In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak, Palas Joshi and Sahara Joshi struggled to buy goods as there were no stores that exclusively offered all women-related goods in one place.

Some of the goods weren’t available on the online platforms either.

Then Tavisi came into existence. It was launched in November 2022 as www.tavisinepal.com.

Tavisi is an e-commerce platform carefully curated for women, by women. Derived from a Sanskrit word, Tavisi means strength, power and courage.

“That’s how the concept of Tavisi emerged. Today, we deliver all the women-related products through one platform,” said Palas Joshi, one of the two co-founders.

Specially made for women, Tavisi provides a wide range of products—with 13 local and 40 international brands.

The online platform has six main categories.

The beauty segment covers skin care, hair care, bath and body products, and make-up while the fashion segment includes jewellery, bags and shoes.

For the mother and child, the company is offering feeding products and items like toys, games and puzzles, including arts and educational toys, and baby essentials such as diapers, mosquito repellents and baby skin care products.

Likewise, under health and hygiene, the company has superfoods, supplements, wellness products such as essential oil and tea, and feminine care essentials such as menstrual cups, tampons and sanitary pads.

The newly-added home and décor segment aims to cover everything from lampshades and table lamps, candles and candle holders to kitchen accessories.

In the ‘Gifts We Love’ section, Tavisi hopes to make gift-giving for women a simpler, more accessible and enjoyable experience.

“We are a new player in the market. We are currently focused on penetrating the market,” Palas said. “We are trying to create our own niche.”

The Joshi duo started the business with a little investment from their own pockets.

“We are encouraged by the demand. It is gradually picking up,” said Palas.

The e-commerce business in Nepal is still not flourishing, if it gets compared to two of giant neighbours—India in the south and China in the north.

A decade ago, muncha.com pioneered the e-commerce segment in the country. It initially targeted the Nepali diaspora who wanted to give gifts to people in Nepal.

The number of Nepali e-commerce users started picking up after the first lockdown that was imposed on March 24, 2020.

E-commerce took a giant leap forward during the second lockdown, which started in April 2021 and lasted four months. More and more people started shopping online.

Tavisi, too, entered the competitive online market, but with a unique concept.

One of the unique aspects of Tavisi is the jute bags that come along with every delivery.

Motivated by the circular economy model, Tavisi packaging embraces sustainable packaging methods. The company does not use plastics.

Customers are provided with two options: either return the jute bags with the delivery boy or buy them. The jute bag costs Rs260 apiece.

Tavisi said they reuse the bag for another delivery, until it is completely worn out.

Tavisi provides a card with every delivery. The card is made by one of the women empowerment and social change organisations that Tavisi works in collaboration with.

“The intention of offering the card is to spread the word and provide greater visibility to these organisations that are working for the greater good of society,” according to Tavisi.

The company said its objective is to ease the busy lives of women by making their shopping experience more informed, convenient and hassle-free.

“We created Tavisi targeting women. We only buy goods from authorised distributors to ensure quality,” said Palas.

She said that they are working on a new venture. “We are launching a digital magazine soon, which would include lifestyle content and stories on fashion, and women empowerment.”

Palas added: “We are not just trying to position ourselves as an online shopping platform, we are trying to build a community and create a story. As we are encouraging women to shop online, we need to promote the digital economy.”

The company is encouraging women to buy things online, especially those who are hesitant about using digital platforms.

Palas Joshi held a regular job before she started the online business.

“Leaving the job and starting my own business was my own decision because I had that vision of starting a business and becoming independent,” she added.