It’s easy to get lost in a sea of content when scrolling on social media. But amidst the noise, some stories stand out—stories of passion, perseverance, and creativity. One such story is that of Shreya Tamang, a young entrepreneur who transformed her love for crochet and ribbon flowers into a flourishing business. It started as a simple hobby, and now it has become a thriving venture, with her handcrafted flowers reaching people across Nepal.

Tamang’s fascination with art and craft began early.

“The art and craft class in school used to be one of my favourites,” she recalls. “My mother was into crocheting as well. She made topis, socks, sweaters, and much more. She also taught me how to crochet when I was a kid. So, this art form has been ingrained in my mind since childhood.”

However, it wasn’t until 2023 that she turned this childhood passion into something bigger. While crocheting remained a part of her life, she also found herself drawn to ribbon flowers. Ribbon flowers were visually pleasing, easier to make, and saved time.

While the idea of crafting ribbon flowers seemed exciting, sourcing materials proved to be a challenge.

“Ribbons were either too big or too small,” she explains. “The specific size I needed was hard to find in the market. Eventually, I had to plead with wholesalers to bring in the materials from China.”

Even when the materials arrived, they would often run out quickly. So, she bought in bulk whenever she could to avoid long waiting periods. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to perfecting her craft.

Like many small businesses today, social media played a massive role in Tamang’s success. Initially, she started an Instagram page for her crochet flowers, but building an audience was tough. “For the first three months, I hardly got any views. It was difficult to gain traction. But then, suddenly, one of my videos got boosted, and everything changed,” she says.

One particular video—a bouquet of flowers with a price tag of Rs200 unexpectedly went viral. However, a misunderstanding fueled the engagement: viewers thought she was selling multiple bouquets for Rs200 instead of a single one. “People started reaching out, and I clarified the actual price. Thankfully, they understood and still chose to buy,” she says. This unexpected boost helped her business grow tremendously.

With her audience growing, Tamang refined her content strategy. She began incorporating voiceovers, better storytelling, and visually appealing backgrounds to showcase her work. She also started creating tutorials for those interested in learning the craft. “Surprisingly, many followers wanted to learn how to make ribbon and crochet flowers. They loved my tutorial content, which further increased engagement,” she says.

Tamang runs this business as a full-time undergraduate student and a part-time employee at Joon Media. “Managing time is my biggest challenge,” she admits. “From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and during early mornings, I dedicate myself to creating flowers.”

Despite the tight schedule, she finds immense joy in her work. “Time flies when I am making flowers. It feels so meditative. A few years ago, I used to waste my free time scrolling through social media. Now, I feel so much more productive and fulfilled,” she says.

However, during exam periods, she has no choice but to put her business on hold, which affects her reach and engagement on social media. “I feel like I am missing out, but studies come first,” she says.

Time management isn’t the only hurdle Tamang faces. Delivery logistics pose a significant challenge. Her flowers shipped across Nepal sometimes face delays from landslides and floods, leading to frustrated customers.

“One time, a customer got angry because their order was delayed due to heavy rainfall,” she recalls. “It’s beyond my control, but I understand their frustration.”

Another challenge is meeting customer demands. “Sometimes, customers ask me to make 50 crochet roses within two hours. I have to request extra time because it’s simply impossible,” she says.

Thankfully, Tamang isn’t alone in her journey. Her parents have been very supportive. “Sometimes, my parents help me when I’m in a rush. My father has even learned the craft!” she says proudly.

However, not all customer requests align with her values. “Once, a customer asked me to make a cigarette bouquet, which I declined.”

Despite the struggles, it’s worth it. Some of her most rewarding moments come from seeing how her flowers become part of people’s special life events. “My flowers are used in graduation ceremonies, farewells, and even at the airport when someone is flying abroad. Some customers buy them to surprise their long-distance partners. It makes me feel like my work contributes to their happiness,” she says.

One of the biggest perks of running her own business is financial independence at a young age. “I no longer have to ask my parents for money. I can fulfil my wishes through my earnings,” she shares.

However, the high demand also brings immense pressure. Last Valentine’s Day, she struggled to meet orders due to many requests. “I was crying because I couldn’t keep up. My mother had to console me,” she says. “Customers messaged me a day before Valentine’s, and there were so many requests that I couldn’t even respond.”

While she loves what she does, Tamang also acknowledges the beauty of real flowers. “Sometimes, I feel like I am doing injustice to real flowers. Their beauty is incomparable.”

As she looks to the future, numerous followers have requested that she conduct workshops to share her craft. While she doesn’t have time now, she aims to start after graduation.

“Maybe in the future, I can organise workshops and even offer people the chance to work with me,” she says.