We were lucky to catch up with Bindu Marasini recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bindu, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My father left Nepal for the United States when I was just two years old. For ten years, he worked as a chef in Houston, Texas, saving up enough money to reunite his family in America. Because of my dad’s sacrifice, my mother, three siblings, and I were able to join him in the winter of my 11th year. I learned English, played soccer, worked in the summers, and helped my mother with the garden at home. She never let me, nor my siblings, forget the importance of fresh, homegrown produce. Both of my parents showed me how to persevere through hard times and “grow through what you go through”. My dad’s unwavering effort to earn his family’s spot in America is a constant inspiration for me to work hard and take advantage of the opportunity he gave me. My mom’s respect for the land and its abundance inspires me to incorporate fresh ingredients into Bindu Bites, no matter how much extra work this can be. I learned to nurture our land, and in return, the land nurtures me. I am so grateful for all of the lessons this life has taught me and my family, and I will continue to be inspired by the work ethic of my family.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I received my masters in Accounting from Texas Tech University, and began to work my way up the corporate ladder. Somewhere along the way, one of those steps broke, and I had to take a second look at my path. To continue climbing a broken ladder, or start over on the ground floor of another venture? Weighing the options showed me that independence will always tip the scale. In the early summer of 2021, Bindu Bites was born, and the real adventure began! I started crafting recipes that reflected the flavors of my youth. Chicken momos & meatballs, veggie momos, sesame based sauces, cilantro based sauces, and mint based sauces: all staples of my home in Nepal. Through trial and error (more times than I like to count), my dumplings and sauces began to take a beautiful shape. The crafting of handmade dumplings is a labor of love, evident in their folds and flavors. I always look forward to the smile that creeps across my customer’s face as they sink their teeth into their first momo. We are currently expanding our number of farmers markets, events, and retail stores, all in hopes of getting the Bindu Bites name out there. We want to spread the bold flavors of Nepal in the freshest, healthiest ways possible.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Everything matters! All of life’s experiences are preparation for the next step of your journey. Every skill you hone, every fact you learn, every person you meet. The three areas of knowledge that have been most impactful on my journey are: participating in CPG start-up cohorts, forming relationships with other businesses in the farmers market scene, and maintaining trust in the process even when it feels like it will never end. It is so important to participate in groups of people/businesses that are in a similar boat as you because you may be able to learn lessons from them without making the same mistakes, and vice-versa. These cohorts provide the opportunity for developing your brand and expanding your connections, which are integral in succeeding with a small business. It is also so important to make connections in the workplace! Having a small business that is active in the farmers market scene means being active in the community. A lot of these brands have similar goals and dreams as me, and together we inspire each other to grow. It is also nice to build relationships in your community because these people will offer insights that you never knew you needed. Lastly, stay strong! Don’t lose your determination, because if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
It is so important to have hobbies! Owning a small business will literally take up 100% of your time, but you can’t let it! Burnout is a real risk in this line of work and it is important to take breaks and remind yourself that there is more to life! For me, my passion outside of Bindu Bites is weightlifting. I make sure I go to the gym every day to practice my skills and give myself a break from Bindu Bites. I enjoy competing around Texas and the United States, putting my skills to the test, and keeping my body in shape. It is so easy to develop a negative relationship with your business if you are not careful. Give yourself grace and time to grow individually, not just professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: bindubites.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bindubites
- Facebook: facebook.com/bindubites
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bindu-bites
- Youtube: youtube.com/@bindubites
- Other: shop.bindubites.com
Image Credits
Dillon James – Photographer & Student in Austin, Texas
