From Selling Cheese Balls and Washing Dishes in Thamel to Building Shoe Spa Nepal: Tula Ram Ghale’s Inspiring Journey of Starting Again

A Dream That Ended at 18, and a New Promise to Himself

Tula Ram Ghale was born and raised in Barpak, Gorkha, where joining the British Army has long been considered a proud family tradition. At the age of 18, he faced what he describes as his first major failure when he was unable to continue that legacy. The disappointment was heartbreaking, and he eventually had to stop his studies as well. At that difficult point in his life, Ghale made a promise to himself that he would not go abroad simply to earn money. Instead, he decided to build his future and create opportunities in Nepal.

Selling Cheese Balls on a Bicycle in Thamel

After returning from Pokhara, Ghale began his working life as a salesman for CG. He sold Cheese Balls while riding a bicycle around Thamel. It was a modest beginning, but it became one of the first steps in a journey that would take him through different jobs, industries and eventually entrepreneurship.

From Salesman to Dishwasher

Ghale later worked as a dishwasher at Manang Momo in Thamel. During this period, he was still searching for a direction that could help him build a stable future. An opportunity to work as a trekking porter would soon change the course of his career.

A 24-Day Trek Changed His Direction

Ghale received the chance to work as a trekking porter and completed a 24-day trek. He says the money he earned from that journey was more than he had ever imagined earning at the time. The experience helped him realize that adventure tourism was where he wanted to build his career.

Fifteen Years of Hard Work in Adventure Tourism

What began with work as a trekking porter gradually became a long-term career. Ghale spent 15 years working through dedication, hard work and what he describes as countless struggles. Eventually, he achieved his dream of becoming a trekking and tour organizer. Reaching that point gave him stability and a sense of achievement, but he still wanted to challenge himself by creating something innovative and solving a real problem.

A Simple Pair of Shoes Sparked a New Idea

Around eight months ago, after returning from the mountains, Ghale’s sister washed his shoes. The simple act made him think about the time and effort required to properly clean and dry footwear, particularly for people with busy lives in Kathmandu. Ghale says he could not sleep that night because he kept thinking about one idea: every problem can be an opportunity, and solving problems creates value.

Six Months of Research Before Taking the Risk

Instead of treating the thought as a passing idea, Ghale began researching the modern footwear care industry. For six months, he studied shoe care and restoration. One day, while scrolling through TikTok, he came across a shoe-cleaning machine made in China. That moment gave him the inspiration to establish Shoe Spa Nepal.

A Machine from China and a 45-Day Wait

Ghale ordered the shoe-cleaning machine from China and began looking for a suitable location for the business. After waiting around 45 days, the equipment finally arrived in Kathmandu. With the support of a few close friends, Shoe Spa Nepal was officially launched on February 14.

TikTok Helped Turn the Idea into a Visible Business

Social media played an important role from the beginning. The first TikTok video uploaded by Shoe Spa Nepal was posted in the middle of the night and received more than 50,000 views within a short time. According to Ghale, that same video has now reached nearly 700,000 views. TikTok had helped him discover the shoe-cleaning machine, and the same platform also became a major source of visibility for the new business.

Around 2,500 Pairs of Shoes Cleaned in Four Months

In just four months, Shoe Spa Nepal says it cleaned around 2,500 pairs of shoes. Of those, around 500 pairs were cleaned free of charge during the company’s opening month. The business is now located at Buddha Mall, Machhapokhari, and its team has grown to four staff members, including two women and two men.

More Than Just Shoe Cleaning

Shoe Spa Nepal began with professional shoe cleaning, but the business has since expanded its services. It now provides repair, restoration, repainting and wider footwear care services. Ghale says the company is committed to continuous learning and improving its skills because the larger goal is to help build Nepal’s modern footwear care industry, not simply operate as a shoe laundry.

A Plan to Create More Opportunities for Women

As Shoe Spa Nepal grows, Ghale wants employment generation to become an important part of the company’s future. The business plans to employ at least 70 percent women as part of its effort to promote women’s empowerment and create more employment opportunities.

Inclusive Employment for People with Hearing Disabilities

The company also aims to train and employ people with hearing disabilities in shoe repair and restoration. Ghale wants the business to create inclusive employment opportunities while helping people develop practical skills that can support long-term work.

Giving Old Shoes a Second Life

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Shoe Spa Nepal has launched the Old Shoes Bank. Through the initiative, people can donate used shoes they no longer need. Wearable shoes are cleaned, repaired and donated to people in need and to communities in remote areas of Nepal.

Upcycling Shoes That Cannot Be Reused

Shoes that cannot be reused are not simply discarded. Shoe Spa Nepal says such footwear is reserved for its upcycling projects. The initiative is intended to reduce waste while supporting the company’s goal of becoming a more environmentally responsible footwear care business.

Plans to Expand Across Kathmandu and Nepal

Looking ahead, Ghale plans to expand Shoe Spa Nepal by opening more service centers across Kathmandu and eventually throughout Nepal. The expansion plan is also connected to the company’s goal of creating more employment opportunities and increasing public awareness about proper footwear care.

A Vision Built Around Innovation, Sustainability and Responsibility

Shoe Spa Nepal’s long-term vision is to become one of Nepal’s leading eco-friendly footwear care companies. The company wants to combine innovation, sustainability and social responsibility while developing a professional footwear care industry in the country.

From Struggle to Entrepreneurship

Ghale’s journey did not follow a straight path. He experienced disappointment at 18, stopped his studies, sold Cheese Balls on a bicycle in Thamel, worked as a dishwasher, became a trekking porter and spent 15 years building a career in adventure tourism before becoming a trekking and tour organizer. Even after achieving that goal, he chose to begin again with a completely different idea.

Choosing to Build a Future in Nepal

The decision Ghale made when he was younger continues to shape his journey today. Rather than leaving Nepal simply to earn money, he wanted to create his future here. Shoe Spa Nepal has become the latest chapter in that promise, with a vision that goes beyond business to include employment, inclusion, sustainability and social responsibility.

An Everyday Problem Turned into a New Opportunity

The story of Shoe Spa Nepal began with something as ordinary as washing a pair of shoes. Ghale identified the inconvenience, researched the industry, found a possible solution and took the risk of turning it into a business. His journey reflects how entrepreneurship can begin by paying attention to everyday problems and finding practical ways to solve them.

A Message for Young Nepalis

Through his journey, Ghale hopes more young Nepalis will believe that success can also be built within Nepal. His story shows that setbacks can lead to new directions and that years of experience in one field can become the foundation for another beginning. From Barpak to Thamel, from trekking routes to entrepreneurship, his journey continues with a simple goal: to build something meaningful at home.