Reviving Nepal’s craft

What began as a joint effort to research Nepal’s natural resources has now become a global representation of indigenous craftsmanship, and empowering women.

Arati Subba and Samriddhi Gurung were raised in the UK, had years of experience in the fashion industry, and found themselves in Nepal during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I always wanted to explore what Nepal naturally offers,” says Gurung. “After a lot of research, we discovered that beeswax is a biowaste that lasts three times longer than soy or paraffin wax.”

She researched the local market for lifestyle products, and found only paraffin candles for sale. So, they thought, why not create beeswax candles?

Together, they set up Riti Studio and have now diversified from candles to grow into a business in sustainable lifestyle products. 

Based in Nepal and Hong Kong, Riti's all-women team now also handcrafts candles, incense sticks, and ceramics. It strives to preserve Nepal’s craft traditions.

“Do you know how to hand-roll incense sticks by yourself?” Gurung asks. “My grandmother still does it, but neither my mother nor I know how to do that. So, this is an effort to preserve our generational craft, and take it further.”

The entrepreneur duo define their approach as ‘slow luxury of artisanal quality’ and collaborate with local artisans. Each ceramic piece, for example, is hand-crafted, reflecting the skill and dedication of those involved.

“Every piece is unique in itself,” says Subba. “The design is the same, but the actual printwork, texture, it is all different.”

Sustainability remains a key priority, but financial viability is also important. In the early days, the two scoured nearly every honey shop they could find.

Most honey sellers in Nepal also have their own farms where they source raw materials. Their search extended beyond honey, as they also sought local suppliers for ceramics and packaging.

After finding the right materials, they sampled to ensure quality. Only then did they move to production and marketing, for which Nepali language was a must.

“It was really hard to communicate and try to sound smart in Nepali while meeting with the suppliers at first,” she recalls. The language barrier meant some suppliers did not take her seriously in a largely male-dominated society. 

Things changed when the men started noticing their professionalism. “Now, the men are much more appreciative of who we are, and we are taken more seriously,” adds Gurung.

The name Riti comes from the idea of having one’s own little ritual, focusing on self-care and self-love and the Nepali term रीती रिवाज, meaning rituals.

When asked if they had any advice for other entrepreneurs just starting out, Gurung says, “You have to put your head down and get to work. Stop listening to the noise outside and stay focused.”

Subba pipes in: “Find what interests you, and make something beautiful out of it.” 

Read also: Return to nature