxalbari and Mirik. "Customers from India come to Nepal and buy them in large quantities", says Sanjay, "now there is a plan to gradually export to India."