My name is Bikas Shahi, and I come from Rupa Rural Municipality-4 in Kaski. In 2005, I made the bold decision to leave my studies in Nepal unfinished and travel to the UAE in search of work. What began as a journey to provide for my future has evolved into a life I am deeply proud of, alongside my wife, two daughters, and a son. My wife, too, played an important role in our journey, working as a Sales Associate at Al-Futtaim Group during our time in the UAE.

I landed my first job through a recruitment company in Nepal, which provided a free visa and air ticket after I successfully passed the interview. This marked the beginning of my journey in the UAE, where I started working at Emarat Company as an Assistant Customer Service Representative for about 33 months. The initial phase was challenging as I had to adjust to a new country with its hot climate, which was quite a struggle. After that, I moved on to Fine Hygienic Paper as a Sales Executive, where I worked for another 33 months. My last job before starting my own business was at Al Rashideen Trading Company, where I worked as a Territory Sales Executive for several years.

When I first arrived in the UAE, my salary was under 1,000 dirhams. By the time I left my last job, it had grown to more than 10,000 dirhams. While this was a testament to my hard work, the journey was not without challenges. As a newcomer from Nepal, I had no mentor to guide me. There were very few Nepalese people around, and most of the others were from neighboring countries, already established at senior levels. There were times when I felt isolated and uncertain, but I never let those feelings define my path. I realized that the key to overcoming these challenges was my own potential, my determination, and my willingness to keep pushing forward.

From a young age, I always believed that I could do something of my own. I kept asking myself, “If others can achieve success, why can’t I?” What makes them different from me? This question fueled my decision to start business, and in partnership with three friends, we founded Sayapatri Restaurant. The road was filled with struggles. We lacked investment, knowledge, and experience. The challenges seemed endless. But we poured our heart and soul into the business, doing everything from washing dishes and cleaning tables to interacting with customers and personally sourcing vegetables. There were times I doubted myself, but my unwavering belief in my dream kept me going.

Today, I am proud to have a team of dedicated employees who have been with me for over 10 years. I provide them with health insurance, travel tickets, and the necessary support in accordance with government regulations, ensuring they feel valued. It has been an incredibly fulfilling experience to see not just my business grow, but to also witness the growth of those around me. The stability I have achieved today is the result of hard work, dedication, and a deep passion for my businesses. We currently own three restaurants and Sayapatri Travel & Tourism LLC, with plans to open another travel branch soon.

However, even with this progress, I know that I have not yet reached my full potential. We employ over 70 people, and I still feel that I have much more to accomplish. There are always new opportunities on the horizon, and I am committed to exploring them in the near future. Alongside my entrepreneurial work, I have been an active member of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) for over 8 years, and I am currently social serving as the President of NRNA UAE from 2023 to 2025. Through this role, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the community and help ease the hardships of fellow Nepali brothers and sisters living abroad.

To anyone reading my story, I want to share this simple yet powerful message: Work hard, give your best effort, and never get discouraged. Success doesn’t happen overnight—everything takes time. Be patient with yourself, and stay consistent with your hard work. Set achievable goals and celebrate every small victory along the way. Learn from the stories of successful people, and use their experiences to guide your own journey. Keep pushing forward, and success will eventually follow.

I believe in speaking less and doing more. It’s not about making grand speeches; it’s about taking action and creating your own path to success. Stay focused, stay determined, and the world will open up in ways you never imagined.