April 4: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has started an interaction programme from April 2, 2021. The programme titled First Friday Talk aims to connect youths and entrepreneurs under its flagship program.
The Start-Up and Innovation Committee of FNCCI invited Gagan Pradhan and his team for the first edition of the talk programme to share their  ideas about establishing Himalayan Java and the success story behind the franchising business of the made-in-Nepal brand.
A goal to establish a small coffee shop of international standard gave birth to Himalayan Java, Gagan Pradhan, co-founder of Himalayan Java, shared.
“Himalayan Java has changed the way people consume the beverage. Our coffee station led to a rise in coffee culture in Nepal,” he added.
Answering the queries of the attendees who were mostly start-up owners, Pradhan informed that besides the coffee and product of Himalayan Java, the core dedicated team has led to the growth and development of Himalayan Java as a successful franchise business in Nepal.
Stating that the founders are more dedicated to the core principle of a company, Pradhan suggested that a company should focus more on forming a good team rather than hiring a business consultant for business promotion.
Likewise, informing that Himalayan Java during the initial phase struggled to meet the operating expenses for almost 2 and a half years, he suggested that start-ups should not quit easily but study the reasons that have been affecting their business.  
Himalayan Java opened its first franchise outlet in Patan in 2017. The company currently aims to open a franchise outlet each month.
Similarly, he informed that identifying and knowing the product is crucial for a company to perform well. Likewise, he suggested that start-ups should not hurry but rather move steadily with their plans.
Currently, Himalayan Java has 32 outlets in Nepal and abroad and is preparing to open a state of art outlet in Durbarmarg.
From its humble beginnings, Himalayan Java has grown into a ‘coffee institution’. Other than the fact that it only uses locally grown coffee, the organization is also involved in bringing in high-quality machines such as roasters, grinders, espresso machines, and commercial urns through Mocca Trading, an arm of the company that also exports Nepali coffee to other countries.

According to Pradhan, the outlet in Durbarmarg is the most expensive coffee store in Nepal, and the company is planning to register its design for trademark.

Speaking about the mistakes made by Himalayan Java, Pradhan shared that the SOP of the franchise model was too big and investors didn't read it. Likewise, hiring a business consultant also didn't work out for the coffee franchise. Similarly,  Pradhan and the team struggled to develop a proper settled warehouse system. Likewise, missing out on developing the data analysis system was one of the major mistakes.
Addressing the welcome speech Ranjit Acharya, committee chair of Start-up and Innovation Committee of FNCCI, informed that the committee initiated the interaction program under its Knowledge series. The team will hold an interaction program with successful entrepreneurs on the first Friday of each month of the English calendar.
The committee is opening an application for the 50 Start-up-50 Investors program on April 7 for connecting aspiring start-ups with investors. Start-ups operating for a year and more from various sectors are eligible to apply. Under the programme, FNCCI will select 50 start-ups and connect them with mentors and 50 investors.  "The program is part of FNCCI to promote entrepreneurship in Nepal," Acharya informed.