Bina Kumari Hamal Thakuri
From Quiet Homemaker to Confident Entrepreneur: Bina’s Journey of Hope
Bina Kumari Hamal Thakuri’s life was once marked by quiet days spent looking after her home and family in the village of Jhyalbas, Nawalpur. She never imagined herself running a business. Her days were full with household chores, and the idea of starting something of her own seemed far away. Her husband had been working abroad for eleven long years, sending money to build the small house they now lived in. But for Bina, there was always a worry resting quietly at the back of her mind—what would happen to her family once he returned? They had no land, no savings, and she had no formal education or experience in business.
She often felt invisible, rarely spoke up in community gatherings, and the thought of stepping out to try something new felt impossible. Confidence was something she had little of, and self-doubt was a constant companion. For a long time, the role of a homemaker was her world.
A small spark of hope arrived through her brother-in-law, who worked at a bread factory. He suggested they start a bread business together. At first, Bina wasn’t sure. She had never imagined herself as an entrepreneur, and she worried about how she could manage both her household and a new venture. Yet, with careful effort, the family pooled their resources and started baking bread. It wasn’t easy. Her husband returned from abroad, and learning new skills alongside her was slow but steady work. Their son, fresh from finishing his studies, joined in too, making the workload lighter.
As their business grew, they made a courageous choice to bring it home, shifting from a distant workplace to running their bakery right under their own roof. This meant less time commuting, more time with family, and better earnings than what had been possible from foreign employment. The small kitchen that once only held meals became a place of possibility.
One day, a field facilitator from the GEEP program visited them and shared a chance to join a business support initiative. Bina hesitated at first. The thought of balancing time for training and the fear of stepping into something unknown weighed on her. But the hope to make their business stronger pushed her forward. When they were selected among the top 40 entrepreneurs, hope blossomed within her. Through GEEP, Bina experienced a new world of learning — how to plan her business carefully, understand marketing, face challenges with new strategies, and use technology that made their work easier and faster. With a grant from the program, they bought a combined mill that could grind ingredients much quicker, boosting their production.
Their bakery grew. They began making not just bread, but cream rolls, puff pastries, toasts, cakes, barfi, and coconut biscuits. What was once a small family hobby had become a bustling industry supporting three family members and five others from the community.
This journey transformed Bina. The woman who had once felt invisible had become a beacon of hope. She stands taller in her community, confident in her voice. The worry about the future has shifted into dreams that reach far beyond their home. She no longer sees herself bound by limitations or doubt. Instead, she dreams of inspiring others—encouraging Nepalis to believe in their potential, to dare to start their own journeys, and to build a thriving entrepreneurial Nepal.
Bina’s story carries a simple but powerful message: with courage, support, and belief, even the quietest voices can grow into vibrant stories of hope and success.
“I stand taller in my community, confident in my voice and dream of inspiring others."