All posts filed under: ENTREPRENEUR

Discover passionate entrepreneurs and read their stories

Rootsandleisure_Soulspeaksbloom

Creator of ‘Soulspeaksbloom’ Nagaland – Vikhozonu Natso, Explains Why She’s Reviving the Art of Handcrafted Flowers

Interview by Menule “Flowers never fail to bring happiness and calmness to people, and I think we can all use more of that in our lives. So I want to bring flowers to more people… flowers in all forms.” Vikhozonu Natso from Nagalandquips with excitement and hope as we sit down to chat about her newly launched brand ‘Soulspeaksbloom’ – a hobby venture, through which she hopes to revive the age-old craft of making artificial flowers – and bring these handcrafted blooms from the DIY table to your living rooms! Just like how a fresh flower can gladden your heart with its fragrance, Soulspeaksbloom’s handcrafted blooms have this unique power to fill you up with a nostalgic whiff of childhood memories and pure joy – of making your very first flower with colored crepe papers during SUPW classes in school! In an age where the art of artificial flower-making is almost forgotten, Vikhozonu Natso from Nagaland –  a lover of crafts and DIY is bringing this familiar, yet almost-forgotten hobby back to trend. Over a …

Rootsandleisure_Phrü Handmade Soap

These Handmade Soaps by an ‘Amateur Soaper’ Will Melt Your Hearts! Meet the Creator Viphrünü Noswe from Nagaland

Interview by Menule I recently came across one of the cutest soaps stamped tastefully with the photo of a K-pop star! Luckily, I found them on Instagram, and on exploring their feed, I discovered a host of interesting soaps, that came in all colors and shapes. They even make ‘solid perfume’ – a moisturizing balm that is scented with lavender essential oil! Turns out, this brand is a local product from Nagaland – called  ‘Phrü Handmade Soap’ aka ‘Amateur Soaper.’ Discovering their range of products has genuinely brought so much joy to my day (that day), and I have been talking about them ever since. So here I am, catching up with the founder /creator herself – Viphrünü Noswe from Nagaland. I interview her about her brand, get her to give us a peek into the soap-making process, and share some behind-the-brand bits like –  the first product she ever made, her favorite afternoon snack, and more! Viphrünü Noswe – Founderof ‘Phrü Handmade Soap’ Menule : Hi Viphrünü, please introduce yourself to our readers. Viphrünü: …

Rootsandleiure-Duia Trailblazers-Meghalaya

Samuel Duia – Adventurer and Founder of ‘Duia Trailblazers’ Talks about Their Exciting Canyon Discovery in Meghalaya!

Interview by Deno Dolie Exploring the mystical Northeast of India is on the top of the bucket list for many, and with the region becoming increasingly accessible, a growing number of local and foreign tourists have been visiting the region in recent years. That said, I personally believe that the real joy of traveling to the Northeast lies in exploring the local gems – in the unknowns. This is where I would like to introduce Samuel Duia from Shillong, a passionate traveler, and founder of ‘Duia Trailblazers‘ – a Govt. recognized tour operator based in Meghalaya whose unique offerings include expert local tours, village stays, local food & culture exploration –  and more. Most notably, Samuel and a team from Bangalore Adventure School (BASCOOL) recently discovered an unexplored canyon in Syntung village – now named (by Samuel’s ‘first descend’ team!) as ‘Upper Shonghang Canyon.’  I chat with Samuel about his venture, responsible tourism, canyoning, and of course, their recent canyon discovery – in detail! Samuel Duia – Founder of ‘Duia Trailblazers‘ Meghalaya posing in front of …

Rootsandleisure_Moi Bake-Nagaland

“I Tried Baking for the First Time after Getting Inspired by the Cooking Shows on TLC” – Meet Self-Taught Baker and Budding Entrepreneur Sony Jemu of ‘Moi Bake’ Nagaland

Interview by Menule. ‘Moi Bake’ is a home-based venture in Nagaland delighting local customers with custom-made cakes and other baked goodies. I chat with Sony Jemu – the baker behind ‘Moi Bake’ – who interestingly picked up this baking hobby at a time she was unemployed post her Masters. “After completion of my masters, I struggled with being an unemployed youth. It was during those days when I would stay home, and watch television shows on TLC. I was especially glued to the baking shows. That’s when I decided to give it a go and try baking myself..” What started as a leisure activity, is today, an admirable venture, enticing and inspiring many around her. And most importantly, it is something that brings Sony much solace and happiness, as a budding entrepreneur – and a happy baker! Meet Sony Jemu, a self-taught baker and budding entrepreneur – and the chief baker behind ‘Moi Bake’ Nagaland. Menule: Hello Sony, nice to meet you. Please introduce yourself to our viewers. Hello, my name is Sony Jemu, owner …

Three Friends from Manipur Introduces us to The Art of ‘Humble Luxury’ in a Cup | Meet the Trio Behind ‘SAM’s Tea House’

Interview by Menule. Three friends from Manipur gave up their city jobs to open their own Tea Shop – SAM’s Tea House in Ukhrul with a mission to do their bit for their local community. The three co-owners of SAM’s Tea House have been friends for decades – since their Higher Secondary days, and today, they run their venture like a family. With their eclectice collection of premium teas – and tea blends, these friends hope to provide the humble luxury of enjoying a high quality cup of tea to tea lovers in Manipur. They’ve come a long way from being friends to running a business together!  The Trio behind “SAM’s Tea House”, Manipur Menule: Hi! Please introduce yourselves to our readers. We are a group of three friends who co-own and run SAM’s Tea House. SAM is an acronym from our initials : Sathingla Shokwungnao, Aggripa Jakoi and Machuk Kora Zimik. Giving up our city jobs, we returned home with the vision to contribute towards our community in our hometown in Ukhrul, Manipur. We wanted …

NYIT Graduate Dominica Jamir from Nagaland Shares Her Excitement about AR and VR Going Mainstream – and Launching Her Own Company in New York

Interview by Supong Arep Growing up in Dimapur Nagaland, 25-year old Tiajungla Dominica Jamir discovered early on that she had a natural flair for computers, gaming – and everything tech. That led her to pursue a computer science degree in Bengaluru. But what we are about to chat about is the interesting journey she undertook post her graduation.  Being the ambitious go-getter that she is, she started exploring deeper into her interests in new-age technologies. That’s when she decided to go for a master’s degree in UX/UI Design and Development, from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), New York City in 2019. She recently graduated summa cum laude (an honorary title used by educational institutions to signify a degree that was earned “with the highest distinction.”) and was the only Indian orator selected from among graduating students to speak at the NYIT 2021 Commencement. She is now on her way to becoming an entrepreneur by co-founding her own AR & VR based startup in NYC.  We chat with Dominica Jamir to get to know …

Rootsandleisure_Runway Nagaland-profile

Meet Nengneithem Hengna, the Woman Behind ‘Runway Nagaland’ – the Most Accessible Brand for Naga Jewelry and Handlooms.

“Dare to live the life you have dreamt for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Today we have Nengneithem Hengna – founder of ‘Runway Nagaland’ who has been quietly making her mark through her jewelry and handloom business. Her venture is run by an all-women team, which started out as a humble store in Nagaland to market local jewelry outside the state. Today, they have three different brands that offer an eclectic collection of traditional Naga jewelry, handwoven crafts, and premium contemporary pieces – that are loved by locals and customers across the country.   Just like their creations, Runway Nagaland continues to be awe-inspiring through its contribution to local employment and women’s empowerment. It’s no wonder that Nengneithem Hengna confidently confirms that she is living her dream life! So – let’s meet the woman behind it all. Here’s a brief chat with the founder, Nengneithem Hengna from Nagaland.  Nengneithem Hengna- Founder of ‘Runway Nagaland’ Supong: Hi, welcome to R&L! So excited about this chat with you finally! Please …

RootsandLeisure_bakers from North East

Small Town Bakers from Northeast India Share Their Portfolio of Cakes and Bakes

“If baking is any labor at all, it’s a labor of love. A love that gets passed from generation to generation.” – Regina Brett Our team at R&L reached out to a bunch of bakers across Northeast India in an attempt to explore the variety of bakers out here. We met some of the most talented bakers from the region – from seasoned bakers to newbies, including a spirited 13-year-old from Arunachal! Each of them shared their favorite baking themes along with a showcase of their creations. Read on to meet this talented bunch and explore their portfolio of bakes & cakes – ranging from abstract to imitation to floral, and more.  Atele Sarah, 27, Baker behind ‘ Baked With Love’ from Nagaland ” I have been baking since 2019. I love anything floral, hence that would be my favorite baking theme. I also like creating designs that are elegant and dainty. I am not a trained baker but I am inspired by a wonderful community of talented bakers. Whenever I have a minute to …

RootsandLeisure_artist_irahomespun

Two Sisters from Kohima are Reinventing Embroidery and Crochet Crafts under Their Brand ‘Ira Homespun’

The pandemic is taking a toll on humans around the world. So it is indeed encouraging to know that this downtime has given many the free time and will to pick up a hobby or start a home venture. Reading about, or talking to such enterprising folks, has given me ample reasons to see the silver lining during this time of gloom. I hope these stories will inspire you too. Very recently, I came across a hobby venture by two sisters Nulevino and Vitsino from Kohima called ‘Ira Homespun.’ These soft-spoken and talented siblings create all sorts of handmade goodies – from embroidered tote bags, to wall pieces to crochet dolls and pretty face masks – with their signature aesthetic of cute. I had a chat with them to know more about what they do full-time, how they picked up their talent (apparently they have a creative mom who has taught them most of their crafts), their future plans, and more. Scroll below to know more about the talented Iralu Sisters and their hobby venture …

RootsandLeisure_melwhisks_pondicherry

Siblings Ayush and Rhea from Pondicherry Talk About their Food Venture ‘Mel Whisks’ – and Their Best-Selling Desserts!

Pondicherry will always have a special place in my heart, as it reminds me so much of home (even while traveling). Although this beach destination is a contrast from my hilly hometown (of Nagaland), the overall vibe of this small town feels pleasantly familiar to the place I grew up in. A former French colony, the local food in Pondy is an eclectic mix of French and South Indian cuisines. And thanks to Pondy friends, I was introduced to a host of cafes and bakers out there, who make the most amazing baked goodies and desserts! On one of my Pondy food expeditions, I came across ‘Mel Whisks’ – a home-based cloud kitchen run by a sibling duo in Pondicherry. They sell mouthwatering gourmet food and desserts. I have been following their Insta page even since the lockdown happened, and have even ordered their desserts jar for my friends there, who have been raving about them ever since! So I got on a call to interview the two people behind ‘Mel Whisks’ – siblings Ayush …