When Kishor Gartaula faced a plumbing problem, he could not get a reliable handyman service, or any handyman service at all. Then he thought of all the people who found themselves in similar circumstances as him. Through his entrepreneurship- Hamro Repair, he aspires to create a service ecosystem that provides repair service solutions to households and businesses.
1. Tell me about your journey to starting your ventures? When did it start?
Few years back, I had a plumbing problem, but there were no plumbers available to fix my issue. That’s when I realized that there was a market gap. I imagined a company that ensured the availability of plumbers at ones’ doorstep at any time when needed. So. to recognize the need, I carried out a market survey, and I found that I was not the only one who was facing this problem; there were many people out there going through a similar ordeal. So, from there on, the idea of Hamro repair was developed.
2. What is the legal status of your company? How did you raise funds to start your company?
We haven’t registered as a company yet. However, I do have a business layout and I have provided 2 to 3 services to check for sustainability.
We funded the company through our savings.
3. What stage is the company in?
Hamro Repair is currently at a start-up phase. We have started our operation, prepared a revenue model, but we are yet to market Hamro Repair and make more people aware of its presence.
4. What social problem are you trying to solve, and what social changes do you see your service bringing in the society?
One of the major problems that we are trying to address is that of unemployment. The working population of Nepal is on the rise, but the majority of them are unemployed, which is why an active population of the country, especially the youths are leaving for better job opportunities. So through Hamro Repair, we are working to provide employment opportunities.
In addition to this, most of the unskilled and semi-skilled human resources of Nepal are underpaid and are deprived of friendly working environment. This is another reason why people migrate to foreign lands despite all the hardships. Through Hamro Repair we will provide these individuals jobs that ensure both handsome wage and suitable work environment.
5. What is your current staff strength and how many people did you start with?
Currently, we are a team of five and each of us look over an independent department. Additionally, we have 20 to 25 workers outhouse employees who work as repairers.
6. What are the major challenges that you face as a company?
One of the major challenges that we are facing is related to the uncertainty of service provided by the repairers. This can have a huge impact on Hamro Repair because it may lead to negative branding.
Finance is another challenge as the charges levied by repairers is high because they are working as freelancers.
Marketing and promoting Hamro Repair is also another challenge.
7. How did you overcome your challenges?
We are planning to have in house repair-men as soon as possible as that will allow us to be certain about our work. For marketing, we are planning to create a brand value and attracting as many clients as possible, and for this, we are planning to use the social media platform. We are also thinking of having a brand ambassador.
8. Who are your target customers?
Youths are our main target customers but we will be targeting older generations in the future. We are also targeting business houses and we will work with them on a contract basis.
9. How many customers (monthly basis) or client do you have?
Like said earlier we only provide 2 to 3 services as of now but after Hamro Repair is well established in the market we will have around 20 to 25 customers on a daily basis.
10. Is the business based on a self-sufficiency or profit-making model?
At the moment, we don’t have in-house repairers but are in contact with 20-25 workers from different places in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Thus, we contact them on the basis of need and proximity to the area that requires the service.
Currently, we have a website, social media, and phone call platform where customers can easily contact us. Our minimum charge, for now, is Rs.100 and total costs are estimated as per various degrees of problems. The repairer pays us 50% and keeps another 50% of the total revenue.
11. What are the key needs of your company? Do you consider yourself as a Social Entrepreneur?
The most important need is mentorship. Secondly, we also need marketing TOOLS and expertise to promote Hamro Repair. I am in the first stage of social entrepreneurship, I have a long way to go before I label myself as one.
12. Do you measure the impact of your product/service? If not what are your thoughts about impact measurement?
We will keep records of the customers who have used our services. Likewise, we will also evaluate whether the customers are satisfied with our service or not, to measure the impact.
13. What are your future plans?
Initially, we will provide services in three main districts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. After achieving full operations, Hamro Repairis planning to impose one man one job business model, this we believe will ensure diversification and efficiency.
After which we plan on expanding to other areas of Nepal. We will hire freelancers outside the valley and will work with them on a commission basis.
For more information about Hamro Repair, connect with Kishor Gartaula at kishorgartaula@nullgmail.com.
Interviewed and article by Trishna Shakya.
