As an avid computer user, Leki Dawa noticed a gap in the market for affordable and high-quality printer cartridges in Bhutan. Most of the printer cartridges in the country were being imported from neighboring countries, which made them expensive due to transportation costs and import taxes. This led Leki to start his own cartridge business in his hometown. Leki’s business started with a small investment, but he quickly gained popularity among the locals. He made sure that the cartridges he sold were of the best quality and priced competitively. As the demand for his products grew, Leki expanded his business so-called Bhutan Alternatives.

Starting a business in Thimphu was not without its challenges. Leki faced difficulties in sourcing the raw materials needed for the production of the cartridges. He had to import some of the components from other countries, which increased the cost of production. However, Leki was determined to overcome these challenges. He took several courses in entrepreneurship, attended workshops and networking events to learn more about the industry, and connected with other local entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and experiences.

“I have faced lots of challenges in this journey of business life, those challenges made my life interesting, and overcoming all of it resulted in meaningful,” he said. Leki’s dedication and hard work paid off, and his business started to thrive. He became a role model for many aspiring entrepreneurs in Bhutan, inspiring them to follow their dreams and make a difference in their communities.

Today, Bhutan Alternative’s cartridge business has become one of the most successful in the country,
providing employment opportunities to many people in his community. He has also been recognized by the Bhutanese government for his contribution to the country’s economy.

Leki’s story is an inspiration to all those who dream of starting their own business but may feel discouraged by the challenges they face. His journey shows that with determination, hard work, and a passion for making a difference, anyone can succeed as an entrepreneur. “First of all, my motivation was not to become an entrepreneur but to help under privilege youth who migrate from rural areas to urban areas for a better future and income to live,” he said, adding that Bhutan Alternative is formed just to help society in small quantity.

“Even if it makes a single person’s life change then it is a great success,” he said. He added that Bhutan Alternative means solution. Not only to recycle E-waste but to bring change in individual life. “I worked at different private sectors or NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) which directly or indirectly contributed to the Bhutanese economy.” According to him, Jaigaon is a place where various
international products can be seen and sold which become his gateways. In line with that many products entering from Jaigaon to different 20 dzongkhag routes made him come up with organic branding meaning marketing in a sustainable way.

Additionally, his idea become broad enough in that he sold his cartridge to Jaigaon vendors or entrepreneurs that have connections with Bhutanese entrepreneurs inside Bhutan. With a minimum rate, he exports 4000 cartridges to Jaigaon, and Jaigaon supplies the same products to 20 dzongkhags of Bhutan.

As he mentioned he was able to help more than 200 youths who were struggling for living and search for jobs in the urban areas. However, he is still not satisfied in his business sector but looking at the progress and helping younger youths or future changes.

Moreover, his products are recognized and well-known now – which makes him proud and satisfied. Even his efforts made it possible to supply to ministries, cooperate sectors and distribute many dzongkhags as well as he was able to supply in Nepal. Thus, to make this business more international level, he aims to supply or distribute in neighboring countries like SAARC countries.

In his walk of life, in business, he didn’t receive any guidance or proper directions from other people but he always teaches or plays the role of mentor to his staff and officials to become responsible and confident about making their own decisions and also shaping their moral ethics.

His mission and vision are to become a social entrepreneur and create – a Bhutan alternative comprising or consisting of solving societal issues, reducing environmental problems, and to contribute the country’s economy. As an entrepreneur, he divulges that we need wells set boundaries, set time for personal life, family, friends, for other activities, and set limits to his work time. “Entrepreneurship or Business” risk is part of it so they have to make a day-to-day plan or long-term plan in which its evaluation is balanced properly and managed well.

In line with that when coming up with innovations or products, he said that they have to be clever enough before bringing products to the market. “In their main process of plan, the product or services should be in line with market size (population) and importance or how much it is necessary for life as well as should be studying its policies.”

In 2019, his business sold 30% of shareholders in crowdfunding which was approximately Nu 8.4 million and they were the first online crowdfunding. “Dynamic changes and future of entrepreneurs,” Leki said, adding that comparing before and looking at the current situation he thinks there won’t be many people interested in entrepreneurship in the coming days. He shared that the drastic changes or transformation of laws and policies after the Covid pandemic has hugely affected manufacturing companies, the agricultural sector, and entrepreneurs. This leads entrepreneurs directly to leave their roles or position and opt for another opportunity.

Therefore, he says it’s hard to be entrepreneurs in the future and hardly can see development taking place due to the transformation of policies. The network of entrepreneurs supported by Jabchor has
been instrumental in helping Bhutan Alternatives grow and succeed. Through the Jabchor program, Bhutan Alternatives has been able to connect with other social entrepreneurs who are also focused on creating positive change in their communities.

One of the most significant benefits of being a part of the Jabchor community is the access to a diverse range of knowledge and expertise. Bhutan Alternatives has been able to tap into the collective wisdom of other entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges and overcome them. This has helped them to develop new strategies for growth, improve their business operations, and stay ahead of the competition.

By Rinzin Dema