Ramesh Bahadur Rawal, a 28-year-old hotelier from Shuklaphanta Municipality-10, Jhalari, embodies the adage, “Those who try never fail.” Starting his hotel business at the young age of 18, Rawal has established himself as a diligent and successful entrepreneur. His daily routine involves serving customers from 6 AM to 9 PM, dedicating his time and energy entirely to his hotel.
Rawal’s hotel business has grown significantly, with daily transactions exceeding NPR 30,000. After covering expenses such as worker wages and necessary food supplies, he earns a daily income of NPR 5,000 to NPR 7,000. His hotel is a popular choice among construction workers, employees, and those working in the transportation sector. “The hotel’s monthly transactions range from NPR 2 million to NPR 2.5 million,” he said, “resulting in a monthly income of around NPR 200,000.”
The income from the hotel not only covers household expenses but also provides for medical care, clothing, and food. Rawal’s father, Dhan Bahadur, started the hotel business in 2008 with an initial investment of NPR 10,000. Today, Ramesh has invested NPR 2.5 million in the business. “My father started the hotel by borrowing money from acquaintances,” he recalled, “Initially, there were few customers, and the income was meager, making it difficult to sustain the household. However, as urbanization increased, more customers began visiting the hotel for meals and snacks, leading to a rise in income.”
“As fewer customers were coming when my father ran the hotel in the traditional way, I realized the need to modernize the management to attract more customers. Once we implemented these changes, more people began to enjoy our meals, and our income steadily increased,” Rawal explained. He has continuously reinvested his earnings back into the hotel to further its growth. Watching others lead comfortable lives through the hotel business has only strengthened his dedication to the profession.
Resident Hemraj Pandey shared that Rawal’s hotel is a preferred choice due to its cleanliness, affordable prices, and the traditional taste of its meals. “The hotel owner’s habit of smiling and speaking politely to customers is very appealing,” Pandey said, “I come here because the food has a homely, authentic flavor.”
In addition to running the hotel, Rawal has also pursued higher education in management. From his hotel earnings, he purchased a plot of land worth over NPR 5 million in Jhalari Bazaar, where he has constructed a 10-room concrete house. Rawal is also actively involved in social work, regularly providing financial assistance to those in need.
He serves as a member of the executive committee of the Kanchanpur Hotel Entrepreneurs Association and is also a member of the Shuklaphanta Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “After completing their plus two, many young people feel the need to go abroad to earn money,” he remarked, “But one doesn’t have to go abroad to earn a good income. By working diligently and winning customers’ trust, it’s possible to make a better living here at home than abroad. Patience and integrity are key to success.”
Rawal’s success story is not unique, as many other hoteliers in Jhalari, located along the East-West Highway, also enjoy substantial earnings from their businesses.
