Ambika Phuyal, a housewife from the Jitpurphedi community, never thought of herself as an entrepreneur. When a local NGO offered her training in making liquid soap, she was skeptical, as was her husband. But something about the chemistry-like process ignited a spark in her. Despite the skepticism of those around her, she invested her time and money in buying materials, guided by a simple yet powerful idea: “Soap is an essential part of daily life.” Today, Ambika not only runs a successful small business providing soap to local restaurants, schools and neighbors; she has become financially independent and a role model for other women in her community.

Ambika’s story is not an isolated case. She is a shining example of a growing wave of social entrepreneurship sweeping Nepal. Young, educated, and ambitious Nepalis, tired of waiting for solutions from the government or big corporations, are taking matters into their own hands. They are creating businesses not only to make a profit, but also to solve their country’s most pressing problems. This wave, born from a unique combination of socio-economic pressures and youthful energy, is changing Nepal from within, offering a new, more sustainable and inclusive path to development.