“I used to serve as an IT expert and I was teaching students at a computer training center in Kathmandu. That’s the story almost two decades ago. Life was going smoothly and then the global economic recession started in 2006 which halted the sales of the software we had developed. Even the flux of students in our center started to shrink. When I could no longer hold the economic thrust, I decided to plan for foreign employment.
I saw an advertisement by a reputed coffee company in the UAE for “Barista”. Back then, I had no idea what Barista is liable to do. I had tried to find its meaning in Oxford Dictionary, but even the prestigious dictionary had not mentioned about it. Anyway, I applied for the job and after a couple of rounds of screening and interview, I was selected. I still have no idea what qualities they saw in me, back then, and why was I chosen for the job. Unwittingly, I made a transition from an IT sector to a beverage industry after attending a rigorous training and development programs.
Working in the internationally acclaimed brands of coffee brewers, I was introduced to this whole new avenue of the beverage industry. I perceived that coffee wasn’t just a drink; rather, it’s a culture getting popularity world-wide in urban community. Although I started as a Barista, who brews coffee, I had an opportunity to work for other international coffee brands in a managerial position as well. Of course, the pay was good, but more importantly, I was exposed to professionalism and working culture which is so much revered in the industry.
In order to settle my family affairs, I took a “short leave” and returned home in 2016. But a feeling of doing something in my own soil haunted me. Although I kept receiving handsome offers from my previous employers abroad, I was bent on opening my own business in my home town. Getting exposed to coffee brewing industry overseas, I knew that sky was the limit in this sector.
Back then, Birtamode had just started to take an urban shape. Despite knowing that the paying capacity of the people here wasn’t high yet, I decided to take a risk and open THIRD HOME COFFEE. I invested open heartedly and tried to give the world-class feel that is perceived while entering into outlets of Starbucks. Besides not compromising the quality of beans we brew, I made sure that the ambience of the place would please the customers. I remember one of my relatives had commented that the business like this will shut down in two months, as the consumers who are used to with cheap tea drinks cannot afford for the quality services we were delivering.
It has been five years since this café started brewing and serving exquisite coffee. In less than two years, it paid back my initial investment. Moreover, I have opened another outlet at Damak and next one is expected to be opened very soon at Itahari. Additionally, I have witnessed the operation of other cafés in this area and beyond. Instead of considering them as my competitors, I encourage them to promote coffee as a culture and guide them on the quality of beans and services. Although the COVID situation has tried to impede my speed, I am glad that the growth of the business has been steady. At peak hours, it’s difficult for us to manage a table, even for our loyal customers. And it’s interesting to see the guy, who had once announced that I will shut down the business in two months, gets seated at one corner of the table to order a cup of cappuccino.”
– Ram Tiwari, Birtamode, Jhapa
Mr. Tiwari is the owner of THIRD HOME COFFEE, who brews authentic and exquisite Nepali beans and is engaged in promoting coffee culture in Eastern Nepal.
