Scaling Himalayan Heights: The Journey of Rinzing Choden Bhutia's Herbal Business

Rinzing Choden Bhutia, a Sikkim-based entrepreneur, is expanding her herbal product business targeting international markets and seeking a second round of $500,000 in funding. Her business empowers local women, including abuse survivors and HIV-positive individuals, by training them in product creation. The business faces funding challenges but has garnered attention from international investors.

Rinzing Choden Bhutia, a pioneering female entrepreneur from Sikkim, is making strides in the herbal product industry by scaling up her Himalayan-origin business. Currently, she seeks a second round of funding amounting to $500,000 from international investors to broaden her market reach.

The enterprise, known for its handcrafted soaps and skincare items, employs women who have faced sexual abuse or tribal housewives with no prior income. Bhutia emphasized that while the journey to international markets is challenging, the effort is essential for the financial empowerment of these women.

Bhutia's startup, Agapi Sikkim, has already trained 300 women and plans to include 21 HIV-positive women in its next training phase. Operating on a budget that initially raised $100,000, the business is attracting attention from both American investors and Indian retail giants like Reliance Swadesh. Bhutia has also secured collaborations with local farmers to source herbal ingredients.