{"id":687607,"date":"2026-07-12T12:23:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/687607\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T12:23:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:23:12","slug":"passion-to-profession-how-meghalayas-young-entrepreneurs-are-building-the-states-future-one-skill-at-a-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/687607\/","title":{"rendered":"Passion to Profession: How Meghalaya\u2019s Young Entrepreneurs Are Building the State\u2019s Future, One Skill at a Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Daniella Dawn Lyngwa<\/p>\n

For decades, success in Meghalaya largely followed a familiar path. Young people completed their education, prepared for competitive examinations and aspired to secure a government job or a position in the corporate sector. Entrepreneurship, particularly among first-generation business owners, was often viewed as a risky alternative rather than a preferred career choice.Today, that narrative is gradually changing.<\/p>\n

A New Generation Of Entrepreneurs<\/p>\n

Across Shillong and other parts of the state, a new generation of entrepreneurs is proving that skills, creativity and innovation can be transformed into sustainable businesses. They are identifying gaps in the market, solving everyday problems and building ventures that not only create livelihoods for themselves but also generate employment, encourage local talent and contribute to Meghalaya\u2019s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
From hygienic packaged ice and handcrafted cakes to gourmet burgers, sustainable fashion and event technology, these startups may operate in different industries, but they are united by a common belief that opportunities are often created rather than found.
For many of them, the journey did not begin with substantial capital or sophisticated business plans. Instead, it began with simple observations and the courage to act on them.<\/p>\n

Finding Opportunity In Everyday Problems<\/p>\n

\"\"For founder of MeghaChill, Pyndap Kharwanlang, the inspiration came shortly after returning to Meghalaya after spending nearly a decade away.
\u201cI had just moved back after living 10 years in the city and I found it really odd that there was no consistent supply of clean ice,\u201d he recalls. \u201cThat made me realise there was a simple problem worth solving.\u201d
What seemed like a minor inconvenience soon revealed a significant gap in the local market. Whether it was family gatherings, restaurants, caf\u00e9s or special occasions, finding hygienic, food-grade packaged ice was often difficult.
Determined to change that, Kharwanlang established MeghaChill, a brand built around quality, hygiene and convenience.
\u201cBefore MeghaChill, Meghalaya didn\u2019t really have a dedicated supplier of food-grade packaged ice for everyday consumption,\u201d he says. \u201cWe wanted to make sure people could access clean, reliable ice whenever they needed it.\u201d
His story illustrates how entrepreneurship often begins by recognising problems that others have simply learned to live with.
A similar story of identifying opportunity during uncertainty unfolded for founder of La Vida Cakes and Bakes and Craftastic by MVT, Mandisa Vida Tariang.
Like millions across the country, Tariang found herself confined at home during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. While many struggled with anxiety and uncertainty, she decided to use the time to learn something new.
Armed with nothing more than an old oven, a small investment and plenty of determination, she began experimenting with baking.
\"\"Every recipe became a lesson. Every cake became an opportunity to improve.
What started as a hobby soon developed into a successful home-based baking business.
At almost the same time, she rediscovered another passion that is handcrafted art.
Beginning with recycled glass bottles that she transformed into decorative pieces, her creative journey gradually expanded into hand-painted earthen pots, customised gifts, bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, personalised wedding invitations, signage boards and handcrafted wedding accessories.
Looking back, she says the lockdown changed her life. \u201cWhat began as boredom during lockdown evolved into two businesses built from passion, creativity and perseverance,\u201d she reflects. Her businesses today are centred around personalisation.
Whether customers approach her for a customised birthday cake or handcrafted wedding d\u00e9cor, her focus remains the same which is creating products that reflect individual stories while remaining affordable. \u201cI always encourage customers to share their budget,\u201d she says. \u201cI believe meaningful handcrafted products should be accessible to everyone.\u201d
Sometimes inspiration comes from life\u2019s simplest moments.<\/p>\n

From Simple Ideas To Successful Businesses<\/p>\n

\"\"For brothers Nick Passah and Brandon Lyngdoh, founders of 2 Bois & A Burger, the business idea emerged after eating a burger that failed to impress them.
\u201cWe had a burger we didn\u2019t enjoy,\u201d Nick recalls. \u201cIt got us thinking that we can do better.\u201d
Nick approached his brother Brandon, a chef, and together they began discussing the type of burger they themselves wanted to eat. That conversation eventually became one of Shillong\u2019s growing smash burger ventures.
The brothers believed there was room in the city\u2019s food scene for authentic smash burgers prepared with fresh ingredients and consistent quality. Their hospitality background proved invaluable. Beyond cooking, it taught them customer service, teamwork and the importance of consistency. \u201cRunning the business keeps teaching us every day,\u201d Nick says.
For founders of SooLa, Glorissa Kalra War and Wanda Kharakor, the journey into entrepreneurship was less about solving a market problem and more about creating something meaningful together.
Both found themselves reaching the end of their employment contracts at around the same time. Standing at a crossroads, they began discussing what they truly wanted to build.Fashion had always played different roles in their lives.
While Wanda naturally gravitated towards sketching designs and creating collections, Glorissa found herself drawn towards curation, concepts and business operations.
\u201cNeither of us could have built this alone,\u201d Glorissa says.
Together they launched SooLa\u2014a slow fashion brand that offers curated collections, bespoke garments, styling consultations, garment rentals and customised clothing while maintaining sustainability through upcycling textile waste.
Their approach aims to bridge the gap between inexpensive mass-produced clothing and costly bespoke fashion. Instead of asking customers to choose one extreme or the other, SooLa offers personalised yet accessible alternatives. Most recently, the business has also begun exploring business-to-business collaborations, opening another avenue for growth.Technology has also become fertile ground for entrepreneurship.
For\u00a0 founder of Onlybees, Balajied Sungoh, inspiration came through Shillong\u2019s thriving music and events scene.
Working closely with grassroots music projects, he repeatedly noticed organisers relying on handwritten lists, paper tickets, cash payments and direct messages to coordinate events.
\u201cThe creative community didn\u2019t need more talent,\u201d he says. \u201cIt needed better tools.\u201d
Onlybees has since evolved into an integrated event management platform that handles registrations, online ticketing, customer relationship management, analytics, access control and event operations for organisers across the Northeast. Instead of forcing local organisers to depend on platforms designed elsewhere, Onlybees offers solutions tailored specifically to the region.
Although their businesses differ dramatically, the entrepreneurs agree on one thing\u2014technical skills alone are never enough. Communication, consistency, adaptability and problem-solving emerged repeatedly as the qualities that determine whether a startup survives.<\/p>\n

Learning Beyond Classroom<\/p>\n

For Kharwanlang, several years in the corporate sector helped him develop professionalism and planning. However, he believes entrepreneurship has become his greatest teacher.\u201cEvery challenge teaches you something new,\u201d he says.
Tariang\u2019s education came largely through self-learning.Inspired by her mother\u2019s creativity and her aunt\u2019s baking, she relied heavily on online tutorials, experimentation and countless hours of practice. \u201cRunning both businesses became my biggest classroom,\u201d she says.
Sungoh offers a similar perspective. \u201cThe internet became my university,\u201d he laughs. \u201cThere was no manual for building a ticketing company in Shillong. Every event became a classroom.\u201d While passion often starts a business, perseverance is what sustains it.
Each entrepreneur recalls moments of uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Overcoming Challenges One Step At A Time<\/p>\n

For MeghaChill, one of the biggest challenges involved convincing customers to trust a completely new packaged ice brand. Building confidence requires patience, consistency and delivering quality every single time. \u201cPeople naturally stick to what they already know,\u201d Kharwanlang says. \u201cWe had to earn that trust.\u201d
For Tariang, limited resources were the first obstacle. She managed every aspect of the business herself\"\"\u2014from baking and crafting to sourcing materials, marketing products and arranging deliveries. \u201cThe only way to build credibility was by consistently delivering quality,\u201d she says.
For Nick and Brandon, introducing smash burgers to Shillong presented its own challenge. Many customers were unfamiliar with the concept. Instead of rushing expansion, they concentrated on serving quality food and allowing satisfied customers to spread the word. \u201cWord of mouth became our strongest marketing,\u201d Nick says.
SooLa\u2019s challenges extended beyond fashion. The founders had to navigate registrations, legal compliance, pricing strategies and assembling the right team. Yet one obstacle continues to affect them even today. \u201cAccess to affordable raw materials remains one of our biggest challenges,\u201d Glorissa explains. \u201cWe often have to order online or travel to Guwahati or Delhi to source suitable fabrics. Better local availability would make a huge difference for textile and craft businesses in Meghalaya.\u201d
Onlybees, meanwhile, faced a different hurdle. Many organisers were initially reluctant to replace traditional paper ticketing with a locally developed digital platform. Rather than relying on aggressive marketing, Sungoh chose visibility. \u201cWe showed up at every event, delivered consistently and let the results speak for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Role Of PRIME Meghalaya<\/p>\n

Several entrepreneurs credit the Meghalaya government\u2019s PRIME Meghalaya initiative for strengthening their journeys.
For Kharwanlang, financial assistance reduced the burden of starting while providing something equally valuable\u2014confidence. \u201cSomeone believing in your idea makes a huge difference.\u201d
Nick says PRIME provided mentorship, bootcamps, funding and practical business guidance after their startup was selected among its top ventures.
SooLa describes its experience as deeply personal. Winning the e-Championship and later joining an incubation programme opened access not only to funding but also to continuous mentorship and expert guidance. \u201cPeople weren\u2019t just handing us a cheque,\u201d Glorissa says. \u201cThey genuinely wanted us to succeed.\u201d
Although Tariang built her businesses independently, she believes government initiatives remain crucial in encouraging entrepreneurship through mentorship, networking and training.
Yet every entrepreneur interviewed agreed that funding alone cannot sustain businesses.<\/p>\n

More Than Funding: What Entrepreneurs Need<\/p>\n

Mentorship, market access, financial literacy, incubation facilities, easier compliance processes and stronger awareness of government schemes remain equally important.
Some also highlighted the need for shared makerspaces and incubation centres where entrepreneurs can test products before investing heavily in equipment.<\/p>\n

Technology Has Emerged As Another Powerful Equaliser<\/p>\n

\"\"For Tariang, social media transformed a home-based business into one serving customers across multiple districts and even outside Meghalaya. Instagram and WhatsApp became her storefront.
Onlybees naturally depends on technology itself. \u201cSocial media is our storefront,\u201d Sungoh says.
SooLa similarly uses Instagram alongside digital tools such as Canva, WhatsApp Business, spreadsheets and artificial intelligence to manage operations efficiently.<\/p>\n

Words of Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs<\/p>\n

Despite working in different sectors, their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs sounds remarkably alike.
\u201cDon\u2019t wait until you feel completely ready,\u201d says Kharwanlang. \u201cBelieve in yourself and start,\u201d Tariang advises. \u201cJust start, no matter how small your idea is,\u201d Nick emphasises. \u201cStart messier than you think you need to,\u201d Glorissa adds.
Perhaps Sungoh summarises it best. \u201cFear usually comes from imagining the whole journey at once. You only need to see the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building Meghalaya\u2019s Entrepreneurial Future<\/p>\n

Their ambitions extend far beyond personal success.
Kharwanlang hopes MeghaChill becomes the first name people think of whenever they think of packaged ice.
Nick and Brandon envision expanding their burger brand to new locations while creating more employment opportunities.
Tariang hopes to introduce new products, collaborate with local artisans and encourage people to support locally made products.
SooLa plans to expand beyond Meghalaya while building a collective that nurtures future designers and entrepreneurs.
Onlybees hopes to become the operating system powering creative events across the Northeast and eventually the rest of India while continuing to employ and train local talent.
Collectively, these entrepreneurs represent something larger than individual success stories.
They reflect a changing mindset among Meghalaya\u2019s youth\u2014one that values innovation alongside employment, skills alongside degrees and entrepreneurship alongside conventional careers.
Their journeys demonstrate that successful businesses do not always begin with massive investments or perfect conditions.
Sometimes they begin with an old oven. Sometimes with a disappointing burger. Sometimes with the absence of clean ice. Sometimes with fabric scraps. And sometimes simply with the decision to take the first step.
As Meghalaya continues nurturing its startup ecosystem through initiatives such as PRIME and other entrepreneurial support programmes, stories like these suggest that the state\u2019s future economy may increasingly be shaped not only by those seeking jobs, but also those creating them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Daniella Dawn Lyngwa For decades, success in Meghalaya largely followed a familiar path. Young people completed their…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":687608,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[84,4203,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-687607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entrepreneurship","tag-business","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=687607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687607\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/687608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=687607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=687607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=687607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}